AUSTRALIA

Australia occupies less than 6 per cent of the earth's land surface, yet is home to between 7 per cent and 10 per cent of the world's described species.

It is one of 17 "mega-diverse" countries that together account for less than 10 per cent of global surface, but support 70 per cent of biological diversity.

Of these notable countries, Australia has the world's greatest species diversity, with more than 1300 unique mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians - around 500 more than found in the second-ranked far-reaching and geographically diverse Indonesian archipelago.

There are many other examples of Australian species' ‘uniqueness' - for example its range of parrots; its distinctive mammals; the rich diversity of its reptiles; the deadly potency of some of its snakes and spiders; and its rare amphibians with nine out of ten found nowhere else.

As the world's least densely populated nation, a co-operative co-existence of people with this extraordinary range of wildlife should be readily achievable. Yet conservationists agree that the species losses recorded in 220 years of European settlement are "appalling".

Australia's "species library" is disproportionately rich - but reflecting Gro Brundtland's global observation, Australia's natural library is burning too!

For example, of nearly 80 mammal losses worldwide since the 1600s, more than 20 have been in Australia following European settlement. The future is even more dismal - 88 mammal species and 107 bird species are vulnerable to extinction, some critically vulnerable.

Ordinary Australians generally share scientists' apprehension for the future of our natural environment. A September 2008 survey* of Australians shows that of the "top 10" national issues put to them, concerns for health and education only are ranked ahead of their worry about the environment.

"The bottom line is that if this rate of destruction of the environment, plants and animals continues, the impact on our economy, agricultural productivity, tourism and national heritage will be devastating and irreversible."

- David Lindenmayer, Prof of Ecology and Conservation Science, ANU

TNC Photo - Mark Godfrey

TNC Photo - Mark Godfrey