Australian Biodiversity
Australia is known to be one of the most bio diverse countries in the world. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, “Biodiversity - the land, waters and all living things - form Indigenous creation and dream time stories and song lines about how they and the world around them came to be. Their traditions and culture are inextricably tied to the Australian landscape and its biodiversity” (Australian Bureau of Statistics). In Australia, the natural environment is a huge aspect to why people live there and go on vacation there. The Australian Bureau of Statistics stated that “In 2008, 18 per cent of all domestic overnight trips in Australia included a nature activity, such as visiting a national park, botanical gardens or wildlife park, bush walking, or whale watching, scuba diving and snorkeling” (Australian Bureau of Statistics). This country depends heavily on its natural environment for tourism purposes: “ 65 per cent of tourists that visited Australia in 2008 participated in one or more of the above nature activities” (Australian Bureau of Statistics). Tourists coming to the country based off nature reasons are known to stay twice as long on average as other international visitors, and spend around 80 per cent of international visitor dollars. Because its isolation being that on an island and its geology being the oldest in the world, Australia combined with his size and climate, is one of the most biologically and diverse countries in the entire world. Being that the country is outdoor-based, the culture of Australia follows along. Main sports and family/friendly activities all happen outside. Over 80% of the wildlife in the country is only found in Australia. However, Australia Wildlife Conservancy stated “the destruction and fragmentation of habitat, particularly as a result of clearance of vegetation for agriculture, and the impact of feral animals and invasive weeds has had a substantial impact on our biodiversity” (Australia Wildlife Conservancy). Basically, because of making room for agriculture and people, Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world. Altogether, 18 mammal species have become extinct since the first people settled only 200 years ago. The rest of the mammals today (20%) are extremely threatened with extinction. Australia’s many species that are unique to the island are extremely susceptible to climate change. The Australian Government is making outstanding efforts in order to prevent the biodiversity from being effected negatively by the climate changes. Scholarly journal: Australia’s Biodiversity and Climate Change explains, “ The assessment finds that Australia's biodiversity is at risk from even moderate climate change and already under stress, for example from habitat degradation, changed fire regimes and invasive species” (Australia’s Biodiversity and Climate Change).
"Australia's Biodiversity and Climate Change." Carbon Tax Abolished from 1 July 2014. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. <http://www.climatechange.gov.au/climate-change/adapting-climate-change/australia’s-biodiversity-and-climate-change>.
"Australian Bureau of StatisticsCelebrating the International Year of Statistics 2013." 1301.0. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. <http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/1301.0Feature Article12009–10>.
"Australian Wildlife Conservancy." Australian Wildlife Conservancy. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. <http://www.australianwildlife.org/Wildlife-and-Ecosystems/Australias-Biodiversity-Crisis.aspx>.
"Australia's Biodiversity and Climate Change." Carbon Tax Abolished from 1 July 2014. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. <http://www.climatechange.gov.au/climate-change/adapting-climate-change/australia’s-biodiversity-and-climate-change>.
"Australian Bureau of StatisticsCelebrating the International Year of Statistics 2013." 1301.0. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. <http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/1301.0Feature Article12009–10>.
"Australian Wildlife Conservancy." Australian Wildlife Conservancy. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. <http://www.australianwildlife.org/Wildlife-and-Ecosystems/Australias-Biodiversity-Crisis.aspx>.