Biodiversity

By Murray Ralph

What is biodiversity and Why is it so important? Biodiversity is short for biological diversity, and includes all plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms and the ecosystems that support them.

All life, including humans, depends on healthy and functioning ecosystems to provide:

What are the main threats to biodiversity in this area?

What can you do to protect and enhance biodiversity on your property?

Individual landowners can contribute to protecting biodiversity in the local landscape in a variety of ways:

Landowners also have legal responsibilities regarding the management of native vegetation and fauna on their properties. Under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and Victorian Planning Provisions 1996, a planning permit is required to destroy, remove or lop native vegetation on private land (some exemptions apply). All native animal species are protected.