Climate Change and Queensland Biodiversity
Building Nature’s Resilience: A Biodiversity Strategy for Queensland (PDF, 1.3M)* places biodiversity at the centre of conservation efforts for the state. The strategy highlights the need for better understanding of the current and emerging threats to biodiversity, such as the impacts of development and climate change.
There is perhaps no greater threat to Queensland biodiversity than climate change. There is a significant body of scientific evidence on the potentially catastrophic impacts facing particular ecosystems such as the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef. To effectively conserve and manage biodiversity right across the state, we need to continue gathering knowledge and improving our understanding of the emerging threats to Queensland’s biodiversity.
To assist us in gathering this information, the Department of Environment and Resource Management commissioned scientist and author, Tim Low, to conduct an independent scientific study on biodiversity health, ecosystems and landscapes across Queensland.
Tim Low has completed his investigations and produced ‘Climate Change and Queensland Biodiversity’. This report is one of the first detailed considerations of how Queensland biodiversity may be impacted by climate change.
The report addresses Queensland’s 13 bio-regions, and looks at some of the anticipated effects of climate change including increased climatic variability; changes in the extent and frequency of drought; fire and rainfall; habitat vulnerability, and what this may mean for Queensland’s species.
The report acknowledges the complexity of these issues, and suggests some approaches for managing the likely impacts of climate change on biodiversity and encouraging ecosystem resilience.
This report will be a valuable source of information for natural resource managers, landholders, scientists and governments.
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated 17 November 2011