Conservation and biodiversity

Year 11 Outdoor education

What is conservation??

Conservation

Conservation is the protection, maintenance, management, sustainable use, restoration and enhancement of the natural environment.

It is the safe guarding of the natural environment and of the native species of plants and animals.

Who should this be a concern to?

Leave no trace principles…

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Dispose of Waste Properly

Leave What You Find

Minimise Campfire Impacts

Respect Wildlife

Be Considerate of Your Hosts and Other Visitors

The world in your hands….THE WORLD IS IN YOUR HANDS…

What is biodiversity??

Biodiversity is…

The variety of all life forms, the different plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form. Western Australia is one of the most diverse, biological regions in the world..

How many bioregions does Western Australia have?

26

How many mammals exist in Western Australia?

226

How many species of birds exist in Western Australia?

613

How many types of reptiles live in Western Australia??

560

How many species of freshwater fish inhabit Western Australian waterways?

73

Other interesting biodiversity's of Western Australia…

There are more than 6000 named species of cryptogams (algae, fungi, lichens and bryophytes)

An estimated 80,000 species of insects

More than 12, 000 species of vascular plants

Risks to biodiversity

204 native animals and 378 native plants are formally listed as threatened with extinction

A further 400 native animals and 450 native plants are at risk of extinction because of salinity levels

More than 3000 native plants are susceptible to phytophthora (die back)

Introduced species, fire hazards habitat destruction and climate change (next week)

Conservation and biodiversity