SCIENTISTS’ DECLARATION: ACCELERATING FOREST, WOODLAND AND GRASSLAND DESTRUCTION IN AUSTRALIA
Australia’s land clearing rate is once again among the highest in the world.
Remaining forests and woodlands are critical for much of our wildlife, for the health and productivity of our lands and waters, and for the character of our nation. Beginning in the 1990s, governments gradually increased protection of these remaining forests and woodlands.
However, those laws are now being wound back.
The State of Queensland has suffered the greatest loss of forests and woodlands. But while stronger laws by the mid-2000s achieved dramatic reductions of forest and woodland loss, recent weakening of laws reversed the trend. Loss of remnant forest has more than trebled since 2009 [1]. In Victoria, home to four of Australia’s five most heavily cleared bioregions, land clearing controls were weakened in 2013, and in New South Wales, proposed biodiversity laws provide increased opportunities for habitat destruction [2].
Of the eleven world regions highlighted as global deforestation fronts, eastern Australia is the only one in a developed country [3]. This problem threatens much of Australia’s extraordinary biodiversity and, if not redressed, will blight the environmental legacy we leave future generations.
Australia’s wildlife at risk
Already, Australia’s environment has suffered substantial damage from clearing of forests, woodlands and grasslands, including serious declines in woodland birds and reptiles [4]. Vast numbers of animals are killed by forest and woodland destruction. For example, between 1998 and 2005 an estimated 100 million native birds, reptiles and mammals were killed because of destruction of their habitat in NSW [5]; in Queensland, the estimate was 100 million native animals dying each year between 1997 and 1999 [6]. As land clearing once again escalates, so too will these losses of wildlife.
The loss of habitat is among the greatest of threats to Australia’s unique threatened species, imperilling 60% of Australia’s more than 1,700 threatened species [7]. Habitat protection is essential for preventing more species from becoming threatened in the future, adding to our burgeoning threatened species lists [8]. Habitat removal eliminates the plants and animals that lived in it; increases risks to wildlife from introduced predators; impacts surface and groundwater-dependent ecosystems, and fragments habitat so that individuals are unable to move through the landscape. It also reduces the ability of species to move in response to climate change [9].
The societal costs of forest and woodland destruction
Forest and woodland destruction also causes long-term costs to farmers, governments and society. Removal of native vegetation:
- Hastens erosion and reduces fertility of Australia’s ancient and fragile soils [10]
- Increases the risk of soils becoming saline [11]
- Exacerbates drought [12]
- Reduces numbers of native pollinators and many wildlife species (such as woodland birds and insectivorous bats) that control agricultural pests [13]
- Reduces shade for livestock from heat and wind.
Continued and increasing removal of forests, woodlands and grasslands increases the cost of restoring landscapes and reduces the chance of success. For example, the Australian Government has committed to plant 20 million trees by 2020 [14]. Yet many more than 20 million trees are cleared every year in Queensland alone.
Forest and woodland destruction increases the threat to some of Australia’s most iconic environmental assets. Coral health on The Great Barrier Reef has declined precipitously from the effects of high temperatures associated with climate change, poor water quality, and the flow-on impacts it triggers (such as crown-of-thorns outbreaks) [15]. Native vegetation removal from catchments that flow into the Great Barrier Reef liberates topsoil and contaminants, reducing water quality and threatening the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef [16]. Governments have already spent hundreds of millions of dollars on this problem, with estimates of the full cost of restoring water quality as high as AUD$10 billion [17].
Native vegetation is a major carbon sink. Forest and woodland destruction is the fastest-growing contributor to Australia’s carbon emissions, as it transfers the carbon that was stored in the vegetation to the atmosphere. Hence, Australia’s increasing forest and woodland destruction threatens its ability to meet its commitments under four major international treaties: the Convention on Biological Diversity, the World Heritage Convention, the Convention to Combat Desertification, and the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Urgently-needed solutions
- Develop and implement a strategy to end net loss of native vegetation, and restore over-cleared landscapes
- Recognise all biodiversity, not just threatened species, in policy and legislation for the management of native vegetation
- Establish clear, transparent and repeatable national reporting of clearing of native vegetation
- Use rigorous biodiversity assessment methods for assessing clearing requests, accounting for all potential impacts, including cumulative and indirect impacts
- Identify habitats that are of high conservation value for complete protection
- For unavoidable losses of native vegetation, require robust and transparent offsets that meet the highest standards and improve biodiversity outcomes
Thirteen years ago, scientists from across the world expressed their grave concern about ongoing high rates of land forest and woodland destruction in the Australian State of Queensland18. For a while, the warning was heeded, and the Queensland state government acted to bring land clearing to historically low levels.
The progress made then is now being undone. Forest and woodland destruction has resumed at increasingly high rates. This return of large-scale deforestation to Australia risks further irreversible environmental consequences of international significance.
Today, scientists from across the world (including those listed), in conjunction with scientific societies and the delegates of the Society for Conservation Biology (Oceania) Conference, call upon Australian governments and parliaments, especially those of Queensland and New South Wales, to take action. We call for the prevention of a return to the damaging past of high rates of woodland and forest destruction, in order to protect the unique biodiversity and marine environments of which Australia is sole custodian.
Signatories
Scientific Societies
- The Society for Conservation Biology Oceania
- The Ecological Society of Australia
- The Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales
- The Australian Wildlife Management Society
Scientists
Name | Affiliation | Position |
Associate Professor Martine Maron | The University of Queensland, Australia | ARC Future Fellow and Associate Professor |
Professor Christopher Dickman | The University of Sydney, Australia | Professor in Ecology |
Professor Richard Kingsford | Society for Conservation Biology (Oceania Section); Centre for Ecosystem Science, The University of New South Wales | President; Director, Centre for Ecosystem Science |
Professor Hugh Possingham | The University of Queensland, Australia | ARC Laureate Fellow; Director, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science |
Associate Professor James Watson | Wildlife Conservation Society; The University of Queensland, Australia; Society for Conservation Biology | Director, Science and Research, WCS; President, Society for Conservation Biology |
Professor John Woinarski | Charles Darwin University, Australia | Professor |
Professor Carla Catterall | Griffith University, Australia | Professor in Ecology, Griffith School of Environment |
Professor Andrew Balmford | University of Cambridge, UK | Professor of Conservation Science |
Professor Andrew F. Bennett | La Trobe University, Australia | Professor of Ecology, Department of Ecology, Environment & Evolution |
Professor Barry Fox | The University of New South Wales, Australia | Visiting Professor |
Professor Bob Pressey | James Cook University, Australia | Distinguished Research Professor and Program Leader, Conservation Planning |
Professor Brendan Mackey | Griffith Climate Change Response Program, Griffith University | Director |
Professor Charles J. Krebs | The University of Canberra, Australia | Professor of Ecology |
Professor Chris Johnson | University of Tasmania, Australia | Professor of Wildlife Conservation, School of Biological Sciences |
Professor Clive McAlpine | The University of Queensland, Australia | Professor, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management |
Professor Corey J. A. Bradshaw | The University of Adelaide, Australia | Professor, School of Biological Sciences; Sir Hubert Wilkins Chair of Climate Change |
Professor David B. Lindenmayer | The Australian National University, Australia | Professor of Ecology and Conservation Biology |
Professor David Goldney | Charles Sturt Univeristy, Australia | Adjunct Professor |
Professor David M. Watson | Charles Sturt Univeristy, Australia | Professor of Ecology |
Professor Don Driscoll | Deakin University, Australia | Professor of Ecology, Deakin University, Australia |
Professor George Wilson | The Australian National University, Australia | Professor |
Professor Glenda Wardle | The University of Sydney, Australia | Professor in Ecology and Evolution, Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences |
Professor Gordon Grigg | University of Queensland, Australia | Emeritus Professor of Zoology |
Professor Graciela Metternicht | The University of New South Wales, Australia | Professor in Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences |
Professor Hamish McCallum | Griffith University, Australia | Acting Dean Research Griffith Sciences |
Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick | The University of Tasmania, Australia | Distinguished Professor in Geography and Spatial Sciences, School of Land and Food |
Professor Kate Buchanan | Deakin University, Australia | Professor of Ecology and Animal Behaviour |
Professor Libby Robin | The Australian National University, Australia | Environmental Historian, Fenner School of Environment and Society |
Professor Marc Hockings | The University of Queensland, Australia | Deputy Head, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management |
Professor Michael Archer AM, FAS, DistFRSN, FRZS, FACE, FWAAS | The University of New South Wales, Australia | Professor |
Professor Michael McCarthy | The University of Melbourne, Australia | Professor |
Professor Mike Clarke | La Trobe University, Australia | Professor of Zoology, School of Life Sciences |
Professor Neil Burgess | University of Copenhagen, Denmark | Professor |
Professor Peter Valentine | James Cook University, Australia | Adjunct Professor, College of Marine and Environmental Science |
Professor Ralph Mac Nally | The University of Canberra, Australia | Centenary Professor of Ecology, Institute for Applied Ecology |
Professor Richard Duncan | The University of Canberra, Australia | Centenary Professor of Ecology, Institute for Applied Ecology |
Professor Richard G. Pearson | James Cook University, Australia | Emeritus Professor, College of Science and Engineering |
Professor Richard J. Hobbs | The University of Western Australia, Australia | IAS Distinguished Fellow, School of Plant Biology |
Professor Rick Shine | The University of Sydney, Australia | Professor of Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences |
Professor Stephen Garnett | Charles Darwin University, Australia | Professor of Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods |
Professor Stuart Bunn | Griffith University, Australia | Director, Australian Rivers Institute |
Professor Stuart Phinn | The University of Queensland, Australia | Director, Remote Sensing Research Centre |
Professor William F. Laurance | James Cook University, Australia | Distinguished Research Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow |
Adjunct Associate Professor Ian Lunt | Charles Sturt University, Australia | Adjunct Associate Professor, Insitute for Land, Water and Society |
Associate Professor Alan York | The University of Melbourne, Australia | Research Leader, Fire Ecology and Biodiversity Group; Associate Professor, School of Forest and Ecosystem Sciences |
Associate Professor Brendan Wintle | University of Melbourne, Australia | ARC Future Fellow |
Associate Professor E. Charles Morris | The University of Western Sydney, Australia | Associate Professor, School of Science and Health |
Associate Professor Gilianne Brodie | The University of the South Pacific, Fiji | Associate Professor |
Associate Professor Jonathan Rhodes | The University of Queensland, Australia | Associate Professor, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management |
Associate Professor Kerrie Wilson | The University of Queensland, Australia; The University of Copenhagen, Denmark | ARC Future Fellow |
Associate Professor Kirsten Parris | The University of Melbourne, Australia | Associate Professor |
Associate Professor Mathew Crowther | The University of Sydney, Australia | Associate Professor |
Associate Professor Mike Calver | Environment and Conservation Cluster, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences | Associate Professor |
Associate Professor Richard Fuller | The University of Queensland, Australia | ARC Future Fellow, School of Biological Sciences |
Associate Professor Roberta Bencini | The University of Western Australia, Australia | Associate Professor, School of Animal Biology |
Associate Professor Rod Fensham | The University of Queensland, Australia | Associate Professor, School of Biological Sciences |
Associate Professor Ross Goldingay | Southern Cross University, Australia | Lecturer in Wildlife Ecology, School of Environment, Science and Engineering |
Associate Professor Sarah Bekessy | RMIT University, Australia | Associate Professor, ARC Future Fellow |
Associate Professor Tina Bell | The University of Sydney, Australia | Associate Professor, School of Life and Environmental Sciences |
Dr Pia Lentini | The University of Melbourne, Australia | Research Fellow |
Dr. Aaron Greenville | The University of Sydney, Australia | Research Associate, Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences |
Dr. Adele Haythornthwaite FRZS | The University of Sydney, Australia | Senior Policy Officer |
Dr. Adriana Corona Mothe | Cumberland Ecology, Australia | Ecologist and Research Assistant |
Dr. Alan Stewart | Consultant ecologist | |
Dr. Alex Kutt | Bush Heritage Australia | Healthy Landscapes Manager and Ecologist |
Dr. Alienor Chauvenet | The University of Queensland, Australia | Post-doctoral Research Fellow |
Dr. Angie Haslem | La Trobe University, Australia | Research Fellow |
Dr. Anna McConville | Echo Ecology, Australia | Ecologist; Director |
Dr. Anne Kerle | Kerle Environmental, Australia | Consultant Ecologist |
Dr. April Reside | The University of Queensland, Australia | Post-doctoral Research Fellow |
Dr. Ascelin Gordon | RMIT University, Australia | Senior Research Fellow |
Dr. Ascelin Gordon | RMIT University, Australia | Senior Research Fellow, Global, Urban and Social Studies |
Dr. Ayesha Tulloch | The Australian National University, Australia | Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment |
Dr. Barbara Stewart | Landmark Ecological Services, Australia | Director, Consultant Ecologist |
Dr. Barry Baker | The University of Tasmania, Australia | Researcher, Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies |
Dr. Berndt J. van Rensburg | The University of Queensland, Australia | Lecturer, Conservation Biology |
Dr. Brian English | Land Owner | |
Dr. Bruce Thomson | Redleaf Environmental Consultants, Australia | Director |
Dr. Carissa Klein | The University of Queensland, Australia | Research Fellow |
Dr. Carly Cook | Monash University, Australia | Lecturer in Ecology, School of Biological Sciences |
Dr. Christopher Ives | Leuphana University Lüneburg, Germany | Post-doctoral Researcher, Faculty of Sustainability |
Dr. Dan Lunney | The University of Sydney, Australia | Adjunct Professor |
Dr. David Wong | The University of Canberra, Australia | Research Affiliate |
Dr. Diana Fisher | The University of Queensland, Australia | ARC Future Fellow and Senior Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences |
Dr. Dilys Roe | International Institute for Environment and Development, UK | Principal Researcher and Team Leader (Biodiversity) |
Dr. Dominique Pelletier | IFREMER, New Caledonia | Researcher |
Dr. Douglas Kerlin | Griffith University, Australia | Post-doctoral Research |
Dr. Duan Biggs | The University of Queensland, Australia | ARC DECRA Fellow |
Dr. Duncan Sutherland | Phillip Island Nature Parks, Australia | Senior Research Scientist |
Dr. Elena Bennett | Natural Resource Science and McGill School of Environment, Canada | Associate Professor |
Dr. Emilie Ens | Macquarie University, Australia | Cross-cultural Ecologist |
Dr. Emma Burns | Australian National University, Australia | Executive Director, LTERN |
Dr. Euan G. Ritchie | Deakin University, Australia | Senior Lecturer, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences |
Dr. Fritz Geiser | The University of New England, Australia | Professor of Zoology |
Dr. Georgia Garrard | RMIT University, Australia | Research Fellow |
Dr. Graham Thompson | Terrestrial Ecosystems, Australia | Partner |
Dr. Greg Holland | La Trobe University, Australia | Research Fellow |
Dr. Greg P. Clancy | The University of New England, Australia | Ecologist and Birding-Wildlife Guide |
Dr. Guy Castley | Griffith University, Australia | Discipline Head: Ecology and Conservation, Griffith School of Environment |
Dr. Heini Kujala | The University of Melbourne, Australia | Research Fellow, School of BioSciences |
Dr. Hugh Jones | The University of New South Wales, Australia | Senior Scientist and Biometrician; Adjunct Lecturer, Centre for Ecosystem Science |
Dr. Jamie Tedeschi | The University of Western Australia, Australia and Murdoch University, Australia | Research Officer, Post-doctoral |
Dr. Janet Stein | Australian National University, Australia | Senior Manager Research, The Fenner School of Environment and Society |
Dr. Jennifer Anson | Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Australia | Wildlife Ecologist |
Dr. Jimmy Choi | The University of Queensland, Australia | Post-doctoral |
Dr. John Martin | University of New South Wales | Adjunct Lecturer |
Dr. Joslin Moore | Monash University, Australia | Lecturer |
Dr. Judit Szabo | Charles Darwin University, Australia | Adjunct Researcher |
Dr. Judy Lambert | Retired (former research scientist, Ministerial adviser and independent consultant) | |
Dr. Judy Smith | P. & J. Smith Ecological Consultants, Australia | Principal |
Dr. Karen Ikin | The Australian National University, Australia | Research Fellow |
Dr. Karen Sommerville | The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, Australia | Scientific Officer, The Australian PlantBank |
Dr. Kate Reardon-Smith | The University of Southern Queensland, Australia | Post-doctoral Research Fellow |
Dr. Katherine Barry | Macquarie University, Australia | Lecturer, Department of Biological Sciences |
Dr. Kent H. Redford | Archipelago Consulting, USA | Principal |
Dr. Kiki Dethmers | Charles Darwin University, Australia | Adjunct Researcher |
Dr. Kylie Soanes | The University of Melbourne, Australia | Post-doctoral |
Dr. Laura J. Sonter | The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA | Post-doctoral Research Associate, The Gund Institute for Ecological Economics and The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources |
Dr. Lein Sim | Consultant Ecologist | |
Dr. Len Martin | The University of Queensland, Australia | Reader in Physiology (Retired) |
Dr. Leonie Seabrook | The University of Queensland, Australia | Research Fellow |
Dr. Leonie Valentine | The University of Western Australia, Australia | Post-doctoral Research Fellow, School of Plant Biology |
Dr. Luis Mata | RMIT University, Australia | Research Fellow, National Environment Science Programme |
Dr. Marissa Parrott | Zoos Victoria, Australia | Reproductive Biologist |
Dr. Martin Denny | Ecological Consultants Association of NSW, Australia | President |
Dr. Martin Predavec | Royal Zoological Society of NSW | President; Project Officer |
Dr. Megan Barnes | The University of Hawaii, Hawaii, USA and The University of Queensland, Australia | Post-doctoral Research Fellow |
Dr. Melanie Massaro | Charles Sturt University, Australia | Lecturer |
Dr. Michelle Bassett | Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Australia | Biodiversity Officer |
Dr. Naomi Davis | The University of Melbourne, Australia | Honorary Research Fellow, School of BioSciences |
Dr. Nathalie Butt | The University of Queensland, Australia | ARC Research Fellow |
Dr. Neil Perry | The University of Western Sydney, Australia | Research Lecturer in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, School of Business |
Dr. Neville D. Crossman | CSIRO Land and Water, Australia | Principal Research Scientist |
Dr. Nicola Mitchell | The University of Western Australia, Australia | Senior Lecturer |
Dr. Noel Preece | James Cook University, Australia | Adjunct Principal Research Fellow |
Dr. Pat Hutchings | Royal Zoological Society of NSW, Australia | Senior Vice President |
Dr. Paul G. McDonald | The University of New England, Australia | Senior Lecturer and Zoology Convenor |
Dr. Paula Peeters | Paperbark Writer, Australia | Paperbark Writer |
Dr. Perpetua Turner | The University of Tasmania, Australia | Honorary Associate |
Dr. Peter Scanes | New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, Australia | Scientist |
Dr. Peter Smith | P. & J. Smith Ecological Consultants, Australia | Principal |
Dr. Rachael Nolan | The University of Technology Sydney, Australia | Post-doctoral Research Associate, Terrestrial Ecohydrology Research Group, School of Life Sciences |
Dr. Richard Donaghey | Griffith University, Australia | Adjunct Research Fellow |
Dr. Robert Davis | Edith Cowan University, Australia | Senior Lecturer in Vertebrate Biology, School of Science |
Dr. Ronda Green | Griffith University, Australia | Adjunct Research Fellow, Environmental Futures Research Institute |
Dr. Rosalynn Anderson-Lederer | Ministry for the Environment, New Zealand | Analyst |
Dr. Sarah Legge | The Australian National University, Australia | Associate Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment |
Dr. Sigrid Heise-Pavlov | The School for Field Studies, Australia | Faculty/Researcher |
Dr. Simon Attwood | Bioversity International, Malaysia | Component Leader, Ecological Intensification and Diversification |
Dr. Stephen Ambrose | Ambrose Ecological Services Pty Ltd, Australia | Director and Principal Ecologist |
Dr. Stephen Bell | The University of Newcastle, Australia | Conjoint Fellow, School of Environmental and Life Sciences |
Dr. Stephen Debus | The University of New England, Australia | Adjunct Lecturer, Division of Zoology |
Dr. Stephen M. Turton | Central Queensland University, Australia | Adjunct Professor, Environmental Sciences |
Dr. Steve Leonard | La Trobe University, Australia | Research Fellow, Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution |
Dr. Stuart Butchart | Birdlife International, United Kingdom | Chief Scientist |
Dr. Tara Martin | The University of Queensland, Australia | Adjunct Professor; Principal Research Scientist |
Dr. Tein McDonald | Ecological Society of Australia | Editor, Ecological Management and Restoration |
Dr. Tim Curran | Lincoln University, New Zealand | Senior Lecturer in Ecology, Department of Ecology |
Dr. Tim Doherty | Deakin University, Australia | Research Fellow, Centre for Integrative Ecology |
Dr. Toby Gardner | Stockholm Environment Institute, Sweden | Senior Research Fellow |
Dr. Tom Grant | The University of New South Wales, Australia | Adjunct Senior Lecturer |
Dr. Ursula Ellengerg | La Trobe University, Australia | Lecturer |
Dr. Vanessa Adams | The University of Queensland, Australia | Post-doctoral Fellow |
Benjamin Sipa | Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, Papua New Guinea | Livelihoods and Community Development Manager |
Beth Brunton | The University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Brett Parker | Griffith University, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Catalina Amaya-Perilla | Sirtrack, Australia | Telemetry Specialist |
Charlotte Simpson-Yang | The University of New South Wales, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Colleen Corrigen | The University of Queensland, Australia | PhD Candidate |
David Boseto | Ecological Solutions, Solomon Islands | Community Officer |
David Butcher | Retired | |
David Milledge | Landmark Ecological Services, Australia | Director |
Eddy Cannella | BIOSTAT Pty Ltd, Australia | Direction and Principal Zoologist |
Emeritus Professor Harry F. Recher, FRZS, AM | Edith Cowan University, Australia | Emeritus Professor |
Eric Vanderduys | CSIRO, Australia | Project Officer |
Guy Dutson | Biodiversity Solutions, Australia | Principal |
Heiro Noelke | Self Employed | |
Hernan Coceres | The University of Queensland, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Ian Cranwell | Retired | |
Ian Temby | The University of Melbourne, Australia | Honorary Fellow |
Janice May | Wildlife Biologist | |
Jean Thomas | Tenkile Conservation Alliance, Papua New Guinea | Director |
Jens Froese | The University of Queensland, Australia | Research Higher Degree Student |
Jessica Cappadonna | Queensland University of Technology, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Jessica Miller | The University of Queensland, Australia | Masters Student |
Joseph Adair | Adair Ecological Solutions, Australia | Principal Ecologist |
Kaipo Dye | The University of Hawaii, Hawaii, USA | PhD Candidate |
Karau Kuna | Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, Papua New Guinea | Conservation Strategies Manager |
Katy Wilkins | The University of New South Wales, Australia | Research Assistant |
Kerrie Fraser | The University of Queensland, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Lorna Hernandez | The University of Queensland, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Martine Kinloch | Natural Resources Kangaroo Island, Australia | Natural Resource/Conservation Manager |
Michael Magrath | Zoos Victoria, Australia | Research Manager |
Michael Smith | Shoalhaven Council, Australia | Threatened Species Officer |
Miss Christina Zdenek | The University of Queensland, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Miss Clare Lawrence | Charles Sturt University, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Miss Emma Gray | Queensland University of Technology, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Miss Hannah Wauchope | The University of Queensland, Australia | Research Assistant |
Miss Jessica Stubbs | The University of Western Australia, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Miss Laura McCallion | Griffith University, Australia | Environmental Advisor |
Miss Micha Jackson | The University of Queensland, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Miss Michelle Mogilski | Queensland University of Technology, Australia | Honours Student |
Mr Alex Kusmanoff | RMIT University, Australia | PhD candidate |
Mr Andy Baker | Southern Cross University, Australia | Senior Vegetation Ecologist |
Mr Ben Hope | Royal Zoological Society of NSW, Australia | Scientific Member |
Mr Blair Bentley | The University of Western Australia, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Mr Diego Correa | The University of Queensland, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Mr James Allan | The University of Queensland, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Mr Jeremy Ringma | The University of Queensland, Australia | Research Fellow |
Mr Jon Brodie | James Cook University, Australia | Chief Research Scientist |
Mr Justin McLann | The University of New South Wales, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Mr Kevin Taylor | Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Australia | Hotspots Ecologist |
Mr Luke McPhan | The University of New South Wales, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Mr Mat Hardy | RMIT University, Australia | PhD Candidate, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group |
Mr Mathew Bell | Mid-Coast Council, Australia | Senior Ecologist |
Mr Matt Rees | Queensland University of Technology, Australia | Honours Student |
Mr Shawn Capararo | Ecological Consultants Association of NSW, Australia | Independent Ecological Consultant |
Mr Stephen Kearney | The University of Queensland, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Mr. Dylan Jones | The University of Queensland, Australia | Masters Student |
Mr. Edmond Sacre | James Cook University, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Mrs Rachel England | Australian National University, Australia | Higher Degree Research Student |
Mrs Stephanie K. Courtney Jones | The University of Wollongong, Australia | PhD Candidate, Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions |
Mrs Wendy Stuart-Smith | The University of Sydney, Australia | Lecturer |
Ms Kerry-Jayne Wilson | Lincoln University, New Zealand | Senior Lecturer (Retired) |
Ms Margaret Hawkins | Taronga Conservation Society Australia | Behavioural Biologist Emeritus |
Ms. Caroline Cordonis | The University of Wollongong, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Ms. Chantelle Derez | The University of Queensland, Australia | Masters Student |
Ms. Charlotte Mills | The University of New South Wales, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Ms. Claire Sives | The University of New South Wales, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Ms. Elira Reynolds | The University of Wollongong, Australia | Honours Student |
Ms. Florence Damiens | RMIT University, Australia | PhD Candidate, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group |
Ms. Jennifer McGowan | The University of Queensland, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Ms. Laura Mumaw | RMIT University, Australia | PhD Candidate, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group, Centre for Urban Research |
Ms. Liz Gould | Healthy Waterways and Catchments, Australia | Science and Innovation Coordinator |
Ms. Megan Evans | The University of Queensland, Australia | Research Fellow |
Ms. Melissa Walsh | Marine Conservation Finance Consulting, Australia | Director |
Ms. Nicole Shumway | The University of Queensland, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Ms. Nyree Fea | Victoria University, New Zealand | PhD Candidate |
Ms. Rebecca Groenewegen | The University of Melbourne, Australia | Masters Graduate/Tutor |
Ms. Stephanie Pulsford | Australian National University, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Ms. Tanya Pritchard | Queensland Trust For Nature, Australia | Conservation Manager |
Ms. Victoria Hemming | The University of Melbourne, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Ms. Viviana Gonzalez | The University of Queensland, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Rachael Collett | The University of Queensland, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Rick Webster | Ecosurveys Pty Ltd, Australia | Director |
Samantha Reynolds | The University of Queensland, Australia | Honours Student |
Stephanie Avery-Gomm | The University of Queensland, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Stephanie Borrelle | Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand | PhD Candidate |
Steven McLeod | Orange Agricultural Institute, Australia | Senior Research Scientist, Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Department of Primary Industries |
Thomas Mutton | Queensland University of Technology, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Veira Pulekera | Solomon Islands Community Conservation Partnership/ZRMA/NRMAN, Solomon Islands | Community Officer |
Angela Recalde | Curtin University, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Annett Finger | Victoria University, Australia | PhD Candidate |
Dr Jennifer Taylor | Australian Catholic University | Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science |
[1] SLATS 2015; https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/vegetation/mapping/slats-reports/
[2] Draft Biodiversity Conservation Bill 2016 & Draft Local Land Services Amendment Bill 2016 https://www.landmanagement.nsw.gov.au/; Chee, 2013
3 WWF 2015
4 Brown et al. 2008; Garnett et al. 2011; State of the Environment Committee 2011 Chapter 8 Biodiversity; Bradshaw 2012; Ritchie et al. 2013
[5] Johnson et al. 2007
[6] Cogger et al. 2003
[7] Radford et al. 2005; Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts 2009; Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council 2010; State of the Environment Committee 2011 Chapter 8 Biodiversity; http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspeciessolrsearch.pl
[8] Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts 2009; Doherty et al. 2015; Niebuhr et al. 2015; Woinarski et al. 2015; https://www.environment.gov.au/topics/threatened-species-ecological-communities
[9] Travis et al. 2013; Reside et al. 2012
[10] Ludwig and Tongway 2002; State of the Environment Committee 2011, Chapter 3 Land
[11] Walker et al. 1993; Lambers 2003; Nulsen 2012
[12] McAlpine et al. 2009; Martin and Watson, 2016
[13] Whelan et al. 2008; Isaacs et al. 2009; Kunz et al. 2011
[14] http://www.nrm.gov.au/national/20-million-trees
[15] Fabricius et al. 2014; Ainsworth et al. 2016
[16] Commonwealth of Australia 2015; Waters et al. 2014; Fabricius et al. 2016; Department of Science Information Technology Innovation and the Arts 2015
[17] Brodie and Pearson 2016
18 http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2003/s997028.htm
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