Russell biodiversity values

1. Opportunities in
Biodiversity

2. What is Biodiversity?
“The variety of life forms: the different plants, animals and
microorganisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they
form.
It is usually considered at three levels: genetic diversity, species
diversity and ecosystem diversity.”
(National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia‟s Biological
Diversity).

3. What is biodiversity?
Species Diversity
The variety of different
plant and animal species
in an area.

4. What is biodiversity?
Genetic diversity
This describes the variety of genetic
information contained in individual plants,
animals and microorganisms.

5. What is biodiversity?
Ecosystem diversity
the variety of habitats and ecological processes, as well
as the tremendous diversity present within ecosystems
in terms of habitat differences

6. Ecosystem Services
“The economy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the environment” Paul
Hawkins
Ecosystem services provided by nature include:
Biological control Predator control by prey species
Climate regulation Greenhouse gas regulation
Cultural Aesthetics; recreational, educational,
spiritual benefits
Disturbance regulation Storm protection, flood control
Erosion control, sediment retention Prevention of loss of soil
Food production Production of fish, game, bush foods
Gas regulation CO2 /02 balance
Genetic resources Genes for resistance to plant pathogens and
crop pests

7. Ecosystem Services
Nutrient cycling Nitrogen fixation
Pollination Provision of pollinators
Raw materials Production of timber, fuel or fodder
Refugia Regional habitats for locally
harvested species
Soil formation Accumulation of organic material
Water supply Provision of water by watersheds,
reservoirs
Waste treatment Pollution control
Water regulation Provision of clean water for
agriculture

8. Ecosystem Services
Examples of ecosystem services supplying
Horticulture :
 Biological control
 Climate regulation
 Pollination
 Refugia
 Soil formation
 Water regulation
 Water supply
 Waste treatment

9. 100 Ibis eat up to 25 000 insects per day. These include
Grasshoppers and Locusts which are pest species on farms.

10. Ecosystem processes Economics
Aesthetics and culture Ethics

11. Current Financial
Opportunities
 Rate Rebates
 Rehabilitation/restoration grants
(envirofund; Threatened species network;
water quality and landcare)
 Nature Assist
 Covenants (VCAs; NCA; EPBC (income
tax);
 Land for Wildlife

12. Emerging Markets
‘Success goes to those who get to the
future first.’
- Peter Ellyard, Futurist.
 Carbon Credits
 Biodiversity Credits
 Environmental Stewardship Program
 Offsets

13. Carbon Credits
 Currently operating on offsetting carbon
emissions eg nrmacarbonators
 formalized when Australian Govt brings
in carbon trading framework in 2011
 Being established here with Degrees
Celcius and Terrain who are aiming to
look at covering Revegetation efforts.

14. Biodiversity Credits
 Not yet formally established
 Not yet included in carbon credit assessments
 Potential market for tourists and companies
looking for environmental and social credits
 Wet Tropics well placed to take advantage of
this market with unique biodiversity values

15. Environmental stewardship
 Aim: “to maintain and improve the quality and extent of targeted high
public value environmental assets on private land.”
 Will target environmental assets that are matters of National
Environmental Significance (NES) as listed under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999:
• nationally endangered or vulnerable species and ecological
communities;
• migratory species and wetlands for which Australia has
international responsibilities; and
• natural values associated with world and national heritage
places.
 Purchase outcomes from landholders through cost-effective
contracts for up to 15 years. Tender scheme, voluntary
management agreements or covenants.
 $50M over 4 years
 Works “above regulatory responsibilities”

16. Offsets
 Offset the impacts of developments
 Applied to similar areas where
disturbance takes place
 Currently occurring in Wet Tropics
 State and Federal Government policy
being developed

17. Other emerging markets
 Marketing advantage entering into an
Environmental Management (quality
assurance) System that includes biodiversity
criteria.
 Biotechnology and indigenous plant production
 Organic or environmentally sustainable food
 Developing and selling skills in environmental
management and restoration
 Accessing Ethical Investment funds for
business development

18. DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Patches
 Quality
 Protect the best native
vegetation first
 Size and number
 The bigger the better
 The more types of
habitat, the better

19. Design Principles
Shape and edges:
The more compact, the better
Consider „edge effects‟
Include buffers
Position
Include all land classes

20. Sites
Local significance
Include watercourses
Provide for threatened species (rare, vulnerable,
endangered)

21. Design Principles
Linkages
Connectivity and corridors:
The more connected, the better. Include corridors
Provide stepping stones

22. Design Principles
Matrix
Mosaics
Integrate nature conservation areas with
surrounding landuse

23. Nature in the landscape
The three Rs
 The priority for conserving flora and
fauna is to retain the priority remnant
vegetation that remains, restore the
quality of degraded habitats and then
revegetate cleared areas.

24. Partnerships
Community, corporate and government partnerships are the way of
the future and not only in NRM and Landcare.
• A shared vision, developed together (at some level);
• Some common outcome (desired and/or real);
• Sharing knowledge and experiences about the past, present and
future (your grandchildren);
• Ongoing commitment – recognizing the long term nature of NRM
activities;
• Ongoing facilitation and technical support from some partner/party;
• Agreed predictable responsibilities, accountabilities and
communication activities;
• Participatory decision making processes; and
• Celebrating successes.

25. Partnerships

26. Business motivation for partnerships with
community groups includes:
• Long term business sustainability;
• Links to their core business;
• Risk management (to new and existing
development);
• Establishment of a credible track record in
environmental activities eg; greenhouse;
• Early compliance with regulatory standards; or
• Inclusion in ethical investment funds;
• Employee morale and engagement.