Land and Biodiversity24 May 2013Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority

Land and Biodiversity

The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority is responsible for providing the major strategic direction for biodiversity issues and sets catchment targets to ensure the ongoing protection of biodiversity in the Goulburn Broken catchment.

The CMA developed the following mission statement for biodiversity in 1999:

"The community will work in partnership with Federal and State Governments and other agencies to protect and enhance ecological processes and genetic diversity to secure the future of native species of plants, animals and other organisms within the Catchment."

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is defined as 'the natural variety of all life forms: the sum of all our native species of flora and fauna, plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genetic variation within them, their habitats, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems of which they are an integral part' (Victoria's Biodiversity Strategy 1997).

Why is Biodiversity Important?

Biodiversity is vital to our quality of life, underpinning our economic and social health and there is growing recognition of the existence value of biodiversity, such as the right of all species to exist.

Biodiversity is the basis for healthy ecosystems that provide essential services1, including

  • pollination
  • life-fulfilment (including aesthetic surroundings and cultural heritage)
  • regulation of climate
  • pest control
  • maintenance and provision of genetic resources
  • maintenance and generation of habitat
  • provision of shade and shelter
  • maintenance of soil health
  • maintaining healthy waterways
  • water filtration and erosion control
  • regulation of river flows and groundwater levels
  • waste absorption and breakdown
Biodiversity is renewable - but only if we use it and nurture it wisely. Biodiversity conservation therefore is a fundamental component of Australia's commitment to ecologically sustainable development.

In This Section

Biodiversity Assets in the Goulburn Broken
Australia is the only 'developed' country of 12 'mega diverse' countries, having an estimated 475,000 of the earth's 10 to 30 million species2.
Relevant Policy & Legislation
There are several pieces of legislation and policy that have been developed at a Commonwealth, State and Regional level to achieve better management of biodiversity.
Current Projects - Biodiversity
Land Health
Soils are the lifeblood of the catchment, providing environmental services that give life to flora, fauna and primary production.
Climate Change
Climate change and its associated changes to our natural, agricultural and urban environments is likely to bring profound changes to our community, ranging from decreased frosts, less and more erratic rainfall, more frequent wildfire, and species extinction. Increasingly, we are building adaptation strategies into all of our programs.
Resources & Publications
There are many things land managers can do to conserve biodiversity. Resources and Publications in this section are designed to help landholders in the Goulburn Broken Catchment.

Publications

Click here to view publications relating to biodiversity.

1 List from Cork et al Ecosystem Services: Natural Assets - An Inventory of Ecosystem Goods and Services in the Goulburn Broken Catchment, CSIRO 2001.