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Issue: Pressures on biodiversity - Land clearing

This is an issue under the Biodiversity theme of the Data Reporting System.

Why we need to know about this issue

Previous state of the environment reports have recognised the clearing of native vegetation as one of the biggest threats to Australia’s biodiversity. The loss and fragmentation of habitat is a primary threat to the viability of many species.

Indicators

• LD-01 The proportion and area of native vegetation and changes over time 
  Clearing of native vegetation removes the biodiversity living there both directly and by removing its habitat. Extent of land cleared of native vegetation gives a broad indication of the extent to which biodiversity has been affected.
• LD-03 Change in extent and proportion of woody vegetation, clearing and regrowth 
  Woody vegetation is generally perennial and deep-rooted, providing year-round habitat for other biota and protecting soil, micro-climate, groundwater and water catchments. It is woody vegetation that has seen the most significant reductions since the European invasion. Extent and change in extent, clearing and regrowth of woody vegetative is a direct indicator of the pressure of land clearing on biodiversity.
• LD-17 Fragmentation of remnant vegetation 
  Fragmentation of habitat as a result of land clearing places further pressure on serving biodiversity, isolating populations from sources of recruitment and intensifying competition for remaining niches.
• BD-08 Estimated loss of biodiversity resulting from land clearing 
  The immediate effect of clearance of native vegetation on plant and animal species can be significant. When land is cleared, everything that lives in it is killed. Estimates of the number killed are a direct indicator for this pressure.

Related issues

• Land - Land condition - Condition of terrestrial species and ecological communities 
• Land - Land condition - Land cover 
• Land - Direct pressure of human activities on the land - Land clearing 
• Biodiversity - Landscapes - Ecosystem diversity 
• Biodiversity - Species, habitats and ecological communities - Species diversity