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​ Threatened Species Strategy (PDF 524Kb)

Executive sum​​​​​mary

This strategy was prepared in 2000 and a review is due.

More than 600 species of plant and animal are threatened in Tasmania. They are classified according to their level of threat as endangered, vulnerable or rare in the schedules of the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.

This Strategy has been developed to outline the approach to conserving Tasmania's threatened species and has the following aims:

• To ensure that threatened species can survive and flourish in the wild;
• To ensure that threatened species and their habitats retain their genetic diversity and potential for evolutionary development;
• Prevent further species becoming threatened.

The Strategy takes two broad approaches towards these objectives:

1. Addressing key threatening processes
2. Addressing priority threatened species
   

There are many threatening processes which impact on Tasmania's native flora and fauna. In this Strategy six processes are identified as having the greatest impact and are considered in detail:

• clearance of native vegetation;
• impacts of pests, weeds and diseases;
• degradation of water systems;
• inappropriate use of fire;
• inappropriate and illegal harvesting and
  
• impacts of stock.

Each of these processes is discussed, objectives are developed for addressing the process and a number of actions are identified. The success of these actions in mitigating each threatening process is measured with a range of performance indicators that are outlined for each process. Threat abatement plans are to be drawn up for each threatening process. Addressing threatening processes as opposed to an individual species approach is not only efficient but more cost effective as single actions may help the conservation of several species. 

Despite identifying, developing and implementing threat abatement plans, there will continue to be a need to address individual threatened species. The need may be urgent, there may be a number of threatening processes at work or there may be no particular process affecting the species but an action which can be simply addressed to conserve the species. 

As there are so many listed species, it is necessary to prioritise those in greatest need of action. The Strategy looks at methods for prioritisation of individual threatened species. Factors considered may included the species' distinctiveness, its cultural significance, its reservation status or its level of endemism. Seven primary mechanisms are addressed in the Strategy in order to integrate threatened species conservation across all sections of the Tasmanian community:

• community participation;
• working with land owners, land managers and industry;
• consideration of social and economic factors;
• establishing an adequate knowledge base;
• improving resources for implementing the strategy;
• a recognition of threatened ecological communities and​
• reviewing the Strategy.

A range of implementation actions has been developed to address each of these primary mechanisms. 

This Strategy has been developed with the aim of involving all Tasmanians in the work of conserving threatened species. To be successfully implemented it needs the support, understanding and participation of all parties. It is important that the needs of landholders are taken into account and that economic and social impacts are fully understood by all sides. Endorsement of this Strategy by the key stakeholders will be a major step towards its successful implementation.