Environmental issues in Australia
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This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (April 2008) |
There are a number of environmental issues in Australia. Key conservation issues include the protection of Australian habitat from invasive species, soil salinity and the effects of mining and land clearing on the environment. The protection of wetlands and other unique habitats is becoming increasingly important to Australia. Other major environmental issues in Australia include the preservation of biodiversity especially in rainforests, and the protection of the Great Barrier Reef from environmental threats.
The culling of wild horses and kangaroos are two of the more controversial environmental issues in Australia. Recognising the problem and dealing with climate change in Australia while formulating an appropriate energy policy have been key environmental issues for the current Australian Government.[citation needed] The protection of waterways in Murray-Darling Basin and more generally the sustainability of irrigation in Australia are also major issues.
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[edit] Climate change
- See also: Effects of global warming on Australia
[edit] Conservation
[edit] Invasive species
Australia's geographical isolation has resulted in the evolution of many delicate ecological relationships that are sensitive to foreign invaders and in many instances provided no natural predators for many of the species subsequently introduced. Introduced plants that have caused widepread problems are lantana and the prickly pear bush. The introduction and spread of animals such as the cane toad or rabbit can disrupt the existing balances between populations and develop into environmental problems. The introduction of cattle into Australia and to a lesser extant the dingo, are other examples of species that have changed the landscape. In some cases the introduction of new species can lead to plagues and the extinction of endeminic species.
[edit] Fauna
- See also: Extinct Australian animals
[edit] Land clearing
In the prehistory of Australia the indigenous Australians used fire to clear land for the hunting of game and encouraging new growth. With colonisation the majority of cleared land in Australia has been developed for cattle, cotton and wheat production. The extinction of 20 different mammal, 9 bird and 97 plant species have been partially attributed to land clearing. Land clearing is a major source of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, and contributed to approximately 12 percent of Australia’s total emissions in 1998.
Consequences of land clearing is dryland salinity and soil erosion. Since European settlement a total of 13% of native vegetation cover has been lost.
[edit] Soil salinity
Soil salinity affects 5 million ha of Australia and is predominantly due to land clearance.
[edit] Uranium
Australia has the largest reserves of uranium in the world and there has been a number of enquiries on uranium mining. The anti-nuclear movement in Australia is actively opposing mining as well as preventing the construction of nuclear power plants.
DDR
[edit] Whaling
Whaling in Australia took place from colonisation in 1788. In 1979 Australia terminated whaling and committed to whale protection. The main varieties hunted were Humpback, Blue, Right and Sperm Whales.[1]
[edit] See also
- Environment of Australia
- List of environmental issues
- Envirotalk - Australia's Largest Environmental Discussion Forum
[edit] References
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