NRM South

Biodiversity

Southern Tasmania's wide variety of physical conditions mean that our region has many very different ecosystems with a wide variety of flora and fauna. This means that Southern Tasmania is extremely biodiverse. NRM South is working with the community throughout the region to better understand, protect and manage our biodiversity.

What is Biodiversity?

The term biodiversity refers to the enormous diversity of all life on earth and is often categorised into three classifications - ecosystem diversity, species diversity and genetic diversity. From the smallest single celled microbe to the world’s largest animal, the blue whale, biodiversity encompasses every living thing that exists on our planet and the environments in which they live. Biodiversity is an intricate, interdependent web on which all life depends and includes ecosystems as different as ocean floors, alpine peaks and temperate rainforests.

Australia is home to nearly 700,000 different species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Around 84% of our plants, 83% of our mammals, and 45% of our birds are endemic - or found only in Australia. Consequently Australia is considered the most biodiversity rich developed nation in the world. Tasmania has over 50 species of mammal, more than 250 resident and migratory bird species and 2400 native plants, of which 20% are endemic. There are 25 species of native fish and an estimated 35,000 land-based invertebrate species.

Biodiversity in Southern Tasmania

Southern Tasmania’s wide variety of physical conditions such as extremes of rainfall, varying elevation and geologies ranging from volcanic to alluvial mean that our region has many very different ecosystems with a wide variety of flora and fauna. This means that Southern Tasmania is extremely biodiverse. Vegetation types vary from cold climate rainforest, wet forests and buttongrass moorlands in the west, to dry woodlands and heathland in the east, with alpine vegetation found on the mountain ranges and grasslands and grassy woodlands found in the midlands. The region’s fauna is equally diverse, encompassing birds from raptors such as the Wedge-tailed eagle to shorebirds including the little penguin and short-tailed shearwater, freshwater and saltwater fish, crayfish and shellfish, many species of marsupial and reptiles and literally thousands of different insect species.

Environmental Values

Our region contains many rare and threatened orchids, herbs, grasses including some previously thought to be extinct.  Endangered trees include the Miena cider gum, while threatened fauna includes the Tasmanian devil, Forty-spotted pardalote, Swift parrot and the live bearing seastar. Threatened vegetation communities include dry blue gum forests, black gum forests, lowland native grasslands and several communities that occur only in the Southern region. The Southern region also contains four internationally significant Ramsar wetlands at Moulting Lagoon, Apsley Marshes, Pittwater/Orielton Lagoon, and Interlaken Lakeside Reserve.

Industry and Economic Values

The region’s high biodiversity is a key element in all of the region’s economic activity. The wide variety of natural ecosystems and the wildlife they support sustains Southern Tasmania’s thriving tourism and recreation industries, while the abundance of freshwater and saltwater fish, shellfish and crustaceans supports our world-famous fishing industry. Native and introduced pastures support both native and farmed animals and the variety of species in our forests support a diverse timber industry. All of our region’s economic activity relies to some degree on the region’s biodiversity, but equally has the potential to impact on natural values. Effectively managing and maintaining our biodiversity is critical for achieving sustainable industry and a sustainable community.

Managing Biodiversity

The state of the region’s biodiversity reflects both natural processes such as flood, drought and fire, as well as natural resource management issues including land management and land and water use. Increasing urbanisation, changing agricultural demands and uses, and a changing climate are all increasing pressure on biodiversity throughout the region.

Effective management of biodiversity takes into account the following considerations:

  • Community awareness and knowledge of biodiversity values and assets through providing information, training or workshops. Examples include NRM South’s Priority Area Brochures, the Tree Decline Toolbox, Natural Values Atlas, Fire Management and Remnant Vegetation Management workshops
  • Information about emerging issues, challenges and opportunities. Examples include forums on Landscape Scale Planning Approaches
  • Integrating NRM data into government and local council decision making processes
  • Prioritising action to protect threatened species
  • Working with land managers to in priority areas address threats to biodiversity values
  • Supporting the management of high priority biodiversity assets and values. Examples include habitat protection and enhancement for the endangered Forty-spotted pardalote and Swift parrot
  • Supporting hands-on activity by community and care groups

What are we doing to protect Biodiversity?

NRM South is working to better understand, protect and manage our biodiversity. We do this in partnership with stakeholders across the region, including all levels of government, industry, research organisations, NGOs and the community. Our work includes activities through our Healthy Catchments and Coasts program which are addressing the spread of weeds and other introduced species, restoring and protecting threatened habitat, implementing threatened species recovery plans, protecting native vegetation and enhancing connectivity, adapting to the impacts of climate change and improving planning and decision making.