Protecting Our Biodiversity

Biological diversity (biodiversity) means the variety of life;- the different plants, animals and insects, right down to the tiny micro organisms that form part of the ecosystems which sustain life, for all of us on Eyre Peninsula.

A key goal of the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board is to ensure the biodiversity of the Eyre Peninsula region is conserved and sustained for the future. This includes protecting endangered and threatened plant and animal species, restoring habitats (homes for these species) and managing the threats which impact upon them.

Climate Change Movement Corridors Map 

The attached preliminary map has been created to help prioritise works/effort for the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board to undertake both targeted biodiversity conservation and to manage for the effects of climate change.  This was created using data collected through the WildCountry project funded by NHT and carried out by Steffan Schultz. 

CSIRO predicts a raise of annual mean temperature by 1°C within the next 25 years and 2°C-6°C within the next 65 years for the Eyre Peninsula. 

Based on these projections there is an assumption that native species, which now occur in the northern areas of the Eyre Peninsula or in the more arid rangelands, will move south to find more suitable habitat.  Also, higher and cooler regions on the Eyre Peninsula such as the Koppio and Cleve Hills may serve as important refuge areas.  

Consequently, we should, wherever possible, create permeable corridors to allow the movement of species and make sure that refuge and migrating areas are not fully occupied by inhospitable or agriculturally used land. 

It is suggested that four major management actions be implemented in the prioritizing process:   

• Creating of “movement zones” which are large stretches of land parallel to climatic gradients (usually movement from north to south). To fence, protect remnant vegetation or reconstruct vegetation in poor condition within these areas should have a very high priority. Even small patches of remnants may serve as important “stepping stones”. Revegetation within these movement zones should have a high priority as well.  

• Protecting land in the refuge areas: The climate scenarios for the Eyre Peninsula predict higher temperatures and lower rainfall in the future. Obvious refuge areas can be therefore expected in the cooler and wetter regions of the Eyre Peninsula. These are, in general, the areas of the Cleve and Koppio Hills.  

• Connecting remnant vegetation the refuge areas: This will allow species to move to the potential refuge areas. 

• Maintaining diverse gene pools:  Genetic variability is the fuel for native animals to adapt to changing condition. Therefore we should try to protect habitats in as many different locations as possible.

 Looking at the map:

•  The Cleve and Koppio Hills have been highlighted (purple and pink) as Refuge Areas.
•  Movement corridors to allow migration from north to south have been highlighted (hatched red).

As of now this map is based on ‘best fit-lines’ connecting major conservation parks, heritage agreements, and remnant vegetation.  It is envisaged that future analyses will be conducted based on a set of criteria (eg. proximity to remnant vegetation) to best choose locations for strategic on-ground works/effort.  

This is an evolving map so we therefore would like all comments and constructive criticism to make our strategic biodiversity planning better. 

Please contact our Biodiversity Program Manager or Evaluation and Reporting Officer for further questions or comments.

Integrated Weed Management  

Through this program, Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board staff work closely with landholders across the Eyre Peninsula region to help establish biological controls and help control the spread of Asparagus weeds.

For more information on the Integrated Weed Management program see the 2007-2010 Investment Strategy document.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programs 

This program has also funded technical equipment such as motion-sensor cameras for monitoring of baiting stations and bait distributors. For more information on the Integrated Pest Management programs see the 2007-2010 Investment Strategy document. 

Threatened Fauna Recovery

For more information on the Threatened Fauna Recovery program for Eyre Peninsula, go to:

• Biodiversity Conservation Programs of Eyre Peninsula and the Far West (website)
• 2006-07 Investment Strategy
• Threatened Animals of Eyre Peninsula Information Brochure
• Sandhill Dunnart Field Survey Report 2008
• Sandhill Dunnart Action Statement 

Threatened Flora Recovery

Like the Threatened Fauna Recovery program, this project aims to reverse the decline of threatened plant species by implementing a multi-species regional recovery plan. 

Long-term protection of threatened plant species will be achieved through habitat restoration and threat abatement, the inclusion of important populations in reserves and heritage agreements and by involving the community and stakeholders in the recovery program.

For more information on the Threatened Fauna Recovery program for Eyre Peninsula, go to:

• Biodiversity Conservation Programs of Eyre Peninsula and the Far West (website)
• 2006-07 Investment Strategy

Bush Management and Conservation 

For more information on this program see the 2007-2010 Investment Strategy or contact your local NRM Officer:

Corey Yeates - Eastern Eyre NRM Officer 25 Fourth Street, Cleve Phone: (08) 8628 2091 Mobile: 0429 677 604	Geraldine Turner - Southern Eyre NRM Officer 25 West Terrace, Tumby Bay Phone: (08) 8688 2610 Mobile: 0407 603 574
Justine Graham - Western Eyre NRM Officer 15 Bay Road, Streaky Bay Phone: (08) 8626 1108 Mobile: 0408 855 873	Rob Coventry - Central Eyre NRM Officer Elliston Information Centre, Elliston Phone: (08) 8687 9330 Mobile: 0400 277 613

Andrew Freeman -  Program Manager, Biodiversity 36 Napoleon Street, Port Lincoln Phone: (08) 8682 7530 Mobile: 0429 673 123