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Theme 3: Human Impacts on Catchments

Topic: Threatened Species

What is a threatened species?

In South Australia, the term threatened species refers to species classified as either rare, endangered or vulnerable in Schedules 7, 8 and 9 of the National Parks and Wildlife (NPW) Act 1972. Endangered species are under the most threat and likely to become extinct in the near future, unless the circumstances and factors threatening their survival change for the better. There are several species on the endangered list, which means experts believe the species is extinct, but insufficient time has elapsed since their last official sighting to allow listing as extinct.

Vulnerable species are those likely to move into the endangered category in the near future unless the circumstances and factors threatening their survival change for the better.

Rare species are those that are the least threatened, but at some risk due to naturally low numbers, restricted distribution or observed, actual declines. Species are also listed as threatened at the national level under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. These plants and animals often receive priority for government funded conservation activities because they are threatened at both the national and State level. Section 179 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 lists a total of 185 species found in South Australia that are nationally threatened.

Facts and figures

Australia has a total of 1181 plants and 306 animals listed as threatened. Around 31% of Australia's nationally threatened mammal species occur in South Australia, 2.8% of plant species, 7.4% of bird species, 4.4% of reptiles and 4% of amphibians. In South Australia, 1041 of the approximately 4350 species recorded in the State (or 24%) are listed as threatened at the State level: 785 plants, 88 mammals, 127 birds, 39 reptiles and 2 amphibians. It is known that 23 mammals, 2 birds and 26 plants are presumed extinct in South Australia since European settlement. A review of the official listing of threatened species in South Australia was completed in 2000. This review has resulted in an increase in the total number of threatened species occurring in South Australia from 778 in 1991 to 1041 in 2000.

Why are species declining?

Species decline is almost never caused by one single factor but rather a host of complex factors stemming from human impacts on the landscape. Loss of habitat and food supply due to land clearance and weed invasion, compounded by feral cat and fox predation, are considered to be the most significant factors leading to the decline of our local species. Inappropriate livestock grazing regimes, dieback of vegetation caused by plant diseases such as the root rot fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi, degradation of water bodies, loss of drought refuges, altered fire regimes and climate change caused by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases also rate as contributing.

What can we do to help threatened species?

Helping to stop the decline of local native species includes finding out what these animals need to survive, identifying the threats to their survival and managing them accordingly. Researching their habits, restoring food source and habitat, controlling feral and aggressive species are some of the techniques often employed.

Student Activity Ideas

  • Students research (perhaps conduct a web search), on their favourite South Australian threatened species (animal or plant) and answer the following questions. What does it eat? Where type of habitat does it need? Where does it currently live? What are the threats contributing to its decline? What can we do to stop this species declining in the future?
  • Students to research which threatened species are found in their local area. What is being done to protect them?
  • Take an excursion to Warrawong Earth Sanctuary or the Adelaide Zoo to view Southern Brown Bandicoots.

Enquiry Learning

  • What are the impacts when an animal or plant species becomes low in number of even extinct? Think about the habitat, catchment health, food, biodiversity, water quality, human health and other impacts.
  • What impact do humans have on native plants and animals? How can we help protect our threatened species?

Internet Resources

Type Description Resources Covering the Topic
Easy
  • Threatened species in South Australia.
 SA Government
www.environment.sa.gov.au/
biodiversity/threatened.html
  • Brief description of projects they are involved in, with contact details.
 Threatened Species Network SA
www.ccsa.asn.au/tsnsa.htm
  • Threatened species fact sheets available for download.
  • Plus plenty more.
 Threatened Species Network World Wildlife Fund for Nature
www.wwf.org.au/About_WWF_Australia/
How_we_work/In_the_field/TSN/facts.php
  • Hands on for Habitat - Resource Pack for Teachers.
 Environment Australia
www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/
threatened/publications/habitat-teachers-guide/suggestions.html
  • International site with lots of links to information concerning endangered species.
 EELink
eelink.net/EndSpp
  • The extinction of biodiversity with lists of endangered species and extinct ones.
  • Discusses reasons for extinctions and threatened species.
 www.acess.250x.com
  • Information about threats to biodiversity around the world.
 Species Survival Commission
www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/pubs/policy/
invasivesEng.htm#BACKGROUND
  • Threatened species and ecological communities.
  • Links to a range of information resources managed by the Australian Government.
 Environment Australia
www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened
  • Successful threatened species management.
  • PDF download.
 Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board
www.onkaparinga.net/education/
downloads/folder_4/
7_19.pdf