Opportunities in Biodiversity
Dec 23, 2015
Opportunities in Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity?
“The variety of life forms: the different plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they form.
It is usually considered at three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity.”
(National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity).
What is biodiversity?
Species Diversity
The variety of different
plant and animal species
in an area.
What is biodiversity?
Genetic diversity
This describes the variety of genetic information contained in individual plants, animals and microorganisms.
What is biodiversity?Ecosystem diversity
the variety of habitats and ecological processes, as well as the tremendous diversity present within ecosystems in terms of habitat differences
Ecosystem Services“The economy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the environment” Paul
Hawkins
Ecosystem services provided by nature include:
Biological control Predator control by prey species
Climate regulation Greenhouse gas regulation
Cultural Aesthetics; recreational, educational, spiritual benefits
Disturbance regulation Storm protection, flood control
Erosion control, sediment retention Prevention of loss of soil
Food production Production of fish, game, bush foods
Gas regulation CO2 /02 balance
Genetic resources Genes for resistance to plant pathogens and crop pests
Ecosystem ServicesNutrient cycling Nitrogen fixation
Pollination Provision of pollinators
Raw materials Production of timber, fuel or fodder
Refugia Regional habitats for locally harvested species
Soil formation Accumulation of organic material
Water supply Provision of water by watersheds, reservoirs
Waste treatment Pollution control
Water regulation Provision of clean water for agriculture
Ecosystem Services
Examples of ecosystem services supplying Horticulture :
Biological control Climate regulation Pollination Refugia Soil formation Water regulation Water supply Waste treatment
100 Ibis eat up to 25 000 insects per day. These include Grasshoppers and Locusts which are pest species on
farms.
Ecosystem processes Economics
Aesthetics and culture Ethics
Current Financial Opportunities
Rate Rebates Rehabilitation/restoration grants
(envirofund; Threatened species network; water quality and landcare)
Nature Assist Covenants (VCAs; NCA; EPBC (income
tax); Land for Wildlife
Emerging Markets
‘Success goes to those who get to the future first.’
- Peter Ellyard, Futurist.
Carbon Credits Biodiversity Credits Environmental Stewardship Program Offsets
Carbon Credits
Currently operating on offsetting carbon emissions eg nrmacarbonators
formalized when Australian Govt brings in carbon trading framework in 2011
Being established here with Degrees Celcius and Terrain who are aiming to look at covering Revegetation efforts.
Biodiversity Credits
Not yet formally established Not yet included in carbon credit assessments Potential market for tourists and companies
looking for environmental and social credits Wet Tropics well placed to take advantage of
this market with unique biodiversity values
Environmental stewardship Aim: “to maintain and improve the quality and extent of targeted
high public value environmental assets on private land.”
Will target environmental assets that are matters of National Environmental Significance (NES) as listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999:
• nationally endangered or vulnerable species and ecological communities;
• migratory species and wetlands for which Australia has international responsibilities; and
• natural values associated with world and national heritage places.
Purchase outcomes from landholders through cost-effective contracts for up to 15 years. Tender scheme, voluntary management agreements or covenants.
$50M over 4 years Works “above regulatory responsibilities”
Offsets
Offset the impacts of developments Applied to similar areas where
disturbance takes place Currently occurring in Wet Tropics State and Federal Government policy
being developed
Other emerging markets
Marketing advantage entering into an Environmental Management (quality assurance) System that includes biodiversity criteria.
Biotechnology and indigenous plant production Organic or environmentally sustainable food Developing and selling skills in environmental
management and restoration Accessing Ethical Investment funds for
business development
DESIGN PRINCIPLESPatches Quality
Protect the best native
vegetation first Size and number
The bigger the better The more types of
habitat, the better
Design PrinciplesShape and edges:
The more compact, the betterConsider ‘edge effects’Include buffers
PositionInclude all land classes
SitesLocal significance
Include watercoursesProvide for threatened species (rare, vulnerable, endangered)
Design PrinciplesLinkagesConnectivity and corridors:
The more connected, the better. Include corridorsProvide stepping stones
Design Principles
MatrixMosaics
Integrate nature conservation areas with surrounding landuse
Nature in the landscapeThe three Rs The priority for conserving flora and
fauna is to retain the priority remnant vegetation that remains, restore the quality of degraded habitats and then revegetate cleared areas.
Partnerships
Community, corporate and government partnerships are the way of the future and not only in NRM and Landcare.
• A shared vision, developed together (at some level);• Some common outcome (desired and/or real);• Sharing knowledge and experiences about the past, present and
future (your grandchildren);• Ongoing commitment – recognizing the long term nature of NRM
activities;• Ongoing facilitation and technical support from some partner/party;• Agreed predictable responsibilities, accountabilities and
communication activities;• Participatory decision making processes; and• Celebrating successes.
Partnerships
Business motivation for partnerships with community groups includes:
• Long term business sustainability;
• Links to their core business;
• Risk management (to new and existing development);
• Establishment of a credible track record in environmental activities eg; greenhouse;
• Early compliance with regulatory standards; or
• Inclusion in ethical investment funds;
• Employee morale and engagement.