Threatened Species Search for Environmental Assessment: Australia NSW

A Threatened Species Search is an integral part of the Environmental Assessment process in Australia. Environmental Assessments review the potential ecological impacts of proposed developments like new infrastructure projects. A key component is examining effects on threatened flora and fauna.

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Threatened species are native plants and animals classified as endangered or vulnerable to extinction. In NSW, the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 protects listed threatened species and their habitats. It is essential to identify any threatened species that may inhabit or rely on a development site. Their survival could be jeopardized if habitats are damaged or destroyed.

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Detailed Threatened Species Searches are thus conducted to record occurrences of threatened species populations. This involves desktop research and field surveys of the site ecology by qualified ecologists. Any sightings are documented to determine utilization of the area, including seasonal movements. The data informs the overall Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposal.

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The search results will guide strategies to avoid, minimise and mitigate harm to threatened species. Solutions may include modifying project boundaries, staging works around breeding seasons, retaining vegetation buffers, or relocating critical habitat like nesting trees. Stringent assessment ensures compliance with biodiversity protection legislation. It enables sustainable development while conserving vulnerable native wildlife and plants.

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What is a Threatened Species Search in Australia?

A Threatened Species Search involves surveying a site to identify any endangered or vulnerable plant and animal species listed under legislation. In Australia, qualified ecologists typically conduct searches to strict standards.

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Key requirements include:

• Undertaking desktop analysis of existing records and habitat mapping to determine likelihood of threatened species occurrence.
• Carrying out field surveys following scientific sampling techniques - these may involve trapping, call playback, spotlighting, vegetation mapping, depending on target species.
• Complying with survey effort requirements under the BC Act, EPBC Act - minimum hours/sessions over optimal seasons.
• Assessing likelihood of occurrence based on habitat quality and local populations. Document any threatened species sightings.
• Recommending mitigation strategies in the Ecological Impact Assessment report.

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Thorough searches following legislation ensure impacts on threatened biodiversity are minimised.

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What is the Threatened Species Act in Australia?

Australia's key legislation is the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. This national Act aims to protect threatened native species and ecological communities. It regulates actions with significant impact on matters of national environmental significance.

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The EPBC Act was influenced by the pioneering Endangered Species Act 1973 in the United States. Other countries like New Zealand, Canada, and the Philippines later followed with their own threatened species protection laws.

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All Australian states and territories also have threatened species acts, like the BC Act 2016 in NSW. These cover additional threatened entities not nationally listed under the EPBC Act. Together these ensure threatened biodiversity is preserved.

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When is a Threatened Species Assessment required in NSW Australia?

In NSW, proposed developments and activities that are likely to significantly affect threatened species require a Threatened Species Assessment under the BC Act 2016.

Examples of projects needing assessment include:

• Land clearing activities disturbing over 1 hectare of native vegetation.
• New infrastructure like roads, pipelines, transmission lines impacting critical habitat.
• Urban subdivisions and residential estates, especially on the outskirts of cities.
• Commercial or industrial developments with large footprints.
• Mining and extractive industries affecting native bushland.
• Aquaculture farms and dams situated near threatened aquatic species habitats.

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The assessment determines risks and compliance under biodiversity protection laws. It enables project modification to avoid illegal harm.

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What does a Threatened Species Assessment include?

A Threatened Species Assessment examines the subject site for known or potential threatened species populations and habitat. Key components are:

• Desktop analysis of databases, habitat mapping, existing records of threatened species sightings.
• Detailed field surveys by qualified ecologists following scientific methodologies to detect threatened fauna and flora.
• Categorising the landscape into habitat condition from minimal to core habitat for each threatened species. This follows the framework in NSW of Area of Geographic Extent of Habitat, Area of Suitable Habitat and Area of Occupied Habitat.
• Identifying threats the project poses - clearing, fragmentation, erosion, noise, light pollution etc.
• Assessing significance of impacts based on species vulnerability and habitat dependence.
• Recommending mitigation measures to alleviate impacts - minimise clearing, establish buffers etc.
• Determining offsets required to compensate for any residual loss of threatened species values.

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The assessment provides a complete appraisal of risks to biodiversity for the consent and environmental approval process.

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What are the methods used to perform a Threatened Species Assessment?

The key steps in a Threatened Species Assessment include:

• Desktop analysis - Reviewing databases, habitat mapping, existing threatened species records to determine likely presence.
• Field surveys - Undertaking systematic fauna and flora surveys using scientifically robust techniques like trapping, spotlighting, vegetation plots over optimal seasons.
• Habitat assessment - Mapping and categorising habitat condition into geographic extent, suitable habitat and occupied habitat.
• Impact appraisal - Identifying significance of potential impacts from the proposal based on habitat dependence.
• Mitigation strategies - Recommending solutions to avoid, minimise, mitigate impacts like clearing controls, limiting construction timing.
• Offset calculations - Quantifying any residual impacts and required offsets to compensate for the loss of threatened species values.
• Reporting - Documenting all assessment methods, results, recommendations in an ecological report to inform approvals.

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The rigorous, multi-faceted assessment provides reliable data on threatened species presence and risks.

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Who is responsible for conducting a Threatened Species Assessment?

Threatened Species Assessments are generally conducted by qualified ecologists who specialise in fauna and flora field studies.

Ecologists are suitably qualified because:

• Tertiary training in environmental science, ecology, conservation biology provides relevant expertise.
• Experience conducting habitat assessments, species surveys using accepted scientific techniques.
• Familiarity with threatened species Typical key responsibilities during the assessment are:
• Designing field sampling program, conducting surveys.
• Mapping and categorising habitat types.
• Identifying threatened species populations and assessing significance of impacts.
• Advising on mitigation strategies aligned to legislation.

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Their specialist ecological knowledge helps ensure rigorous assessments to support the Environmental Impact Assessment process. Other professionals like environmental consultants can also contribute.

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How do Threatened Species Assessments help with conservation in Australia?

Threatened Species Assessments are vital for minimising harm to endangered plants and animals from development impacts. Key benefits include:

• Identifying threatened species populations early so habitat damage can be avoided through project redesign.
• Assessing significance of potential impacts based on species vulnerability, enabling tailored mitigation strategies.
• Maintaining habitat linkages and wildlife corridors to prevent fragmentation.
• Providing data to guide biodiversity offset calculations to compensate for unavoidable losses.
• Monitoring threatened species during construction to check compliance with protection measures.
• Increasing understanding of threatened species distributions and ecology to improve conservation.

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Without proper assessments, many developments have contributed to species decline. For example, land clearing for agriculture decimated temperate grasslands and species like the Plains Wanderer reliant on them (1). Construction of a naval base led to destruction of critical nesting habitat for the endangered Swift Parrot (2).

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Sources:

(1) https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/892-conservation-advice.pdf

‍(2) https://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/senate/environment_and_communications/swiftparrot/report

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What are the most threatened species in Australia?

The top 10 most threatened species are:

1. Christmas Island Pipistrelle (bat)
2. Christmas Island Forest Skink
3. Orange-bellied Parrot
4. Southern Corroboree Frog
5. Kangaroo Island Dunnart
6. Regent Honeyeater
7. Gilbert's Potoroo
8. Western Swamp Tortoise
9. Mount Lofty Ranges Southern Emu Wren
10. Plains-wanderer

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What are the Australian endangered species?

According to the EPBC Act, over 1,800 species are listed as threatened or endangered in Australia. Iconic examples of endangered Australian animals include:

• Tasmanian Devil
• Koala
• Leadbeater's Possum
• Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat
• Lord Howe Island Stick Insect

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Targeted assessments and conservation programs are critical to prevent extinction and retain Australia’s unique biodiversity.