Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 1.2:
Examples of species influencing key ecosystem function. (a) A colony of Sugar Gliders can
consume more than 20 kilos of insects each year, including invertebrates that would otherwise contribute to
paddock tree dieback. (Photo by Esther Beaton). (b) Australian White Ibis - a bird species known to consume
large quantities of pasture insects. (Photo by Julian Robinson). (c) Lesser Long-eared Bats. A wide range of
species of microbats occur in agricultural landscapes. A single individual can consume large quantities of
pest insects - sometimes more than half its body weight in just one night of foraging. (Photo by Mason
Crane)
condition of native vegetation. Some of these schemes,
such as the Box-Gum Grassy Woodland Stewardship
Program, are being expanded with plans to implement
them through large parts of rural Australia and across
many kinds of ecosystems. Landholders currently not in
these schemes, but who manage their properties with
joint conservation and production goals, are more likely to be among those
targeted to be paid under such programs in the future.
Other kinds of incentive schemes may develop in the coming years. For
example, it is clear that tackling climate change is one of the major social and
environmental challenges of this century. Deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions
will be critical, but so will sequestration of carbon. The establishment of areas of
native vegetation (including the establishment of native pastures) will be
important, and key places to do that include areas of agricultural land where
Financial incentives
programs now exist
that pay landholders to
conserve native plants and
animals on their farms
