Conservation of Australia's biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of all life forms on earth – the different plants, animals and micro-organisms and the ecosystems of which they are a part.
2010 International Year of Biodiversity
2010 is the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity
|
Australia is the most megadiverse developed country and supports almost 10 per cent of the biological diversity on earth. Australia's biodiversity makes a significant contribution to its economy and is essential to our identity and culture. Find out more about: |
National framework
Conservation under the EPBC Act
Find out about our unique biodiversity
Science and research
- Australia's Biological Resources Study
- Access to genetic resources
- Biodiversity hotspots
- Bird and bat banding
- National Environmental Research Program
Search online
- Species - Species Profiles and Threats
- Wetlands - Australian Wetlands Database
- Flora - Databases and resources
- Fauna - Databases and resources
- EPBC Act - EPBC Referrals and public notices
Latest news and events
August 2010
Guide to the List of CITES Species - Updated
The DEWHA Guide to the List of CITES Species has been updated to reflect recent changes to the species listed on the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The changes came into effect on Wednesday 23 June, 2010.
PLEASE NOTE: The 'Guide to the List of CITES Species' is not a complete list of CITES Species. It contains information on frequently traded species for quick reference. For a definitive list of CITES species please use the CITES species database available at: www.cites.org/eng/resources/species.html.
More information on CITES-listed species and permit requirements can be obtained on this web site or by contacting wildlifetrade@environment.gov.au or PH: (02) 62741900.
June 2010
- Threatened Marine Ecological Communities
Workshop Report
A workshop was held on the 7th & 8th of September 2009 by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the Threatened Species Scientific Committee to bring marine scientists and other experts from across Australia together to examine how Marine Ecological Communities can be defined and assessed for listing under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
Threatened Marine Ecological Communities Workshop Report - Changes to CITES list - effective 23 June 2010
Changes to the species listed on the Appendices of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) will come into effect on Wednesday 23 June, 2010. These changes will affect individuals or businesses seeking to import or export listed species.
May 2010
- International Day for Biodiversity - 22 May 2010 - World famous bird habitat protected forever
A world-famous bird watching property in Queensland was today added to Australia's National Reserve System, protecting the habitat of hundreds of bird species.
April 2010
- Draft recovery plans for the Australian Sea Lion and the White Shark
Open for public comment