SoE reports from all jurisdictions report that the pressures on biodiversity identified above are ongoing and significant. The strength of different pressures differs from place to place and through time, as well as within and between jurisdictions. The evidence that these pressures are having effects comes mainly from research on particular species and groups of species in particular situations (e.g. effects of diseases on particular native plant or animal species or effects of habitat fragmentation on forest or woodland animals). Information on which to base assessments of trends in the strength or consequences of these pressures regionally or nationally is, however, very limited (Table 8.18).
| Pressures | Current report capacity rating |
|---|---|
| Trends in habitat fragmentation and decline in ecosystem function | Poor nationally Moderate at case-study level |
| The range and relative importance of threats to biodiversity over time | Poor nationally Moderate for listed species and communities |
| Trends in the impacts of climate change on biodiversity | Poor nationally Poor at case-study level |
| Trends in the impacts of land-use change on biodiversity | Poor nationally Good for clearing rates in Queensland Moderate at case-study level |
| Trends in the impacts of invasive species and pathogens on biodiversity | Poor nationally Good at case-study level |
| Trends in the impacts of grazing pressure on biodiversity | Poor nationally Moderate at case-study level |
| Trends in the impacts of altered fire regimes on biodiversity | Poor nationally Good at case-study level |
Source: Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts15
Dr Steven Cork
