Threatened species

Threatened species are those animals or plants that are at risk of disappearing forever, or going extinct, unless we act to protect them and minimise the threats to their survival.  Threatened species are divided into categories based on the likelihood of extinction eg. vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered.  Ecological communities are groups of species (animals or plants) that live together as a community.  Endangered ecological communities are those ecological communities at risk of extinction

Threatened Species & Endangered ecological communities in the Namoi Catchment

There are well over 100 threatened species, (including mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and insects) and endangered ecological communities, (such as particular types of woodlands and native grasslands), that are known to occur in the Namoi catchment.

The Box-gum woodlands, Brigalow, Ooline and Liverpool Plains Grassland communities are just some of the endangered ecological communities found in the Namoi catchment which were once widespread but are now at risk of extinction. 

The beautiful but endangered Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, for example, is still found in and around the Warrumbungle and Kaputar Ranges.  The Pilliga region of the Namoi is also home to the largest population of Barking owls (listed as vulnerable) in Southern Australia.  The Namoi is also home to a large number of threatened woodland birds such as the endangered Regent Honeyeater and the vulnerable Grey-crowned Babbler.  There are also many threatened plant species that occur in the Namoi catchment including many beautiful and unique orchids, grasses, herbs, forbs, shrubs and trees. 

Some threatened species are endemic, meaning they only occur here in the Namoi catchment and nowhere else.  If they disappear from our catchment, they disappear forever, thus we have an even greater responsibility to protect them for the future.  There are two endangered plant species for example, Hakea pulvinifera and Boronia rupii, which are endemic and only occur at a few sites within the Namoi catchment.

Why are they threatened?

A “Key Threatening Process” is the term used to describe those processes which are driving species and ecological communities towards extinction. 

Examples of Key Threatening Processes in the Namoi catchment include invasive weeds, introduced predators such as the Fox, competition from feral animals such as goats, clearing of native woodlands and grasslands, inappropriate grazing management, habitat degradation and fragmentation.

Up to date information on threatened species in the Namoi

Threatened species are officially listed under legislation.  These lists are updated all the time as the conservation status of particular species or ecological community changes or is better understood. 

For a full list of the threatened species, endangered populations and endangered ecological communities listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation (TSC) Act 1995, along with detailed information about them, the threats to their survival and suggested management actions to help protect them, go to:
http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/cma_home.aspx?name=Namoi

To view a list of Key Threatening Processes listed under the TSC Act, along with a detailed description, go to:
http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/home_threats.aspx

In NSW, threatened aquatic species and ecological communities are listed under the Fisheries Management (FM) Act 1994.  To view a full list and detailed descriptions go to:
http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/threatened_species/general/what_is_currently_listed

Nationally threatened species and ecological communities are listed under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999.  To view a full list and further information go to:
http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl

To view a list of Key Threatening Processes listed under the EPBC Act, along with a detailed description, go to:
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicgetkeythreats.pl

What we can do to help

We can all play our part to help threatened species survive. 

When a threatened species, endangered ecological community or key threat is listed under legislation, the next stage is the preparation of a recovery plan, a priority action statement, or a threat abatement plan.  These set out the recovery and threat abatement activities that will promote the recovery of threatened species. 

Whether you live in town or on a farm, you can play a part in protecting and conserving threatened species and ecological communities.

If you think you have a threatened species or endangered ecological community on your land or in your neighbourhood – the Namoi CMA has funds and expertise available to assist you to manage and protect them. 

Threatened species projects might include activities such as fencing to exclude livestock, weed control activities, control of introduced predators and pests such as foxes and feral goats, developing management plans for particular sites, or developing conservation agreements over important areas so that they are protected for the long term.

Contact the Namoi CMA for further information or to discuss potential on-ground works and funding available.