Biodiversity
Preserving Tasmania’s Biodiversity and Ecosystems
The Biodiversity Theme encompasses the full variety of life found in the state, including all species of plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms, and the ecosystems in which they live. While biodiversity refers to all living things, the NRM organisations focus on natural assets native to the state.
Ecologically-functioning systems are those that can maintain their biodiversity and ecological processes. A highly functioning ecosystem can support the full complement of its biodiversity and contribute to a range of ecosystem services. By contrast, poorly functioning ecosystems lose biodiversity and other resources such as soil, water, and nutrients, leading to the local extinction of species. A highly functioning ecosystem is more resilient and has a greater capacity to adapt to change while maintaining similar function, structure, and composition. By protecting and conserving areas that support biodiversity, the diversity of genes, species, communities, and ecosystems is also maintained.
It is the suite of species and ecosystems that provide the services for health and well-being, including clean water, air, shelter, and food. Many agencies and individuals are working to protect and maintain Tasmania’s high value habitat for threatened species, important biodiversity areas and ecological communities. Tasmania’s NRM organisations work with partners to achieve shared strategic outcomes. Community and partner involvement in biodiversity programs range from monitoring, research, and on-ground restoration activities.
There is overlap between the Biodiversity, Land and Water Themes, including the maintenance of biodiversity on farms and resilient landscapes (Land Theme) and the prioritisation of Ramsar sites and aquatic and coastal habitats that support threatened species and ecological communities (Water Theme). The delivery of Actions across all Themes will contribute to the health of Tasmania’s biodiversity resources.
Threatened and Important Species
Important biodiversity areas are significant because they are home to a diversity of biota and include formally recognised sites such as World Heritage Areas, important reserves, recognised biodiversity hotspots or Key Biodiversity Areas.
Threatened and Important Ecological Communities
Threatened ecological communities include the communities listed under the EPBC Act and NC Act. Regionally or locally important and emerging priority ecological communities are also recognised.
Important biodiversity areas
Threatened species include species listed under the EPBC Act and TSP Act. Important species recognises that there are regionally or locally important species, as well as emerging threatened species.
Biodiversity in Tasmania
A snapshot of Tasmania’s biodiversity assets
42% Parks and Reserves
Tasmania has 19 national parks and 823 natural reserves, covering 42% of the island. This includes the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
The TWWHA is 15,800 km2, which is almost 25% of the state. It meets seven of the 10 UNESCO World Heritage criteria.
7 Commonwealth Listed Communities
Ecological communities listed as being under threat
These communities are diverse ranging from alpine to rainforest, buttongrass plains, wetlands and grasslands.
39 State Listed Communities
23 state-listed threatened forest communities and 16 state-listed threatened non-forest communities
State-wide, there are 39 listed communities. These include 23 forest communities and 16 non-forest communities.
689 Listed Plant and Animal Species
- 493 plant species
- 19 fish species
- 37 bird species
- 117 insect species
- 9 amphibian and reptile species
- 14 mammal species
- Threatened Species Protection Act 1995, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Current NRM Biodiversity Projects & Initiatives
Swift Parrot Nest Box Monitoring at Kelcey Tier Reserve
About the project The Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) is a critically endangered bird under the EPBC Act, with population estimates ranging from 300 – 700 birds remaining. This statewide project investigates habitat quality including the relationship between...
Improving Felixer cat control technology for use in Tasmanian Devil habitat
About the project Felixer grooming traps are an important new tool to manage feral cats, but they can not currently be used on mainland Tasmania. This project works towards the potential removal of restrictions, by training the Artificial Intelligence technology to...
Giant Freshwater Crayfish Recovery – Part 2
About the project Building on previous work by Cradle Coast NRM, this project focuses on six priority areas critical to the ongoing survival of Tasmania’s iconic, endemic Giant Freshwater Crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi). The project protects known populations and...
Community action for King Island Scrubtit and King Island Brown Thornbill protection
About the project This project implements actions across King Island to protect the habitat of two priority critically endangered species, the King Island Brown Thornbill and King Island Scrubtit. Building the capacity of landholders and community groups on King...