114 new threatened species top horror State of Environment Report for Qld
Queensland's newest State of the Environment Report exposes the shocking decline of the state's natural heritage over the past four years, including 48 new animal and 66 new plant species listed as threatened.
Released last night, the four-yearly report demonstrates the devastating impact on Queensland wildlife and ecosystems from deforestation, native forest logging, and climate change.
In total, 114 new animal and plant species have been added to Queensland’s threatened species list, bringing the total above 1000. Three species are now listed as extinct in the wild, bringing the total to 15.
Meanwhile, Queensland’s emissions from mining and industrial energy continue to rise dramatically, with overall emissions only dropping due to the outsized role of Queensland forests acting as carbon sinks.
Key facts
- Threatened species have increased by 114, including 48 animals and 66 plants
- 3 new species listed as "extinct in the wild", including blue-grey mouse (Pseudomys glaucus), Capricorn rabbit-rat (Conilurus capricornensis), Percy Island flying-fox (Pteropus brunneus)
- Greatest threats are deforestation, climate change, human activity. Over a fifth of original habitat has been lost and just 10% of habitat is protected in National Parks
QCC Nature Campaigner Natalie Frost said
We are clearly failing in our responsibility to protect Queensland's iconic wildlife from extinction, and failing hard.
The new State of Environment Report paints a bleak picture of Queensland's precious plants and animals, with 48 animal and 66 plant species added to the threatened species list.
This shows the shameful failure of Queensland to do what it takes to protect our Great Barrier Reef and the places, plants and animals that we all hold dear.
The report makes it clear that deforestation, climate change, and human activity is to blame for this tragic loss of Queensland’s animals and plants.
These are things we can change, but instead of acting urgently to save our native species we are firing up the chainsaws and letting rip.
Queensland’s deforestation rate is the highest in Australia, five times that of New South Wales and rivalling global hotspots like Brazil.
We know from the latest data that more than 300,000 hectares of forest and bushland is being cleared every year, primarily for grazing.
In one year alone more than 70,000 hectares, or around 9400 Suncorp Stadiums, of pristine remnant forest is bulldozed - original Queensland woodland that provides important habitat for wildlife like greater gliders and koalas.
Meanwhile, the State Government is preparing to intensify logging across Queensland’s beautiful native forests, putting iconic species that depend on old trees for hollows like the greater glider at risk of extinction.
While there appears to be a good news story here with the decline of Queensland’s emissions from 2005 - 2022, this is largely off the back of Queensland’s forests doing the hard yards and acting as a carbon sink.
Industrial electricity grew by 52%, transport by 20% and fugitive emissions from mining from 40% over the reporting period.
That is catastrophic for Queensland communities and especially the Great Barrier Reef, which are already being impacted by climate change through floods, bushfires and sea level rises.
This report was released very quietly by the Crisafulli Government, but the facts in it shout louder than ever - Queensland’s plants and animals are dying. They need our help and they need it now.
Share
Tweet
Email