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2. Biodiversity

Biodiversity

 

Wetlands are one of the most biodiverse habitats, the central west catchment is home to the internationally recognised Macquarie Marshes.

 

• The Macquarie Marshes are an extensive wetland system covering an area of 220,000 hectares in north-west New South Wales, representing one of the largest semi-permanent wetlands in south-eastern Australia.

• Commencing in the south at Marebone Weir, which is situated 50kms north of Warren, they extend to the north a further 100kms until all the channels unite to form one near Carinda.

 

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Catchment and Management Targets for Biodiversity until 2016.

Target Overview:

 

Catchment Target (CTB1):

• By 2016, 460,000ha (5%) of the catchment is managed primarily for biodiversity outcomes (aquatic and terrestrial) including ecosystem diversity. The intent of the catchment target for biodiversity is to ensure that the variety of species and ecosystems, both aquatic and terrestrial, is maintained throughout the catchment by means of appropriate and sustainable management. This target includes the area of the catchment listed as National Parks.

Management Target (MTB1):

• By 2016, 10,000 ha of High Conservation Value habitat types to be managed to maintain or improve their biodiversity value.

Management Target (MTB2):

• By 2016, undertake 10 projects identified from Priority Action Statements and/or Species Recovery Plans to maintain viable priority species, populations or communities.

Management Target (MTB3):

• By 2016, maintain or enhance in-stream habitat features along all streams, and improve 100km of highly degraded native riparian/in-stream habitat along streams.

Management Target (MTB4):

• By 2016, address 10 projects identified from management actions in integrated pest animal management plans (eg Threat Abatement Plans).

 

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Targets in Detail:

The biodiversity targets meet the following Natural Resources Commission's State-wide Targets as referenced in the Catchment Action Plan:

• Community Targets - 12, 13, 14;
• Water Targets - 8;
• Biodiversity Targets - 2, 3, 4;
• Land 10.

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Catchment Target (CTB1)

By 2016, 460,000ha (5%) of the catchment is managed primarily for biodiversity outcomes (aquatic and terrestrial) including ecosystem diversity. The intent of the catchment target for biodiversity is to ensure that the variety of species and ecosystems, both aquatic and terrestrial, is maintained throughout the catchment by means of appropriate and sustainable management. This target includes the area of the catchment listed as National Parks.

 

Clarification of Terms

Managed primarily for biodiversity:

• Land use and land management decisions are made on the basis that the maintenance of the variety of life-forms, plants, animals and micro-organisms of the catchment and the ecosystems that support them, is the primary goal.

Ecosystem diversity:

• Relates to the variety of habitats, biotic communities and ecological processes, as well as the diversity present within ecosystems in terms of habitat differences and ecological processes.

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Management Target (MTB1)

By 2016, 10,000ha of High Conservation Value habitat types to be managed to maintain or improve their biodiversity value. The intent of the target is to manage those habitats identified as High Conservation Value to prevent further decline and to ultimately assist efforts toward the recovery of threatened communities and populations.

The areas for High Conservation Value are currently not identified, however the Central West CMA has contracted a project that will produce such information. Once produced, the CMA has identified funding for a further modelled layer of habitat to target investment for restoration and repair.

 

Clarification of Terms

High conservation value:

• Habitat types seen as threatened due to alteration or fragmentation experienced from pressure through clearing and land use. Includes the habitat of those communities and populations of species listed as endangered or vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and the Environment Protection and Conservation Act 1999.

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Management Target (MTB2)

By 2016, undertake 10 projects identified from Priority Action Statements and/or Species Recovery Plans to maintain viable priority species, populations or communities. Threatened species and communities are highlighted in importance in both legislation and Commonwealth priorities. Gazetted Threatened Species and Communities are required to be addressed in Priority Action Statements or Recovery Action Plans to manage the process of restoring the populations of the threatened communities.

The intent of this target is to ensure that the priority management actions are undertaken and encourage the recovery of threatened species in the catchment. In conjunction with DEC, the Central West CMA will develop a ranking process for identified projects. This will ensure that the projects will maintain or improve viability of guilds or multiple species.

 

Clarification of Terms

Recovery action plans:

• Recovery plans set out the research and management actions necessary to stop the decline of, and support the recovery of, listed threatened species or threatened ecological communities. The aim of a recovery plan is to maximise the long term survival in the wild of a threatened species or ecological community. Recovery plans should state what must be done to protect and restore important populations of threatened species and habitat, as well as how to manage and reduce threatening processes.

• Recovery plans achieve this aim by providing a planned and logical framework for key interest groups and responsible government agencies to coordinate their work to improve the plight of threatened species and/or ecological communities.

Priority Action Statements:

• Species, populations or communities are identified in Priority Action Statements prepared in accordance with the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995).

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Management Target (MTB3)

By 2016, maintain or enhance instream habitat features along all streams, and improve 100km of highly degraded native riparian/ instream habitat along streams. The target identifies native riparian vegetation as having habitat value for a large variety of terrestrial species and has a significant impact on the value of instream habitat, through shading, bank stabilisation, contribution of large woody debris etc. A

n assessment of rivers in the Central West catchment has estimated 5,783km are identified with poor habitat. Enhancement of the riparian/instream habitat includes costs for fencing out stock and reintroducing snags into the river channel. Bearing these costs in mind, the CMA estimated a target of 100km as an achievable target.

It is recognised that this figure appears relatively small to the overall area, and will depend on effective targeting of investment. This target is will also provide benefits for native vegetation and for water environments.

Clarification of Terms

Riparian:

• In its simplest sense refers to the riverbank area. In an ecological sense it is the zone that is directly influenced by a river or creek and in turn, directly influences the water body. Riparian vegetation in this sense includes aquatic and terrestrial vegetation that provides habitat for native plants and animals.

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Management Target (MTB4)

By 2016, address 10 projects identified from management actions in integrated pest animal management plans (eg Threat Abatement Plans). Pest animal management plans and strategies aim to maximise the effectiveness of pest animal control programs and identify the major pest species populations within the region and states a criteria for prioritising control programs.

The intent of this target is to ensure that management actions within integrated pest animal management plans are addressed as they are developed over the 10 year period of the plan. It is acknowledged that at the commencement of the CAP, only one Threat Abatement Plan existed (Fox Threat Abatement Plan) along with the Central West Region Pest Management Strategy. However it is envisaged that more plans will be developed in the life of the CAP as listed key threatening processes are assessed and the Priorities Action Statement is produced under NSW Threatened Species legislation.

To ensure effective projects for development, the Central West CMA, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders will identify projects to address a range of pest issues across the catchment.

 

Clarification of Terms

Threat Abatement Plans:

• Threat abatement plans provide for the research, management, and any other actions necessary to reduce the impact of a listed Key Threatening Process on a threatened species or ecological community. Implementing the plan should assist the long term survival in the wild of the threatened species or ecological community.

 

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Further Information:

If you would like more information from the Central West CMA please email: cw@cma.nsw.gov.au