Yass Valley

Issue: Biodiversity

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What does the local government area have?

Yass Valley Local Government Area (LGA) has a moderate biodiversity—36 different vegetation types have been mapped there, and at least 862 plant species (native and introduced), 176 bird species, 24 fish species, 64 mammal species, 50 reptile species and 15 amphibian species have been recorded.

This biodiversity reflects the level of land clearance—73% of the LGA is under agriculture with the majority of native vegetation having been removed. Land under some form of conservation reserve comprises only about 6% of the LGA. Bushland comprises 17% of the area and mostly occurs on private land. Many remnants of native vegetation in the LGA are in a degraded state.

The LGA contains occurrences of four endangered ecological communities and populations of three plant and 35 animal species that are listed nationally or in New South Wales (NSW) vulnerable or endangered. An additional 12 plant species and 18 animal species are listed as vulnerable or endangered are predicted to occur in the area.

What has changed?

Insufficient data were available to assess many aspects of the LGA's biodiversity during the reporting period. The major data gaps included changes in the extent and condition of terrestrial and riparian ecosystems (including vegetation change by clearing and fire), changes in native species populations and abundance, changes in threatening processes, changes in aquatic macroinvertebrates, changes in pest plant and animal species numbers/densities and effectiveness of control measures and extent to which recovery plan actions have been carried out and their effectiveness. Data quality is generally poor as there is little monitoring or systematic collection of data on species, populations or communities.

The number of ecological communities and species present in the LGA and listed as vulnerable or endangered increased during the current reporting period. One ecological community with occurrences in the LGA was upgraded from endangered to critically endangered, while one ecological community was listed as endangered in NSW. Two other ecological communities were listed previously, however were not reported as occurring in the LGA during 2000-2004 (note: ecological community listings were based on bioregions). The number of threatened plants with occurrences in the LGA decreased by four, and flora species (excluding non-natives) recorded in the LGA have decreased by 68, due to further refinement of existing flora data sets. Fauna species recorded in the LGA have increased by 38 during the current reporting period, primarily the result of different data sets, recent survey efforts and the inclusion of non native species for this reporting period. No analysis of change in status of fauna species took place during the current reporting period, however most pressures on these species are unlikely to have been reduced during the reporting period.

Although no quantitative data is available to indicate the condition of biodiversity is deteriorating within the LGA, general trends in NSW indicate the diversity of terrestrial species remains under threat and response mechanisms to protect them have not yet reversed this trend. Even where pressures on species are reduced, due to lag effects, it may take many years for the full effects to become evident. The number of species, populations and communities listed as threatened has generally increased over time. The distribution and abundance of many species not listed as threatened continues to decline due to habitat destruction and other pressures.

For this reason, NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 listings do not give a complete picture of the broader decline occurring across the region as habitats shrink and become fragmented, reducing ecological ranges and genetic diversity. Another problem may be the considerable time-lag involved in the process of identifying a species of concern, nominating it for listing and obtaining the data to finally determine its status. The true level of decline is unknown as the number of species is much greater than the state of knowledge about them. The vast majority of species that make up our biodiversity, such as invertebrates, have not been described, with their ecological functions known only in general terms and their conservation status not known at all in most cases. This lack of knowledge of the potential of impacts may itself contribute to biodiversity loss.

Habitat removal, disturbance and fragmentation, through vegetation clearing and/or modification, are thought to have continued as major threats to native species and ecosystems in the Council area. Population increase within the LGA and the resulting demand for urban and rural residential development during the reporting period continued to place pressure on native species and communities. Disturbances such as fires, weed invasion and drought were other main factors exerting pressure on native ecosystems in the LGA, leading to further degradation or loss of ecological communities or the habitat of native species. Pest animals continued to exert further pressure on ecological communities and species.

Insufficient information was available during the current reporting period to accurately assess the variety of programs and projects to enhance and protect biodiversity by the Shire Council, individuals and community groups.

The 'pressure points'

The 'pressure points' are specific processes that continue to exert detrimental effects upon species and ecological communities. If these continue unabated, they will cause these species and ecological communities to slide further towards extinction. These are the main pressures that need to be relieved in order to preserve and recover species and ecological communities through effective management strategies and actions.

Habitat removal, disturbance and fragmentation, through vegetation clearing and/or alteration, were considered major threats to native species and ecosystems in the LGA.
Drought conditions that were prevalent during much of the reporting period would have affected many native species and ecosystems in the LGA, although quantitative data was not available to determine the extent of impact.
About 114 hectares of land were affected by control burns in the period 2004–08. Three separate wildfires occurred within the LGA, however no information is available on areas burnt by these wildfires. No information is available on the number of vegetation communities, including those known to be fire sensitive, affected by fire, or the extent of impact on these communities.
Eight pest animal species and nine pest plant (weed) species were of high concern within the LGA during the reporting period.
There is already evidence of climate change impacts on biodiversity, including effects on species physiology, distribution and the timing of life-cycle events. Climate change is also expected to exacerbate other threatening processes. It may enable invasive species to expand into new areas, create more frequent forest fires and cause declining water quality. The combined effects of other pressures reduce the options for native species to adapt to climate change.

Protecting and enhancing biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of life: the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes and the ecosystems of which they are a part. Biodiversity is vital in supporting human life on Earth. The natural environment maintains many essential functions that form the foundation of a healthy and sustainable environment. These are often called 'ecosystem services' and include air and water purification, waste detoxification and decomposition, crop and natural vegetation pollination, dispersal of seeds and nutrients and regulation of climate.

Local Councils are in a prime position to take a leading role in maintaining these vital ecosystem services. A range of activities in the LGA during the reporting period were aimed at improving the condition of native ecosystems and the habitat of native species and reducing the pressures on them. The main responses to biodiversity loss on a state level are amendments to the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, introduction of the Priorities Action Statement, increasing the number of reserves in the protected area system, and natural resource management reforms.

A new management plan for Kosciuszko National Park was adopted in June 2006. Fire management plans that had been prepared and adopted for Black Andrew Nature Reserve, Burrinjuck Nature Reserve and Oak Creek Nature Reserve.

Of the 38 threatened species known to occur in Yass Valley LGA, recovery plans were in place for six animal species. Eighteen animal species were covered by three National Action Plans, at least two of which were completed prior to 2001.

Activities to control pest plant (weed) species of high concern were conducted in the LGA during the current reporting period, however changes in the relative abundance of targeted species was not known. Available data only showed changes resulting from implementation of controls and management plans for priority weeds between 2001 and 2008, i.e. between two reporting periods.

No information was available on plans, strategies or projects which Council may have developed to enhance biodiversity within the LGA or on ecological restoration projects involving Council and community groups.

The future—what does this mean for Council?

Continuing impacts from industry sectors such as agriculture and forestry are likely to exert ongoing pressures upon biodiversity in the LGA. The continued lack of data to allow a full assessment of the LGA's biodiversity status carries with it the risk that approved development proposals will have unanticipated adverse impacts. Lack of monitoring of native species, populations and communities within the LGA may also hamper conservation efforts, as impacts from urban and rural development, industry, forestry practices and other pressures (e.g. fire, drought) cannot be determined and remediation measures cannot be planned to an appropriate level. Monitoring is also essential to determine whether environmental plans and strategies and on-ground management projects are achieving the desired biodiversity outcomes.

Council needs to maintain appropriate effort and resources in the following areas of its environmental management.

Improve our knowledge of the region’s biodiversity through linking databases and information relating to biodiversity across government agencies. This, and close liaison with these agencies to encourage programs of data collection will aid conservation planners, land managers and members of the public to gain a clearer and more up-to-date picture of biodiversity within the region and associated management issues relevant to it. The greatest information need (and the one that will be most important in the longer term) is the development of agreed methodologies for assessing vegetation condition that will facilitate its monitoring and reporting.
Utilise a range of existing government agency programs (as outlined in the NSW Biodiversity Strategy) which protect native species and ecosystems across NSW. This includes initiatives such as adopting regional strategies (eg. pest management strategies) and management plans conducted with other agencies, local government, landowners and the community.
Implement the NSW Threatened Species Assessment Guidelines (DECC 2007) to assist the community, developers and Council assessment staff to ensure the legislative requirements are readily understood. Utilise regional-scale Biodiversity Survey and Assessment Guidelines (DCE 2004) that provide information about how to approach survey and assessment of biodiversity to inform regional planning.
Continue to ensure biodiversity impacts are adequately considered in planning for and implementing landuse zoning, assessment of development applications, road management and construction activities, stormwater management, hazard control burning and weed control activities. The regulation of these activities needs to be in accordance with legislative requirements and also include, as a minimum, consideration of terrestrial and aquatic native species and ecosystems generally, in addition to specific consideration of endangered ecological communities and vulnerable or endangered plant and animal species known or predicted to occur in the Shire.
Incorporate best practice for biodiversity planning as outlined in the Biodiversity Planning Guidelines for Local Government (Commonwealth of Australia, 2006). This Guide aims to assist Councils to carry out biodiversity conservation as part of their day-to-day functions, especially those relating to planning and development. The Guide highlights the importance of planning for biodiversity conservation and the need to integrate regulatory and other approaches to achieve improvement. It shows how Councils can conserve biodiversity through their existing regulatory and operational functions. The Guide does not create new planning processes, but presents a package of strategies and tools that can be applied within existing frameworks.
Educate staff and the wider community on biodiversity. There is generally poor understanding of the importance of biodiversity in maintaining life support systems for human and environmental health. A broader understanding and appreciation of the values of biodiversity and will assist in underpinning future success in conserving biodiversity and critical ecological services.
Help ensure appropriate (relevant and achievable) monitoring programs are in place to measure the effectiveness of Council's environmental policies, strategies, management activities and on-ground restoration projects in achieving desired biodiversity outcomes.
Continue to support and encourage community involvement in biodiversity conservation and monitoring.
Maintain collaborative arrangements with other land management agencies within the Region to ensure ongoing effectiveness with pest animal and plant control; fire management; and to develop awareness of new land management principles, innovations or approaches.
Work closely with the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority to help ensure consistency in approach to biodiversity conservation and complementary actions to achieve this.

References

Commonwealth of Australia. 2006. Biodiversity for local government. Available online. http://www.nrm.gov.au/publications/factsheets/pubs/bio-local-govt.pdf. accessed 18/11/08

DCE (Department of Conservation and Environment), NSW. 2004. Threatened Biodiversity Survey and Assessment: Guidelines for Developments and Activities. Working Draft. Sydney.Available online. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/TBSAGuidelinesDraft.pdf. accessed 18/11/08

DECC (NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change).2007. NSW Threatened Species Assessment Guidelines. Sydney. Available online. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/threatenedspecies/tsaguide07393.pdf, accessed 18/11/08

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Regional State of the Environment Report 2008