Managing threats
There are many threats that impact our native wildlife and their habitat, contributing to their risk of extinction.
Major threats include climate change, land clearing, inappropriate fire regimes, invasive species and human take or interference.
Climate change
Our changing weather patterns increase the risk of events such as cyclones, floods, droughts and bushfires which lead to an increase in losses of key native species and their habitats.
The Queensland Government is taking strong action on climate change and has set bold but achievable targets for reducing our emissions while creating jobs.
Land clearing
Loss of natural habitat through land clearing for urban development and agriculture can threaten native wildlife and their habitat.
A scientific review of the impacts of land clearing on threatened species in Queensland 2017 provides evidence that land clearing causes species decline and habitat loss, exacerbates other threatening processes, and reduces the resilience of threatened species to survive future challenges.
Clearing in Queensland is regulated through the vegetation management framework.
Inappropriate fire regimes
Changes in the frequency and intensity of fire can cause wildlife populations to decline. Some species depend on a suitable fire regime for successful regeneration and survival.
Unplanned bushfires can have a devastating effect on wildlife populations and local ecosystems. Learn more about actions under the Threatened Species Bushfire Recovery Program to help species recover following the 2019-2020 bushfires.
Invasive plants and animals
The global movement of goods and people can introduce plants, animals, pathogens and disease to areas where they do not naturally occur. Some of these thrive and become invasive species or pests that impact our native wildlife and ecosystems. Invasive species have been a major cause of extinction of Australian native species in the past few hundred years. Invasive species causing harm to the environment, biodiversity, human health or productivity are subject to a range of control actions, from preventing spread to eradication.
Invasive species include:
- animals
- plants
- introduced marine pests
- diseases, fungi and parasites.
Invasive animals
Introduced pest animals place considerable pressure on native wildlife. While some impacts have been well documented, the true impact of invasive animals on Queensland's environment is unknown and difficult to quantify. Invasive species such as foxes and feral cats prey on native fauna and have been implicated in the decline or extinction of at least 17 native species. Feral pig predation of marine turtle nests is one of the main threats facing marine turtle populations in Queensland. Cane toads compete for food, shelter and breeding sites with native animals, particularly native frogs. Pest fish, such as carp, tilapia and mosquito fish, compete for resources, degrade fish habitat, predate on native fish species and introduce and spread diseases and parasites.
The Australian Government has listed the impacts of some invasive animals as a key threatening process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EBPC Act) and threat abatement plans have been developed. These include plans for feral cats, foxes, goats, rabbits, pigs, cane toads and rodents.
More information about invasive animals can be found on the Business Queensland website.
Invasive plants
Terrestrial and aquatic weeds can degrade native ecosystems and have a detrimental impact on biodiversity.
The loss and degradation of native plant and animal habitat by invasion of escaped garden plants is listed as a key threatened process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EBPC Act). A threat abatement advice has been developed to provide guidance on activities and research needed to abate the threat.
More information about invasive plants can be found on the Business Queensland website.
Marine pests
There are a number of non-native marine pests (reported in Australian waters) most of which were introduced accidentally by shipping and aquaculture activities. Some, including several crabs, mussels, seastars and seaweeds, have a significant impact on marine ecosystems.
Keeping Queensland’s marine environment free from invasive marine pests is a priority for Biosecurity Queensland.
Diseases, fungi and parasites
Threatened species can be particularly vulnerable to introduced diseases, fungi and parasites which can reduce their ability to reproduce or survive.
The Australian Government has listed the impacts of a number of introduced diseases, fungi and parasites as a key threatening process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EBPC Act) and threat abatement plans have been developed.
Human take or interference
The illegal collection of native plants and animals is another threat to some of our native species. Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 1994, this is regulated, including the harvesting and sale of native plants and plant parts.
Some ferns, tree ferns, cycads and orchids are seriously threatened by collecting. Even common plants like grasstrees and staghorns are at risk. Individual plants can be damaged when stems, fruits and flowers are removed. Collecting a plant's seeds reduces the prospects for successful regeneration.
Illegal trafficking of Australian wildlife is also a growing threat to our biodiversity and many threatened species. Laws regulate the import and export of wildlife across our borders and internationally.