A major new report looked at ecosystems in Australia and Antarctica, finding all but one to be heading for permanent collapse
19 Australian ecosystems are collapsing and unlikely to recover, according to one of the most comprehensive evaluations of Australia and Antarctica's environment ever conducted. The major report, authored by 38 scientists from 29 institutions, warns Australia's key ecosystems are experiencing potentially irreversible environmental changes.
Of the 20 ecosystems examined by the report, all but one were at risk of collapse. These ecosystems include:
The Great Barrier Reef
The Murray Darling River Basin waterways
Tasmania's Gondwanan forests
The Ningaloo Reef
North Australia's Mangrove forests
South-West Australia's Mediterranean forests
"It's confronting and sobering... Improving fire management [and] feral animal and weed control are easily achievable steps we can take" - Professor Euan Ritchie, Deakin University
"People talk about climate change as something in the future. Climate change is here and collapse is coming" - Dr Dana Bergstrom, Australian Antarctic Division
"These are unique and irreplaceable places. Tasmania's ancient Gondwana conifer forests are the only place on Earth you will find majestic King Billy and pencile pines" - Dr Justine Shaw, University of Queensland
WHY THE ECOSYSTEMS ARE COLLAPSING
The report points to a combination of pressures causing ecosystems to struggle. Several ecosystems are being hit by fires too frequently to regrow, while others are being destroyed by feral cats and cane toads. Land clearing and an increase in extreme weather events such as heatwaves were also said to have contributed.
THE THREE As
The report's authors suggest a new framework - the "Three As" - as a way to avoid further ecosystem collapse.
Awareness: increasing the public's awareness of the value of ecosystems
Anticipation: better planning to be prepared for risks to the ecosystems
Action: rapid action to reduce any risks identified