CONTENTS CONTENTS...1 A. REPORTING PARTY...3

Transcription

1 Austrli Third Ntionl Report CONTENTS CONTENTS...1 A. REPORTING PARTY...3 Informtion on the preprtion of the report...3 B. PRIORITY SETTING, TARGETS AND OBSTACLES...6 Priority Setting...11 Chllenges nd Obstcles to Implementtion Trget...15 Globl Strtegy for Plnt Conservtion (GSPC)...62 Ecosystem Approch...86 C. ARTICLES OF THE CONVENTION...90 Article 5 Coopertion...90 Article 6 - Generl mesures for conservtion nd sustinble use...93 Biodiversity nd Climte Chnge...98 Article 7 - Identifiction nd monitoring Decisions on Txonomy Article 8 - In-situ conservtion [excluding prgrphs () to (e), (h) nd (j)] Progrmme of Work on Protected Ares (Article 8 () to (e)) Article 8(h) - Alien species Article 8(j) - Trditionl knowledge nd relted provisions GURTS Sttus nd Trends Akwé:Kon Guidelines Cpcity Building nd Prticiption of Indigenous nd Locl Communities Support to implementtion Article 9 - Ex-situ conservtion Article 10 - Sustinble use of components of biologicl diversity Biodiversity nd Tourism Article 11 - Incentive mesures Article 12 - Reserch nd trining Article 13 - Public eduction nd wreness Article 14 - Impct ssessment nd minimizing dverse impcts Article 15 - Access to genetic resources Article 16 - Access to nd trnsfer of technology Progrmme of Work on trnsfer of technology nd technology coopertion Article 17 - Exchnge of informtion Article 18 - Technicl nd scientific coopertion Article 19 - Hndling of biotechnology nd distribution of its benefits Article 20 Finncil resources D. THEMATIC AREAS Inlnd wter ecosystems Mrine nd costl biologicl diversity...199

2 Generl Implementtion of Integrted Mrine nd Costl Are Mngement Mrine nd Costl Living Resources A c t i v i t i e s Mrine nd Costl Protected Ares Mriculture Alien Species nd Genotypes Agriculturl biologicl diversity Annex to decision V/5 - Progrmme of work on griculturl biodiversity Forest Biologicl Diversity Expnded progrmme of work on forest biologicl diversity Biologicl diversity of dry nd sub-humid lnds Mountin Biodiversity E. OPERATIONS OF THE CONVENTION F. COMMENTS ON THE FORMAT

3 A. REPORTING PARTY Contrcting Prty Austrli N A T I O N A L F O C A L P O I N T Full nme of the institution Nme nd title of contct officer Miling ddress Deprtment of the Environment & Heritge Mr Doug Ling, Executive Officer, Nturl Resource Mngement Policy Brnch GPO Box 787 Cnberr ACT 2601, AUSTRALIA Telephone Fx E-mil Doug.ling@deh.gov.u CONTACT OFFICER FOR NATIONAL REPORT (IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE) Full nme of the institution Nme nd title of contct officer Miling ddress Telephone Fx E-mil S U B M I S S I O N Signture of officer responsible for submitting ntionl report Dr Conll O Connell, Deputy Secretry, Deprtment of the Environment & Heritge Dte of submission Box I. Informtion on the preprtion of the report Plese provide informtion on the preprtion of this report, including informtion on stkeholders involved nd mteril used s bsis for the report. The Austrlin Government Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge consulted brodly within its portfolio nd with other relevnt government gencies. This report drws extensively on the sources listed below nd on mteril published on Austrlin Government internet sites s referenced. The following informtion, relevnt to biodiversity conservtion nd sustinble use, is sourced from representtive selection of reports nd ssessments reporting on priority setting, objectives nd trgets nd on biodiversity trends between 2001 nd

4 Primry sources for Priority Setting Objectives nd Trgets re: Ntionl Strtegy for the Conservtion of Austrli's Biologicl Diversity Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion The Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit Austrlin Wter Resources Assessment 2000 Informtion on trends re drwn from the following reports: Austrli, Stte Of the Environment Stte of the Environment Reporting - Biodiversity Austrli's Ntive Vegettion, the Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit's Austrlin Ntive Vegettion Assessment Lndscpe Helth in Austrli, The Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit's lndscpe helth ssessment Austrlin Terrestril Biodiversity Assessment, The Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit s Biodiversity Assessment 2002 Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge: Annul Report Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge Annul Report Austrli's Stte Of the Forests Report 2003 The Stte of Austrli's Birds 2003 The Stte of Austrli's Birds

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6 B. PRIORITY SETTING, TARGETS AND OBSTACLES Box II. Plese provide n overview of the sttus nd trends of vrious components of biologicl diversity in your country bsed on the informtion nd dt vilble. 6

7 1. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY Austrli is federtion of sttes nd territories, including severl dministered islnds. For the purposes of this report, sttus nd trends of biologicl diversity is reported ntionlly. This mens tht the report drws on vilble nd relevnt dt t the continentl scle. The mjority of this dt is ggregted from stte nd territory sources. It should be noted tht trends t the locl nd regionl scle my not be reflected t the ntionl scle, nd vice-vers. Ntionl mtters of environmentl nd biodiversity significnce re subject to legisltion under the Environment Protection nd Biodiversity Conservtion Act The Governments of the sttes nd ll minlnd territories hve their own environment legisltion, which includes provision for stte/territory listings nd species recovery plns specific to the environmentl mngement nd policy priorities of ech jurisdiction. Austrli hs well developed mechnisms nd systems t ll levels of government to promote biodiversity conservtion nd sustinble use outcomes. These incorporte prtnerships with privte industry nd civil society. The picture of ntionl trend in sttus/condition of biodiversity nd sustinble use is drwn from number of ntionl reporting mechnisms (Box I, bove). Most relevnt to this Austrlin CBD Ntionl report is the 2001 Stte of the Environment Report, the Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit, Stte of the Forests reporting nd the ntionl Nturl Resource Mngement Monitoring nd Evlution Frmework. All of these mechnisms report t periods of 1 to 5 yers nd provide the Austrlin Government with sound, scientificlly verifible bseline for ssessing trends in biodiversity. Tken s whole, the ntionl reporting mechnisms indicte positive trend over the period between this nd the lst CBD Ntionl Report, indicting progress towrds meeting the Convention s 2010 trget. There hs been very significnt progress nd success in some res, nd identifiction of res of chllenge in ddressing biodiversity decline, which re focus for current work by governments, industry nd communities. A profound nd positive shift hs occurred in Austrli s mngement of its nturl resources since submission of the second CBD Ntionl Report. With inugurtion of the Ntionl Action Pln for Slinity nd Wter Qulity (NAP) in 2001 nd the second phse of the Nturl Heritge Trust (NHT) in , governments in Austrli committed totl of 4.4 billion Austrlin dollrs to repiring, restoring nd conserving Austrli s environment nd nturl resource bse. These two lndmrk progrms constitute the biggest finncil commitment to environmentl ction in Austrli's history nd represent n enormous combined investment by governments nd prtner community, lndholder nd industry groups. Together, they hve pivotl role in protecting nd enhncing Austrli's unique biodiversity nd improving the vibility nd sustinbility of griculture nd rurl nd regionl communities. A snpshot of developments in the reporting period, presented in ccordnce with selected themtic nd cross cutting res of the Convention, follows below. Dry nd Sub-humid Lnd Biodiversity Both the NAP nd the NHT hve been fundmentl to improved prospects for the biodiversity of Austrli s vst rid nd low rinfll zones (within the re known s the rngelnds), which covers bout seventy five percent of the continent). Concern bout the ecologicl condition of Austrli s rngelnds, s well s the socil nd economic sustinbility of rngelnd industries, hs led towrds innovtive economic diversifiction, growing recognition nd use of trditionl indigenous knowledge nd greter sophistiction in rngelnds monitoring by the Austrlin Collbortive Rngelnd Informtion System (ACRIS). The ACRIS reporting frmework is bsed 7

8 on five diverse lnd use pressures; criticl stock forge productivity, ntive vegettion species presence, overll vegettion cover, lndscpe function nd socil responses to environmentl problems. The Lke Eyre Bsin Inter-governmentl Agreement ws signed in June 2001 to protect the vst Lke Eyre Bsin nd its dependent environmentl nd heritge vlues. The bsin is one of the lrgest in the world, situted in one of its most rid nd rinfll vrible regions. Forest Biodiversity This reporting period hs seen consolidtion of implementtion of ten Regionl Forest Agreements (RFAs) in Austrli s multiple use nd biodiversity rich ntive forests. The RFAs provide long-term (20 yer) bsis for ll Austrlin governments to meet their forest conservtion, environmentl, socil nd industry gols. The RFAs, the lst of which ws greed in 2002, represented huge boost for biodiversity conservtion, with 2.9 million hectres dded to the existing forest reserve system, which now totls 10.4 million hectres. A recent development hs been estblishment, through the NHT Progrm, of privte reserves nd ecologicl corridors under RFAs nd ctchment mngement plns, to enhnce forest biodiversity t the ctchment nd regionl scle. The Tsmnin Community Forest Agreement of My 2005, supplements the Tsmnin RFA (1997), nd further secures Tsmni s unique nd endemic biodiversity in series of new reserves. Inlnd Wters Biodiversity Since submission of the second Ntionl Report, five new Rmsr wetlnds nd 35 new non- Rmsr wetlnds hve been declred to protect inlnd wter ecosystems. The Ntionl Wter Inititive (NWI) ws greed in June 2004, nd is comprehensive strtegy driven by the Austrlin Government to improve wter mngement cross the country. In prticulr, the NWI will result in permnent trde in wter to flexibly recover wter for environmentl outcomes nd firm commitment to ddress, with ffected stkeholders, over-llocted wter systems, s quickly s possible. Mrine nd Costl Biodiversity The Ntionl Ocens Office ws estblished in 1999 to develop regionl mrine plns for the integrted mngement of ocens resources. Regionl mrine plns re developed over res corresponding to lrge mrine ecosystems, nd identify cpcity building nd eduction priorities t regionl scle. The first regionl mrine pln, covering the wters of the Southest Mrine Region ws completed in My Following intergovernmentl consensus in the 1990s on the need for improved mrine conservtion, ll Austrlin jurisdictions re now working together to set up Ntionl Representtive System of Mrine Protected Ares (NRSMPA) throughout the entire mrine jurisdiction. By the end of 2002 the NRSMPA covered pproximtely 64,600,000 hectres or 7% of Austrli's mrine jurisdiction. A further three Rmsr nd 16 non-rmsr protected res were dded to the mrine nd costl protected re network during this reporting period. Access to Genetic Resources nd Benefit Shring In 2002 ll Austrlin jurisdictions greed to ntionlly consistent pproch for the utilistion of genetic resources, in line with the Bonn Guidelines nd Austrli s Environment Protection nd Biodiversity Conservtion Act Austrli s pproch to securing ccess to genetic resources on equitble terms, with the involvement of holders of indigenous knowledge, is reflected in the Austrlin Government s drft Environment Protection nd Biodiversity Conservtion Access Regultions nd in Indigenous Lnd Use Agreements under the Ntive Title Act Invsive Alien Species 8

9 Invsive species re now considered to be the single gretest thret to biodiversity in Austrli, fter hbitt loss from lnd clering. They present governments nd the community with complex set of chllenges over coming yers. Action ginst n invsive lien species is indicted by their listing s key thretening process under the Environment Protection nd Biodiversity Conservtion Act 1999, nd the cretion of thret btement plns to ddress them. Since 2000, sixteen key thretening invsive lien species processes hve been identified nd ssessed by the ntionl Thretened Species Scientific Committee. Under the Ntionl Weeds Strtegy (1997 nd reviewed in 2002), rigorous mngement strtegies exist for twenty weeds of ntionl significnce. A further 28 non ntive species tht hve estblished wild popultions re inscribed on Ntionl Environmentl Alert List, nd remin under creful scrutiny. A ntionl ssessment of the extent nd impct of weeds is to be completed in Through the NHT (Defeting the Weed Mence Progrm, 2004), the Austrlin Government is funding reserch nd development, improved qurntine nd community nd industry eduction. An ccelerted review of the plnt seed importtion list is underwy nd is due for completion in A comprehensive Ntionl System for the Prevention nd Mngement of Mrine Pest Incursions is lso under development. Climte Chnge nd Biologicl Diversity The Ntionl Biodiversity nd Climte Chnge Action Pln ( ) hs initited brod frmework to support dpttion to climte chnge cross Austrli. The pln will help coordinte the ctivities of Austrlin governments t ll levels to ddress the impcts of climte chnge on biodiversity cross the country. Economics, Trde nd Incentive Mesures The Austrlin Government is promoting n pproprite mix of policy instruments for biodiversity conservtion, covering mrket nd non-mrket mechnisms, including incentives. Austrlin Government policy ensures tht incentive mesures trget biodiversity conservtion nd do not provide, consistent with our interntionl obligtions, specific trde distorting input or output-bsed production subsidies. During this reporting period there hs been surge of interest by rurl lndholders in the use of uction or tender systems to stimulte biodiversity protection ctions. Trils of these innovtive systems begn in the stte of Victori in , nd re now being developed t regionl level round the country in tndem with long estblished progrms such s Lndcre. Ecosystem Approch Since CBD COP 2, where it ws greed tht n ecosystem pproch should be the primry frmework for ction under the Convention, Austrli s domestic ppliction of ecosystem pproches hs ccelerted nd is bsed on the integrtive nd dptive mngement pproch dopted by the Convention. An ecosystem pproch to the mngement nd plnning of production forests nd forest reserves ws incorported into developing Regionl forest Agreements (RFAs). The ecosystem pproch ws fundmentl to development of the new Gret Brrier Reef Mrine Prk Representtive Ares Progrm (2004), nd is centrl to identifiction, through integrted plnning t bioregionl scle, of new Mrine Protected Ares. The ecosystem-pproch hs lso been pplied in other sensitive mrine environments, such s Herd nd McDonld Islnd Mrine Prk in the sub-antrctic, nd in the Tsmnin Semount Reserve re. Indictors Importnt new work on indictors hs been undertken during this reporting period in response to ntionl priorities nd ssessment of the gps in knowledge of Austrli s environment nd the condition of its nturl resources. Of prticulr importnce ws development of ntionl 9

10 Nturl Resource Mngement Monitoring & Evlution Frmework (NM&EF) to help monitor nd report on the impct of the NAP nd NHT. The NM&EF sets out brod Mtters for Trget tht re to be reported on using rnge of possible indictors. A set of ntionl indictors were used in the 2001 Stte of the Environment Report. These indictors hve been reviewed in preprtion for the Third Stte of the Environment Report in The Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit: Biodiversity Report lso used three ssessments to nlyse (i) chnge in continentl lndscpe stress, (ii) wetlnd condition nd (iii) thretening processes for thretened ecosystems. Further development of monitoring nd indictors by the Audit will feed into future Stte of the Environment reporting. Protected Ares All jurisdictions in Austrli hve recently reffirmed their commitment to comprehensive, dequte nd representtive (CAR) protected re system (Directions for the Ntionl Reserve System A Prtnership Approch, 2005). The re of terrestril protected re incresed from million hectres or 10.08% of totl lnd re in 2002 to 10.52% (80.89 million hectres) in New dt in 2006 is expected to show further increse. The re conserved by covennts over privte lnd lso continues to stedily increse (from lmost 81,000 hectres in to more thn 239, 000 hectres in ). Similrly, designtion of mrine protected res hs ccelerted over the reporting period with one of the most significnt increses occurring becuse of the rezoning of the entire Gret Brrier Reef, which becme lw in July The proportion of the Mrine Prk protected by highly protected no-tke zones ws incresed from less thn 5% to more thn 33%, nd now protects representtive exmples of ech of the 70 brod hbitt types identified cross the Gret Brrier Reef region. By the end of 2002 the Ntionl Representtive System of Mrine Protected Ares (NRSMPA) covered pproximtely 64,600,000 hectres or 7% of Austrli's mrine jurisdiction, nd new comprtive dt, when published, is expected to indicte further expnsion. 10

11 Priority Setting 1. Plese indicte, by mrking n "X" in the pproprite column below, the level of priority your country ccords to the implementtion of vrious rticles, provisions nd relevnt progrmmes of the work of the Convention. Article/Provision/Progrmme of Work Level of Priority High Medium Low ) Article 5 Coopertion X b) Article 6 - Generl mesures for conservtion nd sustinble use X c) Article 7 - Identifiction nd monitoring X d) Article 8 In-situ conservtion X e) Article 8(h) - Alien species X f) Article 8(j) - Trditionl knowledge nd relted provisions X g) Article 9 Ex-situ conservtion X h) Article 10 Sustinble use of components of biologicl diversity X i) Article 11 - Incentive mesures X j) Article 12 - Reserch nd trining X k) Article 13 - Public eduction nd wreness X l) Article 14 - Impct ssessment nd minimizing dverse impcts X m) Article 15 - Access to genetic resources X n) Article 16 - Access to nd trnsfer of technology X o) Article 17 - Exchnge of informtion X p) Article 18 Scientific nd technicl coopertion X q) Article 19 - Hndling of biotechnology nd distribution of its benefits X r) Article 20 - Finncil resources X 11

12 s) Article 21 - Finncil mechnism X t) Agriculturl biodiversity X u) Forest biodiversity X v) Inlnd wter biodiversity X w) Mrine nd costl biodiversity X x) Drylnd nd subhumid lnd biodiversity X y) Mountin biodiversity X Chllenges nd Obstcles to Implementtion 2. Plese use the scle indicted below to reflect the level of chllenges fced by your country in implementing the provisions of the Articles of the Convention (5, 6,7, 8, 8h, 8j, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19 nd 20) 3 = High Chllenge 1 = Low Chllenge 2 = Medium Chllenge A = Not pplicble 0 = Chllenge hs been successfully overcome Chllenges ) Lck of politicl will nd support Articles h 8j b) Limited public prticiption nd stkeholder involvement c) Lck of minstreming nd integrtion of biodiversity issues into other sectors d) Lck of precutionry nd proctive mesures e) Indequte O

13 cpcity to ct, cused by institutionl wekness f) Lck of trnsfer of technology nd expertise g) Loss of trditionl knowledge h) Lck of dequte scientific reserch cpcities to support ll the objectives i) Lck of ccessible knowledge nd informtion j) Lck of public eduction nd wreness t ll levels k) Existing scientific nd trditionl knowledge not fully utilized l) Loss of biodiversity nd the corresponding goods nd services it provides not properly understood nd documented m) Lck of finncil, humn, technicl resources n) Lck of economic incentive mesures o) Lck of benefit-shring off res erv e p) Lck of synergies t ntionl nd interntionl

14 levels q) Lck of horizontl coopertion mong stkeholders r) Lck of effective prtnerships s) Lck of enggement of scientific community t) Lck of pproprite policies nd lws u) Poverty v) Popultion pressure w) Unsustin ble consumption nd production ptterns x) Lck of cpcities for locl communities y) Lck of knowledge nd prctice of ecosystembsed pproches to mngement z) Wek lw enforcement cpcity ) Ntur l dissters nd environmentl chnge bb) Other s (plese specify) 14

15 2010 Trget The Conference of the Prties, in decision VII/30, nnex II, decided to estblish provisionl frmework for gols nd trgets in order to clrify the 2010 globl trget dopted by decision VI/26, help ssess the progress towrds the trget, nd promote coherence mong the progrmmes of work of the Convention. Prties nd Governments re invited to develop their own trgets with this flexible frmework. Plese provide relevnt informtion by responding to the questions nd requests contined in the following tbles. Box III. Gol 1 Trget 1.1 Promote the conservtion of the biologicl diversity of ecosystems, hbitts nd biomes. At lest ten percent of ech of the world s ecologicl regions effectively conserved I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished X Plese provide detils below. 15

16 Protect the components of biodiversity. (GOALS 1 3 of the 2010 Strtegy) Austrli s key sttement of ntionl objectives to protect biodiversity is the The Ntionl Strtegy for the Conservtion of Austrli's Biologicl Diversity. More bout the Strtegy. Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion The Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion (NOTs) were written to ugment the Ntionl Strtegy. They set objectives nd trgets for ten priority outcomes for the Austrlin, Stte nd Territory governments to collectively chieve. These cover (1) ntive vegettion retention, (2) freshwter ecosystems, (3) mrine nd esturine ecosystems, (4) invsive lien species, (5) drylnd slinity, (6) ecologiclly sustinble grzing, (7) impcts of climte chnge on biodiversity, (8) ethnobiologicl knowledge, (9) knowledge nd ccess to informtion, nd (10) institutionl reform. More bout the Ntionl Objectives. Ntionl Stndrds nd Trgets Frmework In ddition to the Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion, Austrli hs substntilly moved towrds specific, time bound nd mesurble trgets in regionl plnning under the (Ntionl Action Pln on Slinity nd Wter Qulity (NAP) nd the Nturl Heritge Trust (NHT) (see more t The Ntionl Stndrds nd Trgets Frmework sets out the ntionl outcomes tht investment in nturl resource mngement is iming to chieve ( These re spirtionl trgets nd sit over 10 mtters for trget designed to ssist delivery of these outcomes t the regionl level. Regionl plns must include itertively developed time-bound mesurble trgets tht relte primrily to resource condition, which should be chieved within yer time frme. Bselines (either previously estblished or to be estblished s prt of regionl pln) re n essentil component of the ntionl NRM stndrds nd trgets nd monitoring nd evlution frmeworks. Ntionl outcomes re spirtionl sttements bout desired ntionl nturl resource outcomes, nd include for exmple, minimiztion of the impcts of slinity on lnd nd wter resources, mintennce or rehbilittion of biodiversity, mintennce of ecosystem services, further development of sustinble production systems etc. Ten resource condition mtters for trgets include; Lnd slinity. Soil condition. Ntive vegettion communities' integrity. Inlnd qutic ecosystems integrity (rivers nd other wetlnds). Esturine, costl nd mrine hbitts integrity. Nutrients in qutic environments. Turbidity / suspended prticulte mtter in qutic environments. Surfce wter slinity in freshwter qutic environments. Significnt ntive species nd ecologicl communities. Ecologiclly significnt invsive species. Mngement ction mtters for trgets include; Criticl ssets identified nd protected. Wter lloction plns developed nd implemented. Improved lnd nd wter mngement prctices dopted. Directions for the Ntionl Reserve System 16

17 Brod trgets for the protection of ecologicl communities within biogeogrphic regions re estblished in the publiction Directions for the Ntionl Reserve System A Prtnership Approch. (see The Austrlin Government through the Ntionl Reserve System Progrm of the Nturl Heritge Trust ssists the Sttes, Territories nd non-government orgnistions in estblishing protected res, prticulrly in priority bioregions nd res contining under represented ecologicl communities. The Interim Biogeogrphic Regionlistion for Austrli (IBRA) is the primry mechnism for the development of the Ntionl Reserve System (NRS). The division of the Austrlin continent into regions is bsed on nturl boundries, rther thn Stte or Territory borders. The 85 biogeogrphic regions re defined by the mjor ecosystems present in ech region nd reflect ptterns in geology, lndform, soils, vegettion, fun nd climte 1 The IBRA is coopertive pproch by ll nture conservtion gencies to define the ecologicl ptterns of the Austrlin continent. It hs provided n importnt strtifiction of Austrli s nturl environment, given bsence of continentl scle ecosystem or vegettion mpping, nd the strong reltionship between the loction of Austrli s biot nd the physicl environmentl prmeters included in the IBRA. IBRA regionlistion hs been used to indicte gps in the reserve system, nd s frmework for ddressing the protection of ntive ecosystems under comprehensiveness ctegories used by the NRS. Mjor geomorphic units within the bioregions hve lso been delineted s sub-regions to detiled scle in mny jurisdictions. Becuse of the strong reltionship between lnd use nd the sub-regions, this provides useful strtifiction for ddressing thretening processes to ntive biot nd the representtiveness of the NRS, i.e. ddressing ecosystems cross their geogrphic rnge. The Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit report, Austrlin Terrestril Biodiversity Assessment 2002, concluded tht 46 of the 85 bioregions hd less thn 10% of their res in reserves, 16 bioregions hd less thn 2% nd 2 hd no protected res. A considerble number of protected res hve been dded to the reserve system since then nd review of protected re sttus of the bioregions nd sub-regions is underwy using the Collbortive Austrlin Protected Are Dtbse (CAPAD). Austrli s Criteri nd Indictors of Sustinble Forest Mngement The Frmework of Regionl Level Criteri nd Indictors of Sustinble Forest Mngement in Austrli (The Frmework) uses the interntionlly recognised Montrel Process criteri nd indictors to report on ll res of forest in Austrli. The criteri greed by the Montrel Process nd dopted in the Austrlin Frmework cover: biodiversity, productive cpcity, ecosystem helth nd vitlity, soil nd wter resources, globl crbon cycles, socio-economic benefits, nd 1 The development of this regionlistion is outlined in Thckwy nd Cresswell 1995 An Interim Biogeogrphic Regionlistion for Austrli. The development of the current version (Version 5.1) is in Environment Austrli 2000 Revision of the Interim Biogeogrphic Regionlistion for Austrlin. (see 17

18 effective legl, institutionl nd economic frmeworks The Frmework reflects Austrli s Ntionl Forest Policy Sttement (1992), nd is n integrl prt of the Regionl Forest Agreement (RFA) process. The Frmework ws comprehensively reported ginst, for the first time, in Austrli s Stte of the Forest Report 2003 (see II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl X b) Inlnd wter X c) Mrine nd costl X d) Dry nd subhumid lnd e) Forest X X Not bsed explicitly on CBD Progrm of Work: Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion (see Trget 1.1 bove) Recognised s priority in Directions for the Ntionl Reserve System nd incorported in greed trgets s outlined bove. Not bsed explicitly on CBD Progrm of Work: Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion (see Trget 1.1 bove) Not bsed explicitly on CBD Progrm of Work: Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion (ref especilly prts 1 Ntive Vegettion nd Terrestril Ecosystems, 4 Invsive Species 5 Drylnd Slinity nd 6 Ecologiclly Sustinble Grzing (see Trget 1.1 bove). Trgets for forest ecosystems nd forest oldgrowth hve been used in the design of Austrli s forest reserve system. Austrli s Stte of the Forest report 2003 reports tht 13% of Austrli s forests re in conservtion reserves nd 71% of oldgrowth in Regionl Forest Agreement res re in reserves. f) Mountin X III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes X (ntionl trget) X (regionl trgets) Plese provide detils below. 18

19 In reltion to c) nd b) see 1.1 (I) bove) IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. See Box II. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. The development of set of Resource Condition Indictors is being coordinted by the Austrlin Government s Monitoring nd Evlution Working Group (MEWG). The MEWG ws estblished by the Nturl Resource Mngement Ministeril Council nd contins representtives from ech jurisdiction (Austrlin nd Stte/Territory governments). MEWG Contct Detils The indictors, when fully developed, will detil the method for monitoring ech 'mtter for trget' set out in the Ntionl Frmework for Nturl Resource Mngement Stndrds nd Trgets. These indictors re being developed primrily to mesure the performnce of investments mde under funding progrms such s the Ntionl Action Pln for Slinity nd Wter Qulity nd the Nturl Heritge Trust. At the sme time, use of consistent mesurement methods will enble the dt collected for these indictors to contribute to overll ssessments of resource condition. Regionl nturl resource mngement (NRM) bodies will be responsible for mking informed decisions bout the indictors required for the monitoring necessry in their regions. If, for exmple, n investment trgets slinity reduction in freshwter environment, the most relevnt indictors would likely focus on totl dissolved solids or electricl conductivity. (see Resource Condition Indictors) VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. Trgets nd Indictors for regionl plnning re still under development VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. 19

20 Box IV. Trget 1.2 Ares of prticulr importnce to biodiversity protected. I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? X b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished X Plese provide detils below. 20

21 PROTECTED AREAS The Ntionl Reserve System (NRS) Objective 1.4 of the Ntionl Strtegy for the Conservtion of Austrli's Biologicl Diversity is to: Estblish nd mnge comprehensive, dequte nd representtive system of protected res covering Austrli's biologicl diversity. To give effect to this, Austrli is developing ntionl reserve system (NRS) s outlined in new policy document, Directions for the Ntionl Reserve System A Prtnership Approch. The NRS progrm, initited in 1996 nd funded by the Nturl Heritge Trust, meets the requirement under the Ntionl Strtegy to estblish comprehensive, dequte nd representtive (CAR) system of terrestril protected res. There is seprte progrm to estblish mrine protected res. The NRS progrm initilly provided $85 million over 5 yers to meet its objectives, nd hs now been extended for further five yers to 2007 under the second phse of the Nturl Heritge Trust. Key trgets for the NRS progrm re: Lnd cquisition by Stte nd Territory conservtion gencies. Lnd cquisition for mngement by community groups. Voluntry estblishment of protected res on privte lnd. Voluntry estblishment of indigenous protected res. Development nd implementtion of best prctice protected re mngement. The fundmentl principles which support the Ntionl Reserve System re: Austrlin Guidelines for Estblishing the Ntionl Reserve System Interim Biogeogrphic Regionlistion of Austrli (IBRA) Directions for the Ntionl Reserve System - A Prtnership Approch hs been prepred to ssist government gencies, non-government orgnistions nd the community in the ongoing development of CAR protected re system cross Austrli. In pursuit of CAR system of protected res the NRS: ims to contin smples of ll ecosystems identified t n pproprite regionl scle; ims to contin res which re refugi or centres of species richness or endemism; considers the ecologicl requirements of rre or thretened species nd rre or thretened ecologicl communities nd ecosystems, in prticulr those listed in the Environment Protection nd Biodiversity Conservtion Act 1999 (EPBC Act) nd other Stte, Territory nd locl government legisltion or policy instruments; nd ccounts for specil groups of orgnisms, e.g. species with specilised hbitt requirements or wide-rnging or migrtory species, or species vulnerble to thretening processes tht my depend on reservtion for their conservtion. Forest reserve system in Regionl Forest Agreement res Regionl Forest Agreements were n inititive of the Ntionl Forest Policy Sttement. These Agreements cover the mjority the production forest res of Austrli. A principle objective of Regionl Forest Agreement ws to estblish world clss reserve system bsed on ntionlly greed principles nd criteri (JANIS 1997) 2. These included principles of comprehensiveness (covering the 2 JANIS (1997) Ntionlly Agreed Criteri for the Estblishment of comprehensive, dequte nd Representtive Reserve System for Forests in Austrli. A Joint ANZECC/MCFFA Ntionl Forest Policy Sttement Implementtion Subcommittee (JANIS) report, Commonwelth of Austrli, Cnberr 21

22 full rnge of forest communities cross the lndscpe), dequcy (mintennce of ecologicl vibility nd integrity of popultions, species nd communities), nd representtiveness (biodiversity of forest communities reserved) is resonbly reflected cross the lndscpe. Components of the reserve system included dedicted reserves (protected by legisltion), informl reserves within pproved mngement plns, protection of res outside dedicted or informl reserves by codes of prctice or mngement plns, nd protection of res on privte lnds by rnge of voluntry strtegies including conservtion covennts. Criteri for reserving key forest vlues involved setting re-bsed conservtion trgets. A trget of fifteen percent of the pre-1750 distribution of ech forest ecosystem ws set for reservtion in dedicted reserves. This compres fvourbly with minimum of ten percent of biomes identified in the globl trget. A trget of sixty percent of forest ecosystems recognised s vulnerble, nd ll remining occurrences of rre nd endngered forest ecosystems were to be reserved or protected by other mens (s bove), s fr s prcticl. All vible exmples of rre or depleted old-growth forest within forest ecosystem were to be completely protected with trget of sixty percent of oldgrowth of other forest ecosystems. Ninety percent or more, if prcticble, of the re of high qulity wilderness tht met minimum re requirements ws to be protected in reserves. These trgets nd biodiversity nd heritge ssessments on forest flor, fun nd ecosystems provided the bsis for designing the reserve system in regionl forest greement res. Commonwelth prks nd reserves The Austrlin Government, through The Director of Ntionl Prks, mnges Commonwelth prks nd reserves including res locted on externl islnd territories nd within Austrlin wters beyond the stte limit of three nuticl miles. Ech Austrlin Stte nd Territory Government lso hs its own protected re mngement gencies. The mjority of Commonwelth Mrine Protected Ares declred under the EPBC Act re mnged by the Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge under delegtion from the Director of Ntionl Prks. The Herd Islnd nd McDonld Islnds Mrine Reserve is mnged by the Austrlin Antrctic Division under delegtion from the Director. These prks nd reserves, which re generlly locted in remote res, protect tropicl islnds nd cys, nd temperte nd sub-antrctic mrine environments. The Gret Brrier Reef Mrine Prk is mnged by the Gret Brrier Reef Mrine Prk Authority under seprte legisltion. Austrli s governments re working together to estblish Ntionl Representtive System of Mrine Protected Ares (NRSMPA) throughout Austrli s entire mrine jurisdiction. ( The primry gol of the NRSMPA is to estblish nd mnge CAR system of mrine protected res to contribute to the long-term ecologicl vibility of mrine nd esturine systems, to mintin ecologicl processes nd systems, nd to protect Austrli s biologicl diversity t ll levels. Guidelines for Estblishing the NRSMPA were prepred to ssist government gencies in developing the NRSMPA nd to help stkeholders understnd this process. The Strtegic Pln of Action for the NRSMPA integrtes the policy nd plnning frmework nd outlines set of ctions to chieve its gols. The Interim Mrine nd Costl Regionlistion for Austrli (IMCRA) is the mrine equivlent of the IBRA nd is n greed regionl frmework for plnning resource use nd biodiversity conservtion, including estblishing the NRSMPA. The frmework's ecosystem-scle (100s 1000s kilometres) clssifiction of the Austrlin continentl shelf hs identified 60 bioregions in Austrlin wters. A new Zoning Pln for the entire Gret Brrier Reef (GBR) Mrine Prk becme lw on 1 July

23 The proportion of the Mrine Prk protected by highly protected no-tke zones ws incresed from less thn 5% to more thn 33%, nd now protects representtive exmples of ech of the 70 brod hbitt types identified cross the Gret Brrier Reef region. Key chievements ginst this objective include: Protection of over 33% (>115,000 km 2 ) of the Gret Brrier Reef Mrine Prk within the world s lrgest network of mrine no-tke res. Cretion of network of highly protected res tht is representtive of ll 70 bioregions (hbitts) within the Mrine Prk. Migrtory species, such s mrine turtles nd mrine mmmls, were tken into ccount during the Representtive Ares Progrm negotitions, undertken by the Gret Brrier Reef Mrine Prk Authority. Specific principles were developed to guide the incorportion of importnt dugong nd mrine turtle hbitts into the finl network of highly protected res. For dugongs, the principle trget of including pproximtely 50% of importnt dugong hbitt in highly protected res ws met. For mrine turtles, the principle trget of including minimum of 20% of forging nd 100% of importnt nesting sites in highly protected res ws met. (see: Biophysicl Opertion Principles t The pproch tken for mngement of the GBR hs been recognised s one of the most comprehensive, innovtive nd exciting globl dvnces nywhere in the world in recent decdes, in the systemtic protection of mrine biodiversity nd mrine conservtion. The Nturl Heritge Trust The Nturl Heritge Trust (NHT) ws set up by the Austrlin Government in 1997 to help restore nd conserve Austrli's environment nd nturl resources. Since then, thousnds of community groups nd orgnistions hve received funding for environmentl nd nturl resource mngement projects. Hot Spots In 2004 the Austrlin Government lunched new Hotspot progrmme. The im of the new progrmme is to improve the conservtion of Austrli's biodiversity hotspots on privte nd lesehold lnd by enhncing ctive conservtion mngement nd protection of existing terrestril nd freshwter ecosystems s hbitt for ntive plnts nd nimls. The progrmme will focus on ctions tht ddress mtters of ntionl environmentl significnce. There re two components to the progrmme. The first is pying privte lndholders or lessees in hotspot regions to undertke bove nd beyond duty of cre conservtion ctivities to deliver specific biodiversity outcomes. The second is voluntry lnd cquisition component trgeting outstnding high biodiversity vlue properties. II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl x b) Inlnd wter X See trget 1.1 (II) bove c) Mrine nd costl X See trget 1.1 (II) bove d) Dry nd subhumid lnd X See trget 1.1 (II) bove 23

24 e) Forest X See trget 1.1 (II) bove f) Mountin X III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes X See Trget 1.2 bove X See Trget 1.1 nd 1.2 bove Plese provide detils below. See trgets 1.1 nd 1.2 bove. IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. See Box II bove. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. See Trget 1.1, Box V) bove. Criteri nd indictors bsed on the Montrel Process re used to report sttus nd trends in Austrli s forests (Section 1.1 of Austrli s Stte of the Forests Report 2003). VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. The Ntionl Reserve System is bsed, to lrge extent, on the cquisition of key properties for the development of CAR reserve system. Meeting trgets usully depends on negotition on the open mrket where cquisition prices cn be high. Lnd cquisition for the NRS system is most constrined in the griculturl, higher rinfll, high production zones where extensive clering of ntive ecosystems nd purchse costs provides few opportunities to cquire privte lnd for conservtion purposes. VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. Box V. Gol 2 Trget 2.1 Promote the conservtion of species diversity Restore, mintin, or reduce the decline of popultions of species of selected txonomic groups I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? X b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished Plese provide detils below. The Austrlin Government mechnism for ntionl environment protection nd biodiversity 24

25 conservtion is the Environment Protection nd Biodiversity Conservtion Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The EPBC Act provides for: identifiction nd listing of Thretened Species nd Thretened Ecologicl Communities; development of Recovery Plns for listed species nd ecologicl communities; recognition of Key Thretening Processes; nd where pproprite, reducing these processes through Thret Abtement Plns. The EPBC Act provides for nomintion by members of the public of species nd ecologicl communities for listing. Nomintions re ssessed by Thretened Species Scientific Committee. The EPBC Act lso llows for the development of Register of Criticl Hbitt. In ddition to the requirements of the EPBC Act, development of ction plns nd conservtion overviews, tht provide informtion on the sttus of lrge group of relted orgnisms, cn lso ssist in the listing of thretened species nd ecologicl communities. Ctegories of ntionl conservtion sttus estblished by the EPBC Act When the EPBC Act becme lw the ntionl list of thretened species, ecologicl communities nd thretening processes consisted only of those previously listed under the preceeding Endngered Species Protection Act Under the EPBC Act, new ctegories hve been dded for listed thretened species nd ecologicl communities. Criticlly endngered, conservtion dependnt nd extinct in the wild hve been dded to the previous ctegories of endngered, vulnerble nd extinct. For ecologicl communities, criticlly endngered nd vulnerble hve been dded to the previous ctegory of endngered. New nomintions for species nd ecologicl communities re ssessed nd listed under the EPBC Act by Thretened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC), ccording to the criteri for the new ctegories. The TSSC is reconsidering the sttus of the initil ntionl list of thretened species nd communities, in line with new or refined EPBC ctegories, s informtion is updted nd mde vilble for ssessment. Every yer the Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge sponsors nd supports mny specil events, including Ntionl Thretened Species Dy on September 7. More informtion cn be found t: Informtion nd Resources Ctegories of ntionl conservtion sttus estblished by the EPBC Act More thretened species informtion Stte nd territory Internet sites Where invsive lien species re implicted in the decline or vulnerbility of ntive species, the Austrlin Government, through the Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge s dministrtion of the EPBC Act, cn: list Key Thretening Processes: develop nd implement Thret Abtement Plns (TAPs). II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl X b) Inlnd wter X See trget 1.1 (II) bove 25

26 c) Mrine nd costl X See trget 1.1 (II) bove d) Dry nd subhumid lnd X See trget 1.1 (II) bove e) Forest X Regionl Forest Agreements hve specific provisions for the mngement, protection nd restortion of thretened or priority species nd mngement of thretening processes. f) Mountin X III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln X (ntionl trget) c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes X (regionl trgets) Plese provide detils below. In reltion to c) see 1.1 (I) bove) IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. See Box II bove. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. See Trget 1.1 (V) bove. Trends in forest-dwelling species re provided through indictors 1.2, 1.2b nd 1.2c in the Austrli s Stte of the Forest Report VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. Box VI. Trget 2.2 Sttus of thretened species improved I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? X b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished X Plese provide detils below. See Trget 2.1 bove. 26

27 II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl X b) Inlnd wter X See trget 1.1 (II) bove c) Mrine nd costl X See trget 1.1 (II) bove d) Dry nd subhumid lnd X See trget 1.1 (II) bove e) Forest X See trget 2.1 (II) bove f) Mountin X III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln X (ntionl trget) c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes X (regionl trgets) Plese provide detils below. In reltion to c) see 1.1 (I) bove) IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. See Box II, bove. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. Trends in forest-dwelling species re provided through indictors 1.2, 1.2b nd 1.2c in Austrli s Stte of the Forest Report VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. A key chllenge to improve the sttus of thretened species is to ensure tht recovery ctions for ntionlly thretened species nd ecologicl communities re integrted with other on-ground nturl resource mngement ctivities being undertken by lndholders, community groups nd regionl orgnistions. This chllenge is being ddressed in number of wys such s ensuring regionl orgnistions hve ccess to informtion on thretened species in their regions, nd skilling nturl resource mngement networks in thretened species issues. VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. Box VII. Gol 3 Promote the conservtion of genetic diversity 27

28 Trget 3.1 Genetic diversity of crops, livestock, nd of hrvested species of trees, fish nd wildlife nd other vluble species conserved, nd ssocited indigenous nd locl knowledge mintined I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? X b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished Plese provide detils below. II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl b) Inlnd wter c) Mrine nd costl d) Dry nd subhumid lnd e) Forest f) Mountin III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes Plese provide detils below. IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. See Box II, bove. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. Trends in forest genetics re reported in Austrli s Stte of the Forest Report 2003 in indictors 1.3 nd 1.3b. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. 28

29 VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. Box VIII. Gol 4 Trget 4.1 Promote sustinble use nd consumption. Biodiversity-bsed products derived from sources tht re sustinbly mnged, nd production res mnged consistent with the conservtion of biodiversity. I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished X Plese provide detils below. 29

30 See Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion under Trget 1.1 Nturl Resource Mngement Progrms Stte, Territory nd Austrlin governments, long with community groups, industry nd lndholders re investing lrge sums to ddress nturl resource mngement issues in Austrli. The Nturl Heritge Trust (NHT) nd the Ntionl Action Pln for Slinity nd Wter Qulity (NAP), worth $1.4 billion nd $3 billion respectively, re the two mjor progrms through which ction is currently being tken. These represent the biggest finncil commitment to environmentl ction in Austrli's history nd re plying n importnt role in protecting nd enhncing Austrli's unique biodiversity, the vibility of rurl nd regionl communities nd the future of our griculturl industries. Both the NAP nd the NHT re prtnerships between ll levels of community nd Government. The progrms re driven by single regionl plns, developed by locl communities nd supported by government nd the best vilble science, to improve the mngement of nturl resources on regionl scle. At the regionl level, the level common to both the NAP nd the NHT, single ccredited nturl resource mngement pln nd single investment strtegy per region re being used s the bsis for investment for both progrms. This is to ensure tht the two progrms re delivered in n integrted mnner. In ddition, monitoring nd evlution processes, communictions strtegies, cpcity building strtegies nd the development of mrket-bsed instruments nd environment mngement systems will be ligned for the two progrms. Effective monitoring nd evlution ensures tht mngers hve the informtion required to llocte resources efficiently nd effectively, nd the prliment nd public cn hve confidence tht funds re being ppropritely spent. Fifty-six regions hve been identified covering ll of Austrli, nd nturl resource mngement pln is being developed for ech. Plns consider ll environmentl, socil nd economic impcts of nturl resource mngement decisions on regionl bsis. The Nturl Resource Mngement Ministeril Council (NRMMC), on which governments of ll sttes nd territories nd the Commonwelth re represented, hs been estblished to develop coordinted pproch to issues ffecting nturl resource mngement in Austrli. The NRMMC oversees the joint implementtion of the NHT nd the NAP. The NRMMC hs estblished two ntionl level documents to ssist with monitoring, evlution nd reporting on nturl resource mngement. They re the: Ntionl Frmework for Nturl Resource Mngement Stndrds nd Trgets, nd the Ntionl Nturl Resource Mngement Monitoring nd Evlution Frmework The Ntionl Nturl Resource Mngement Frmework for Stndrds nd Trgets sets out ntionl outcomes tht investment in nturl resource mngement, through progrms such s the NAP nd the NHT, should work to chieve (see under Trget 1.1). Sustinble mngement of Austrli s forests The Austrlin concept of ecologiclly sustinble forest mngement cn be defined s the integrtion of commercil nd non-commercil vlues of forests so tht the welfre of society (both mteril nd non-mteril) is improved, whilst ensuring tht the vlues of forests, both s resource for commercil use nd for conservtion, re not lost or degrded for current nd future genertions. The concept formed primry bsis for ll Regionl Forest Agreements. Systems nd processes for the mngement of ll forest vlues were ssessed to provide bsis for ecologiclly sustinble forest mngement over the long term. Seven criteri nd two over-rching principles were used in the ssessments. These included protection nd mintennce of biologicl diversity, mintennce of productive cpcity of ecosystems, mintennce of forest ecosystem helth nd vitlity, protection of soil nd wter resources, mintennce of forest contribution to globl 30

31 crbon cycles, mintennce of nturl nd culturl heritge vlues, nd mintennce nd enhncement of long-term socio-economic benefits to meet the needs of society. The precutionry pproch for the prevention of environmentl degrdtion, nd inter-genertionl equity, were the two overrching principles. On the bsis of these ssessments, process for improvements to forest mngement systems nd processes in ech Stte, covering legisltion, plnning, implementtion, monitoring nd evlution, nd review nd improvement, ws put in plce through Regionl Forest Agreements, including improved coopertion between industry sectors nd government gencies. A mjor step towrds chieving ecologiclly sustinble forest mngement ws greement between Governments to estblish environmentl mngement systems on public lnds cpble of responding to vrying temporl scles, lg effects nd chnges to forest ecosystem processes. In Regionl Forest Agreement res, systems re in plce to mnge forests on the bsis of sustinble yield nd review, nd improve forest prctices. Sustinble mngement of Austrli s rngelnds Concerns bout the ecologicl condition of Austrli s rngelnds, nd bout the socil nd economic sustinbility of its industries, hve given rise to efforts to diversify lnd use in this vst re of inlnd Austrli. In recent yers substntil flor nd fun hrvesting industry (eg ntive seeds, bush foods, cut flowers, ferl gots nd bufflo hrvesting) hs developed in the rngelnds. The rights of indigenous peoples, who re ntive title holders, re centrl to commercilly nd ecologiclly sustinble rngelnd enterprises. The Austrlin Collbortive Rngelnd Informtion System (ACRIS) The rngelnds cover 75% of the continent, including some of its most remote nd lest disturbed lndscpes nd reporting is mjor undertking. The Austrlin Collbortive Rngelnd Informtion System (ACRIS) is coordinting mechnism tht colltes rngelnd informtion from Stte, Northern Territory (NT) nd Austrlin Government gencies, nd other sources. The ACRIS Mngement Committee hs representtives of Austrlin nd Stte/NT Governments nd Mngement Unit co-locted with the Desert Knowledge Coopertive Reserch Centre (CRC). ACRIS themes for monitoring include indictors for lndscpe nd ecosystem chnge nd sustinble wter mngement. The wter theme will be bsed prtly on the distribution of wter points in the lndscpe. ACRIS is due to report in The ACRIS reporting frmework is bsed on lnd use pressures rther thn nturl chrcteristics such s climte nd rinfll nd reports ginst chnges in five diverse chrcteristics including criticl stock forge productivity, ntive vegettion species presence, overll vegettion cover, lndscpe function nd socil responses to environmentl problems. The interntionl movement of wildlife nd wildlife products for commercil purposes nd sustinble use The interntionl movement of wildlife nd wildlife products for commercil purposes is regulted under the EPBC Act. The Act contins number of provisions relting to sustinble use. Commercil trde in specimens derived from regulted ntive species, species listed by the Convention for Interntionl Trde in Endngered Species (CITES), or the import of regulted live plnts nd nimls for commercil purposes, my be llowed provided the specimens hve been derived from n pproved source. Compnies tht trde commercilly in wildlife or wildlife products must ensure tht they cn demonstrte their products hve been derived from n pproved source, or re exempt from the provisions of the Act. The export of live ntive mphibins, reptiles, birds nd mmmls for commercil purposes is prohibited, lthough these my be eligible for export for noncommercil purposes. 31

32 For further informtion, see: Appliction for pprovl of wildlife progrm Wildlife trde guidelines on the pprovl of wildlife progrm Wildlife trde opertions Approved wildlife trde mngement plns Accredited wildlife trde mngement plns Approved commercil import progrms Trde in wildlife for non-commercil purposes Wild hrvest of ntive species Commercil exports of regulted ntive species The EPBC Act provides tht export of specimens derived from regulted ntive species for commercil purposes my occur only if it is derived from one of these sources: Approved cptive breeding progrm; Approved rtificil propgtion progrm; Approved quculture progrm; Approved wildlife trde opertion; Approved wildlife trde mngement pln; or Accredited wildlife trde mngement pln Declrtions listed on the pproved source registers re in force until their expiry (see Exports of regulted ntive species, derived from pproved sources, require n export permit from the Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge, except for ccredited wildlife trde mngement plns. Specimens of CITES listed species my be imported or exported for commercil purposes provided they hve been derived from n: Approved CITES registered cptive breeding progrm (Appendix I nimls) Artificilly propgted plnts (Appendix I nd II plnts) Animls bred in cptivity (Appendix II nimls) or Approved commercil import progrms (Appendix II plnts nd nimls nd quculture) Commercil export of CITES listed live ntive mmmls, birds, reptiles or mphibins is not permitted. Specimens of plnts nd nimls listed on Appendix III my be imported for commercil purposes provided relevnt CITES uthority in the country of export hs given permission for the export. II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl b) Inlnd wter c) Mrine nd costl d) Dry nd subhumid lnd 32

33 e) Forest X See Trget 4.1(I) f) Mountin III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes X Plese provide detils below. IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. See Box II bove V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. See Trget 1.1 (V) bove. Trends in sustinble forest mngement re reported in Austrli s Stte of the Forest Report Indictors in Section 2.1 of this report provide informtion nd trends prticulrly relevnt to this trget. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. Box IX. Trget 4.2 Unsustinble consumption, of biologicl resources, or tht impcts upon biodiversity, reduced. I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? X b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished Plese provide detils below. See Trget 4.1 bove II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl See Trget 4.1 bove 33

34 b) Inlnd wter See Trget 4.1 bove c) Mrine nd costl See Trget 4.1 bove d) Dry nd subhumid lnd See Trget 4.1 bove e) Forest See Trget 4.1 bove f) Mountin See Trget 4.1 bove III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes See Trget 4.1 (III) bove See Trget 4.1 (III) bove See Trget 4.1 (III) bove Plese provide detils below. IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. See Box II bove V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. See Trget 1.1 (V) bove. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. Box X. Trget 4.3 No species of wild flor or fun endngered by interntionl trde. I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget X c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished Plese provide detils below. The interntionl movement of wildlife nd wildlife products for commercil purposes is regulted under the EPBC Act nd legisltion to meet CITES obligtions (see Trget 4.1 bove) 34

35 II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl see Trget 4.1 (I) b) Inlnd wter see Trget 4.1 (I) c) Mrine nd costl see Trget 4.1 (I) d) Dry nd subhumid lnd see Trget 4.1 (I) e) Forest see Trget 4.1 (I) f) Mountin see Trget 4.1 (I) III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmes nd strtegies? ). b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln X c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes Plese provide detils below. See Trget 4.1 IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. See Box II bove. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. Indictors used for this trget include results of ssessments undertken for pproved sources, export permits issued for wildlife, nd the mount nd types of illegl wildlife trde detected. Delibertions nd proposls under the uspices of CITES lso provides primry role in identifying wildlife endngered due to interntionl trde. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. Enforcement nd monitoring continues to be chllenge for interntionl wildlife trde regultion. There is significnt orgnized crime fctor in wildlife smuggling. Sophisticted opertions involving networked group of hrvesters, propgtors, keepers, breeders, lunderers nd trnsporters serve well estblished mrkets. These opertions cross ntionl borders nd re highly orgnized. 35

36 VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. 36

37 Box XI. Gol 5 Trget 5.1 Pressures from hbitt loss, lnd use chnge nd degrdtion, nd unsustinble wter use, reduced. Rte of loss nd degrdtion of nturl hbitts decresed. I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished X Plese provide detils below. See Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion under Trget 1.1. In ddition to the Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion , Austrli promotes fcilittive mechnisms nd voluntry ppliction of indictor nd monitoring systems t the domestic level nd hs substntilly moved towrds specific, time bound nd mesurble trgets in regionl plnning. This is crried out under the (Ntionl Action Pln on Slinity nd Wter Qulity (NAP) nd the Nturl Heritge Trust (NHT) ( II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl X b) Inlnd wter X See Trget 1.1 (II) bove c) Mrine nd costl X See Trget 1.1 (II) bove d) Dry nd subhumid lnd X See Trget 1.1 (II) bove e) Forest X See Trget 1.1 (II) bove f) Mountin X III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln X c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes X Plese provide detils below. The NOTs underpin the The Ntionl Strtegy for the Conservtion of Austrli's Biologicl Diversity Ntionl Strtegy (see under Trget 1.1). The NOTs provide ntionl bseline of trgets for development of regionl trgets s Austrli moves towrds specific, time bound nd mesurble trgets in regionl plnning under the (Ntionl Action Pln on Slinity nd Wter Qulity (NAP) nd the Nturl Heritge Trust (NHT) ( 37

38 IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. See Box II bove. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. See Trget 1.1 (V) bove. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. The stged implementtion of regionl plnning trgets recognizes tht they will be lrgely spirtionl until the pproprite monitoring nd evlution infrstructure is in plce t the regionl scle, over the next yers. Bselines, either previously estblished, or to be estblished s prt of regionl plnning process, re n essentil component of the Ntionl NRM Stndrds nd Trgets nd the Monitoring nd Evlution Frmeworks. There re chllenges hed in estblishing new bselines. VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. Box XII. Gol 6 Trget 6.1 Control threts from invsive lien species. Pthwys for mjor potentil lien invsive species controlled. I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? X b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished Plese provide detils below. The Austrlin Government hs responsible for the regultion of the import nd export of niml nd plnt mteril, nd is hevily involved in development nd implementtion of ntionl mesures nd greed progrms to control invsive lien species (IAS), primrily ferl nimls nd weeds. Risk ssessment, qurntine nd import controls Preventing introduction nd estblishment of invsive species is the most cost-effective mens of pest mngement. The Austrlin Government hs estblished processes to ssess the risk ssocited with proposed imports to reduce the potentil for the introduction of pests nd diseses. The Qurntine Act 1908 (dministered by the Austrlin Deprtment of Agriculture, Fisheries nd Forestry (DAFF)) nd the EPBC Act (dministered by the Austrlin Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge (DEH)) regulte the entry of live plnts nd nimls into Austrli. The EPBC Act controls the import of live specimens into Austrli so tht the likelihood of importing non-ntive species with the potentil to hve significnt impct on the environment is minimised. Both the Qurntine Act 1908 nd the EPBC Act require tht live specimens be ssessed for their 38

39 potentil impcts. The two Austrlin Government gencies, DAFF nd DEH, hve worked closely to develop n integrted process for the ssessment of specimens. This reduces dupliction nd stremlines the ssessment process, both for the Austrlin Government nd for the pplicnt (potentil importer). The greement of both Deprtments is required before live specimen cn be imported. The EPBC Act estblished list of specimens suitble for live import (the live import list) nd prohibits the import of ny species not on this list. The live import list is divided into two prts Prt 1 is list of specimens tht my be imported without permit nd Prt 2 is list of specimens tht my only be imported with permit, often with conditions ttched. It is n offence to import specimen tht does not pper on the list, or specimen on Prt 2 without permit. An pplicnt wishing to dd species to this live import list must prepre n ssessment report exmining the potentil impcts on the environment of the proposed import ginst greed Terms of Reference. The drft report is published on the DEH website for public comment nd letter is lso sent to the pproprite Stte, Territory nd Austrlin government Ministers requesting comment. A species will be dded to the live import list only when the Minister is stisfied tht it will not impct on the Austrlin Environment. The wildlife trde mendments to the EPBC Act hve been in plce since Jnury To dte, the Government hs received 161 pplictions to mend the live import list, nd 34 species hve been dded following rigorous ssessment. Most of these hve been permitted for import into high security fcilities only. In ddition the import conditions for 4 species hve been ltered. Further ssessments for 90 species re in process. During Biosecurity Austrli (n gency within DAFF, using the ntionl weed risk ssessment process (WRA), refused entry for 320 plnt species. The WRA process showed tht these species hd high potentil to become weed of griculture nd/or the environment if they were to be imported into Austrli. Ntionl IAS coordintion Coordinted ction cross Austrli is criticl to prevention, rpid response nd control of invsive species. Coopertive rrngements hve been developed between the Austrlin nd Stte nd Territory governments to ensure this ction is effective. The Austrlin Weeds Committee provides n inter-governmentl mechnism for identifiction nd resolution of weed issues t ntionl level for Austrli. The Committee mnges the implementtion of the Ntionl Weeds Strtegy. This strtegy provides ntionl pproch to the mngement of the Weeds of Ntionl Significnce nd those species listed on the Ntionl Environmentl Alert List. The Vertebrte Pests Committee identifies ntionlly significnt vertebrte pest issues, recommends pproprite mngement ctions, nd develops principles, ntionl policies, strtegies nd progrms relting to vertebrte pests to ensure the conservtion, sustinble use nd mngement of Austrli s lnd, wter nd biologicl resources. Unlike the Ntionl Weeds Strtegy, there is currently no ntionl strtegy for invsive niml species. As prt of review of the functions of the Vertebrte Pest Committee, the Committee is currently considering the development of ntionl strtegy tht would ddress the impct nd mngement of ll invsive niml species, similr to the pproch developed for weeds. The Ntionl Introduced Mrine Pests Coordintion Group (NIMPCG) hs been estblished to develop comprehensive Ntionl System for the Prevention nd Mngement of Introduced Mrine Pest Incursions. It will include: Prevention systems to reduce the risk of mrine pests reching Austrli Coordinted emergency response to new incursions (including greed cost shring 39

40 rrngements) Ongoing control of introduced mrine pests lredy estblished in Austrli Supporting components for reserch nd development, monitoring, communictions nd evlution nd review. The Ntionl System will include regultion of bllst wter entering Austrlin wters nd moving between Austrlin ports, nd frmework for mngement of biofouling pests. Detiled implementtion rrngements for the Ntionl System re being developed nd re expected to be completed by October In the mentime, implementtion of some elements hve commenced, with; mndtory bllst wter mngement requirements for interntionl vessels introduced by the Austrlin Qurntine nd Inspection Service in July 2001; estblishment nd opertion the ntionl emergency response network overseen by the Coordinting Committee for Introduced Mrine Pest Emergencies (CCIMPE); nd initil voluntry implementtion of protocol for mngement of biofouling risks on smll interntionl vessels. CCIMPE oversees ntionl emergency response network for mrine pests. Under this rrngement, up to AUD 5 million my be mde vilble to combt n introduced mrine pest outbrek of mjor concern tht is menble to erdiction. CCIMPE consists of relevnt gencies of the Austrlin Government, including the ntionl scientific reserch orgniztion, CSIRO, nd the Sttes nd Northern Territory. Key mesures still being developed under the Ntionl System include: best mngement prctice protocols for the control of biofouling (including for commercil ships, recretionl nd fishing vessels nd quculture opertions. Drfts of these protocols re currently undergoing further consulttion nd/or risk ssessment prior to implementtion) bllst wter mngement requirements for ships moving between Austrlin ports, control plns for key species lredy estblished in Austrli, trgeted monitoring progrm, communictions strtegy, n evlution nd review strtegy, nd reserch nd development strtegy. Interntionl Considertions Austrli is involved in interntionl ctivities concerned with invsive species control, consistent with current interntionl stndrds, through: The World Trde Orgniztion s Agreement on the Appliction of Snitry nd Phytosnitry Mesures; The United Ntions Food & Agriculture Orgnistion Interntionl Plnt Protection Convention; The Office Interntionl des Epizooties of the World Animl Helth Orgnistion (on niml diseses nd invertebrte pests tht infect nimls or tht re vectors for microbil diseses of nimls), nd the Interntionl Mritime Orgnistion - Mrine Environment Protection Committee, (on invsive mrine pests through bllst wter). Border Protection Austrli shres three interntionl mritime borders - with Ppu New Guine, Indonesi nd Est Timor. Limited trditionl movement occurs between Austrli nd neighbouring countries under trety nd other rrngements (e.g. The Torres Strit Trety). The Austrlin Government s constitutionl responsibilities re embodied in the Qurntine Act 1908, which underpins border protection regime bsed on three key elements: 40

41 Assessing risks nd identifying the policies nd mesures necessry to ddress those risks (through the Import Risk Anlysis (IRA) nd Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) processes) mnged by Biosecurity Austrli; Implementing those mesures t the border (Border Protection), mnged by the Austrlin Qurntine nd Inspection Service (AQIS); nd Developing surveillnce systems nd complementry mesures in neighbouring countries (Northern Austrli Qurntine Strtegy), together with off-shore nd overses inspections, mnged by AQIS. The objective of Austrlin Government biosecurity policies is to prevent or control the entry, estblishment or spred of pests nd diseses tht will or could cuse significnt dmge to humn beings, nimls, plnts, other prts of the environment, or economic ctivities. For niml nd plnt biosecurity, n import risk nlysis (IRA) identifies the pests nd diseses relevnt to n import proposl, ssesses the risks posed by them nd, if those risks re uncceptble, specifies wht mesures should be tken to reduce those risks to n cceptble level. Import risk nlyses re conducted in ccordnce with the dministrtive process detiled in the Import Risk Anlysis Hndbook, nd conform with Austrli's interntionl obligtions. The Qurntine Act requires the Director of Animl nd Plnt Qurntine to ensure tht environmentl fctors re considered in the decision mking process. A Memorndum of Understnding opertes between Biosecurity Austrli nd the Deprtment Environment nd Heritge to fcilitte input of dvice on environmentl mtters into Austrli s import risk nlysis process. The Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) process opertes in prllel to the IRA, nd is designed to enble non-invsive plnt species to be imported, while preventing the importtion of potentilly invsive species new to Austrli. Clients of the WRA process include wholesle nurseries, horticulturl compnies, griculturl suppliers, privte individuls, botnicl grdens, universities, reserchers, nd stte nd territory governments. The WRA process tkes into ccount wide rnge of fctors including the domestiction of the species, climte suitbility, distribution of the species, weed sttus elsewhere in the world, undesirble trits, plnt genus nd provennce, reproductive methods, propgtble dispersl mechnisms nd persistence ttributes. The results of the IRA nd WRA processes re opertionlised by the ntionl qurntine service, (AQIS). Bllst wter is recognised mechnism for the trnsloction of mrine pests when bllst wter tken on outside Austrlin wters is dischrged in Austrli. The Austrlin Qurntine nd Inspection Service introduced mndtory bllst wter mngement requirements for interntionl vessels in July This requires ships to exchnge bllst wter on the high ses, except where risk ssessment indictes tht mrine pest trnsloction is unlikely. Surveillnce Cpcity A pest incursion occurs when n exotic pest, disese or weed is detected within ntionl qurntine brriers for the first time nd hs spred beyond the recognised limits of qurntine opertions. Effective surveillnce nd erly identifiction is the min determinnt in chieving n effective response to incursions. The Government mnges trgeted but limited surveillnce through AQIS for specific pests such s fruit flies, screw-worm fly nd Asin Gypsy Moth. It is lso working with Animl Helth Austrli (AHA) nd Plnt Helth Austrli (PHA) to enhnce the generl surveillnce cpcity of wide rnge of stkeholders through ntionl wreness nd reporting progrms. It is in the context of surveillnce tht the Northern Austrli Qurntine Strtegy (NAQS) is criticl. This opertes through coopertion with relevnt Stte nd Territory qurntine services nd the 41

42 governments of neighbouring countries, nd drws hevily on coopertion with, nd knowledge of, indigenous communities in res such s Arnhem Lnd in the Northern Territory nd the Torres Strit Islnds, which re prt of Queenslnd. Much of the Northern Austrli Qurntine Strtegy s monitoring nd survey work occurs on boriginl nd Torres Strit Islnder owned lnd, nd could not tke plce without the permission of indigenous owners. Indigenous rngers lso look out for invsive species, such s Europen honeybees (lredy well estblished in southern Austrli), occurring on their lnds. These bees directly threten ntive bee species tht produce honey, which is n importnt indigenous nd locl food. The NAQS lso relies hevily on n informed public for erly detection of potentil weed invders. During lerts by the public led to detection of new outbreks of two trget weeds Mikni micrnth nd Limnochris flv, nd identifiction of nother two, Clidemi hirt, recorded for the first time in Austrli, nd Micini rcemos, which ws recorded for the first time outside its nturl rnge in tropicl Americ. NAQS officers lso work in neighbouring countries nd hve ssisted, for exmple, in estblishing Est Timor s first qurntine service. Veterinrins from Ppu New Guine, Indonesi nd Est Timor hve lso ttended trining courses t Austrli s Animl Helth Lbortory in Victori, under NAQS uspices. See lso: Ntionl Weed Strtegy Ntionl Weed Assessment Ntionl Strtegy for the Conservtion of Austrli s Biologicl Diversity II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl X b) Inlnd wter X c) Mrine nd costl X d) Dry nd subhumid lnd X e) Forest X f) Mountin X See Trget 6.1 (I) bove nd (III (b) nd (c) below. See Trget 6.1 (I) bove nd (III (b) nd (c) below. See Trget 6.1 (I) bove nd (III (b) nd (c) below. See Trget 6.1 (I) bove nd (III (b) nd (c) below. See Trget 6.1 (I) bove nd (III (b) nd (c) below. See Trget 6.1 (I) bove nd (III (b) nd (c) below. III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln See Trget 6.1 (I) bove. X (See NOTs Trget 1.1) 42

43 c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes X (See NOTs Trget 1.1) Plese provide detils below. Ntionl trgets under the NOTs re not designed to mtch individul CBD POWs. However, NOTs Trget 4 on Invsive Species pplies generlly to IAS cross ll bove ctegories. IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. See Box II nd Trget 6.1 bove. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. Five yerly Stte of the Environment reporting. Indictor 3.1 in Austrli s Stte of the Forests Report (2003) provides forest relted informtion on Invsive Species. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. Box XIII. Trget 6.2 Mngement plns in plce for mjor lien species tht threten ecosystems, hbitts or species. I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished X Plese provide detils below. See Trgets 1.1 nd 6.1 bove. II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl X See Trgets 1.1 nd 6.1 bove. However, trget species re identified for mngement nd response plnning etc. Weeds in both griculture nd the environment re trgeted under Weeds of Ntionl Significnce (WoNS) nd weeds lert lists nd mngement plns nd 78 vertebrte nd pthogens trget pests to griculture hve recently been compiled for similr tretment. Time bound nd/or quntittive trgets re not set. 43

44 b) Inlnd wter X See Trgets 1.1 nd 6.1 bove. Also, future domestic work hs been identified under the Rmsr Work Pln Opertionl Objective 5 (Invsive Alien Species) nd mngement plns pply to 6 wetlnds nd inlnd wters relted WoNS. These re: Alternnther philoxeroides, Hymenchne mplexiculis, Mimos pigr, Prthenium hysterophorus, Slvini molest, Slix spp. except S. bbylonic c) Mrine nd costl X See Trgets 1.1 nd 6.1 bove. Trget species re identified (e.g.; bllst wter borne incursions) nd brod objectives re set. Time bound nd/or quntittive trgets re not set. d) Dry nd subhumid lnd X See Trgets 1.1 nd 6.1 nd 6.2 (II) () bove. e) Forest X See Trgets 1.1 nd 6.1 bove. Under the Government s Ntionl Forest Helth Committee Generic Forest Incursion Pln for Pests nd Diseses (2000) sets out blueprint to evlute the significnce of new incursions, nd for ction to erdicte them if such ction is justified. f) Mountin See Trgets 1.1 nd 6.1 bove. III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln X (see below) c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes X (see below) Plese provide detils below. See under Trget 1.1, the Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets (NOTs, Trget 4). To ddress the significnt environmentl, economic, nd socil impcts cused by invsive vertebrte species, governments within Austrli re currently developing ntionl strtegy for the mngement of these species. It is intended the strtegy will identify prevention, detection, intervention, erdiction, nd control processes required for invsive vertebrte species. The EPBC Act provides for the development of thret btement plns to ddress listed key thretening processes. Thret btement plns hve been developed to ddress the specific threts posed by the Europen red fox, ferl cts, ferl rbbits, ferl gots, nd Phytophthor cinnmomi. The ctions nd objectives of these plns continue to be implemented to ultimtely reduce the impcts cused by these prticulr species. Further thret btement plns re currently under development to ddress other significnt invsive species, including ferl pigs, mphibin chytrid fungus, Psittcine Circovirl (bek nd fether) disese, nd trmp nts (such s the Red Imported Fire Ant). IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. 44

45 V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. The development nd implementtion of thret btement plns to ddress key thretening processes listed under the EPBC Act is n indictor of the level of ction to combt mjor lien species. On-ground indictors include chnges in distribution nd bundnce of key thretening species nd the chnges in the impcts they cuse, which my vry t the continentl scle. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. 45

46 Box XIV. Gol 7 Trget 7.1 Address chllenges to biodiversity from climte chnge, nd pollution. Mintin nd enhnce resilience of the components of biodiversity to dpt to climte chnge. I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove?. b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished X Plese provide detils below. See under Trget 1.1. The Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion ( ) (NOTs), Trget 7. The Austrlin Government, together with the Sttes nd Territories, hs developed Ntionl Biodiversity nd Climte Chnge Action Pln. Following n Austrli-wide consulttion process, pln ws dopted by the Nturl Resource Mngement Ministeril Council in The Ntionl Biodiversity nd Climte Chnge Action Pln is the first document to provide brod frmework to support dpttion to climte chnge cross Austrli, nd one of the first biodiversity dpttion plns in the world. The pln will help coordinte the ctivities of different Austrlin governments to ddress the impcts of climte chnge on biodiversity nd will be n importnt step in coordinting ntionl, stte nd territory government's climte chnge impcts nd dpttion progrms. The ction pln sets seven specific objectives to help Austrli s biodiversity dpt to the impcts of climte chnge, nd specifies the necessry ctions to rech these objectives. The objectives focus on gthering knowledge (see 1 nd 2), minimising impct on biodiversity (see 3, 4, 5 nd 6) nd incorporting knowledge nd hrm-minimistion strtegies into the mngement of nturl resources nd lnd-use (see 7). II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl b) Inlnd wter X c) Mrine nd costl X d) Dry nd subhumid lnd X e) Forest X f) Mountin X NOTs Trget 7 nd the Ntionl Biodiversity nd Climte Chnge Action Pln NOTs Trget 7 nd the Ntionl Biodiversity nd Climte Chnge Action Pln NOTs Trget 7 nd the Ntionl Biodiversity nd Climte Chnge Action Pln NOTs Trget 7 nd the Ntionl Biodiversity nd Climte Chnge Action Pln NOTs Trget 7 nd the Ntionl Biodiversity nd Climte Chnge Action Pln III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies 46

47 b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln X c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes Plese provide detils below. Ntionl objectives for climte chnge dpttion for biodiversity re in the process of being incorported into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes through process of lignment nd integrtion in existing progrms through the Climte Chnge Action Pln (see lso Climte Chnge impcts on Biodiversity in Austrli). The Ntionl Climte Chnge Adpttion Progrmme is $14.2 million progrmme tht ims to prepre Austrlin governments nd vulnerble industries nd communities for the unvoidble impcts of climte chnge. Key objectives of the four yer progrmme re to: dvise Government on policy issues relted to climte chnge impcts nd dpttion, including key risks to nd opportunities for Austrli build cpcity to support the development of effective nd trgeted dpttion strtegies engge stkeholders nd provide trgeted nd scle-relevnt informtion nd tools to industry sectors nd regions integrte climte chnge impcts nd dpttion considertions into key policies nd progrmmes, including into risk mngement prctices cross vulnerble sectors. (See lso Austrlin Greenhouse Office). IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. In 2007 implementtion of the Ntionl Climte Chnge ction pln ( Climte Chnge impcts on Biodiversity in Austrli) will be reviewed. The existing frmework for monitoring nd evlution for Nturl Resource Mngement plnning is being reviewed to ssist in this process. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. Indictors for monitoring the impct of climte chnge on biodiversity re currently under development. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. While there is growing consensus on the science of climte chnge nd the likely consequences t globl nd ntionl scles, there is still uncertinity of the timing nd nture of climte chnge t scles relevnt to sectorl decision-mking. Recognising this, there re benefits in treting climte chnge s risk fctor nd exploring opportunities to chieve multiple benefits through dpttion. VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. A number of Ministeril Councils, such s the Environmentl Protection nd Heritge Council nd the Nturl Resource Mngement Ministeril Council, re considering how climte chnge cn be incorported into their strtegies nd plns. In July 2005 the Austrlin Government relesed Climte Chnge Risk nd Vulnerbility: Promoting n efficient dpttion response in Austrli, report which tkes risk mngement pproch to identifying sectors nd regions tht might hve the highest priority for dpttion plnning. In the report, biodiversity is identified s highly vulnerble, requiring urgent ttention s nturl systems hve limited utonomous dptive cpcity, nd biodiversity hs significnt culturl, socil nd economic significnce. 47

48 Box XV. Trget 7.2 Reduce pollution nd its impcts on biodiversity I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? X b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished X Plese provide detils below. The Ntionl Pollutnt Inventory (NPI) is n internet dtbse tht provides users with informtion on the type nd mount of pollution emitted to the ir, lnd nd wter cross the country. The NPI provides pollutnt emission dt determined by fcilities like mnufcturing sites nd from other sources such s households nd trnsport. Fcility opertors determine their own emissions nd 'diffuse emissions' from households nd other sources re estimted by governments. The Ntionl Environment Protection Mesure for the NPI ws greed to in Februry 1998 ( nd the first yer of reporting ws The gols of the NPI re: mintennce nd improvement of mbient ir qulity; nd mbient mrine, esturine nd fresh wter qulity; minimistion of environmentl impcts ssocited with hzrdous wste; nd, expnsion in the re-use nd recycling of used mterils. Pollution control on the ground is the responsibility of stte nd territory environment gencies. The Austrlin (ntionl) government leds on mngement of ntionl legisltion; (e.g. Ozone Protection nd Synthetic Greenhouse Gs Mngement Act 1989 nd its Regultions, compiltion of dt nd reporting (NPI Stte of the Environment reporting), setting ntionl stndrds where pproprite (eg; ntionl fuel qulity stndrds) nd initition of ntionl eduction nd pollution reduction progrms (see Austrlin government inititives to reduce pollution). The Austrlin government, through the Austrlin Greenhouse Office lso mnges the Ntionl Greenhouse Gs Inventory, which compiles ntionl dt to estimte sources nd sinks of greenhouse gses. Inventory methods re continully reviewed nd updted to mintin the high qulity emissions estimtes nd trend nlyses underpinning Austrlin greenhouse policy. Crbon ccounting is crried out under the Ntionl Crbon Accounting System which provides ccounting for sources nd sinks of greenhouse gses ssocited with lnd use, lnd-use chnge, nd forestry in Austrli. Wter pollution is mnged through the Ntionl Wter Qulity Mngement Strtegy (NWQMS), which ws introduced by the Austrlin, Stte nd Territory Governments in 1992 s response to growing community concern bout the condition of the ntion's wter bodies nd the need to mnge them in n environmentlly sustinble wy (see In 1994 the NWQMS ws included in the Council of Austrlin Governments (COAG) Wter Reform Frmework. Monitoring guidelines nd wter qulity guidelines re integrl prts of the Strtegy. Wter qulity trgets re under development for inclusion in regionl plns in ccordnce with the Ntionl Action Pln for Slinity nd Wter Qulity (NAP) nd the extension of the Nturl Heritge Trust (NHT). Impcts of pollution on biodiversity re considered in ll spects of pollution monitoring, control nd mngement. II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been 48

49 estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl b) Inlnd wter X (see 7.2 (I) bove c) Mrine nd costl d) Dry nd subhumid lnd e) Forest f) Mountin III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes Plese provide detils below. IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. See Box II bove. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. Atmospheric pollution A key set of 60 environmentl indictors for the tmosphere is recommended for Austrlin stte of the environment reporting. Of these, 16 relte to climte vribility nd chnge, 9 to strtospheric ozone, 19 to urbn ir qulity, nd 16 to regionl ir qulity. A further 5 potentil key indictors for climte vribility nd chnge re lso identified. (see The Ntionl Environment Protection Council (NEPC) is sttutory body tht hs set greed uniform stndrds for mbient ir qulity see The Ntionl Pollutnt Inventory (NPI) is the only ntionwide, publicly ccessible inventory of pollutnt emissions. The NPI provides brod bse of informtion on pollutnt emissions for the community, government nd industry. NPI dt re often clculted rther thn mesured. Dt ccurcy vries ccording to the determintion technique used. (An overview of the sixth NPI reporting yer ( is t current to 31 Jnury 2005). Wter pollution A key set of 61 environmentl indictors for esturies nd the se is recommended for Austrlin stte of the environment reporting t the ntionl scle. Of these, 3 relte to cited species or tx, 9 to hbitt extent, 17 to hbitt qulity, 6 to renewble products, 2 to non-renewble resources, 5 to wter or sediment qulity, 17 to integrted mngement, nd 2 to ecosystem-level processes. Monitoring strtegies nd pproches to interpreting nd nlysing ech of the indictors re discussed, nd possible sources of dt re noted. Recommendtions re lso mde for further development of environmentl indictors for esturies nd the se. (see VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. 49

50 VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. 50

51 Box XVI. Gol 8 Trget 8.1 Mintin cpcity of ecosystems to deliver goods nd services nd support livelihoods. Cpcity of ecosystems to deliver goods nd services mintined I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished X NOTs, , Trgets 1-9 Plese provide detils below. II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl b) Inlnd wter c) Mrine nd costl d) Dry nd subhumid lnd e) Forest f) Mountin III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln X c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes X Plese provide detils below. See Trget 1.1 bove IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. See Box II bove V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. See Trget 1.1 (V) bove. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. 51

52 VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. Box XVII. Trget 8.2 Biologicl resources tht support sustinble livelihoods, locl food security nd helth cre, especilly of poor people mintined I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? X b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished Plese provide detils below. II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl b) Inlnd wter c) Mrine nd costl d) Dry nd subhumid lnd e) Forest f) Mountin III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? X b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes Plese provide detils below. IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. This trget in the Austrlin context would primrily relte to trditionl use of biodiversity by indigenous peoples. Indigenous communities work coopertively with the Austrlin nd stte/territory governments to ensure sustinbility is mintined, for exmple greement on socil context nd numbers for tke of certin mrine species such s mrine turtle nd dugong. The trend is generlly stble in both mrine nd terrestril environments lthough more reserch on, 52

53 for exmple, use of fire in tropicl svnnhs s food production tool, my be required. Further reserch might lso be required to scertin the sustinbility of terrestril wild hrvest products hrvested by indigenous peoples (e.g.; wild fruits, nuts nd seed hrvested for food nd therpeutic uses). Some erly work hs been undertken by the Desert Knowledge Coopertive Reserch Centre (CRC). Also see prticulrly projects nd V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. Box XVIII. Gol 9 Trget 9.1 Mintin socio-culturl diversity of indigenous nd locl communities. Protect trditionl knowledge, innovtions nd prctices I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished X Plese provide detils below. Ntionl trget No 8. Mintin nd record ethnobiologicl knowledge in Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl X b) Inlnd wter X c) Mrine nd costl X d) Dry nd subhumid lnd X e) Forest X f) Mountin X III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd 53

54 strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln X c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes Plese provide detils below. Recognition of indigenous knowledge of biodiversity cn be found in the principles, objectives nd trgets of the Ntionl Strtegy for the Conservtion of Austrli s Biologicl Diversity. About 13% of Austrli s forest re is under Indigenous ownership. The Ntionl Indigenous Forest Strtegy provides opportunities for trditionl knowledge, prctices nd innovtions. IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. Indigenous knowledge workshops nd projects re being undertken through the Nturl Heritge Trust. Indigenous communities cross the ntion re working in prtnership with ntionl nd stte governments nd with the regionl community to ddress these issues. Lessons lernt from the different pproches to involving Indigenous people in regionl delivery hve been distilled s guidelines for Indigenous prticiption in nturl resource mngement. See prt V below. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. Indictors re included in ntionl trget 8. Mintin nd record ethnobiologicl knowledge in Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion Indictor 6.5c, 6.5d nd 6.6 in Austrli s Stte of the Forests Report (2003) provides informtion on sttus nd trends. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. A VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. See prt IV bove 54

55 Box XIX. Trget 9.2 Protect the rights of indigenous nd locl communities over their trditionl knowledge, innovtions nd prctices, including their rights to benefit shring I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished X Plese provide detils below. Objective of the Ntionl Strtegy for the Conservtion of Austrli s Biologicl Diversity sets Ntionl direction for the use nd benefits of trditionl biologicl knowledge nd is key component of the intergovernmentl greement: the Ntionlly Consistent Approch for Access to nd Utilistion of Austrli s Ntive Genetic nd Biochemicl Resources (NCA) which ll 9 Austrlin governments greed to on 11 October 2002 ( see section on Article 15 for more informtion. II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl b) Inlnd wter c) Mrine nd costl d) Dry nd subhumid lnd e) Forest See Trget 9.1 f) Mountin III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes Plese provide detils below. IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. 55

56 VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. Box XX. Gol 10 Trget 10.1 Ensure the fir nd equitble shring of benefits rising out of the use of genetic resources. All trnsfers of genetic resources re in line with the Convention on Biologicl Diversity, the Interntionl Trety on Plnt Genetic Resources for Food nd Agriculture nd other pplicble greements I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished X Plese provide detils below. The Austrlin pproch is outlined in the intergovernmentl greement: the Ntionlly Consistent Approch for Access to nd Utilistion of Austrli s Ntive Genetic nd Biochemicl Resources (NCA) which ll 9 Austrlin governments greed to on 11 October 2002 ( see section on Article 15 for more informtion. II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl b) Inlnd wter c) Mrine nd costl d) Dry nd subhumid lnd e) Forest f) Mountin III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes Plese provide detils below. IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. 56

57 VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. Box XXI. Trget 10.2 Benefits rising from the commercil nd other utiliztion of genetic resources shred with the countries providing such resources I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? X b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished Plese provide detils below. Austrlin commercil lw requires complince with contrctul greements which could include provisions to chieve this trget. II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl b) Inlnd wter c) Mrine nd costl d) Dry nd subhumid lnd e) Forest f) Mountin III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes Plese provide detils below. IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. 57

58 V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. 58

59 Box XXII. Gol 11 Trget 11.1 Prties hve improved finncil, humn, scientific, technicl nd technologicl cpcity to implement the Convention. New nd dditionl finncil resources re trnsferred to developing country Prties, to llow for the effective implementtion of their commitments under the Convention, in ccordnce with Article 20 I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? X b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished Plese provide detils below. II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl b) Inlnd wter c) Mrine nd costl d) Dry nd subhumid lnd e) Forest f) Mountin III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes Plese provide detils below. IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. Under Austrli s Pcific Governnce Support Progrmme, dditionl finncil resources of AUD$405,089 over hve been provided to the Austrlin Government Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge to ssist ll Pcific Islnd Countries tht re prties to the CBD. The ctivity ims to improve environmentl governnce issues, identified s limiting Pcific Islnd Countries bility to find solutions to key environmentl problems. The ssistnce will ssist Pcific 59

60 Islnd Country Prties to the CBD to identify their ntionl priorities nd cpcity development needs under the themes of biodiversity, climte chnge nd deforesttion/lnd degrdtion. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. Box XXIII. Trget 11.2 Technology is trnsferred to developing country Prties, to llow for the effective implementtion of their commitments under the Convention, in ccordnce with its Article 20, prgrph 4 I) Ntionl trget: Hs ntionl trget been estblished corresponding to the globl trget bove? X b) Yes, the sme s the globl trget c) Yes, one or more specific ntionl trgets hve been estblished Plese provide detils below. II) Ntionl trgets for specific progrmmes of work: If such ntionl trget(s) h(s)(ve) been estblished, plese indicte here, nd give further detils in the box(es). Progrmme of work Yes No Detils ) Agriculturl b) Inlnd wter c) Mrine nd costl d) Dry nd subhumid lnd e) Forest f) Mountin III) Hs the globl or ntionl trget been incorported into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? b) Yes, into ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln c) Yes, into sectorl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes Plese provide detils below. 60

61 Austrli is currently reviewing nd up-dting its Clering-House Mechnism (CHM) on Biodiversity in ccordnce with the Convention on Biologicl Diversity (CBD). The up-dted CHM will be detiled interctive instrument, providing ccess to wide rnge of Austrlin government nd nongovernment gencies, s well s reserch institutions nd industry orgnistions involved with environmentl mngement. IV) Plese provide informtion on current sttus nd trends in reltion to this trget. V) Plese provide informtion on indictors used in reltion to this trget. VI) Plese provide informtion on chllenges in implementtion of this trget. Austrli is working with Pcific Islnd sttes to overcome chllenges in trnsferring CBD relted technicl ssistnce. Such chllenges include governnce, cpcity, resource, nd logisticl issues, nd collection nd integrtion of biodiversity informtion nd dt. The integrtion of the environment nd sustinble development into broder economic plnning of Pcific ntionl governments nd regionl inter-governmentl orgnistions is focus for enhnced Austrlin regionl coopertion. VII) Plese provide ny other relevnt informtion. The Austrlin Government, through the Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge is trnsferring environmentl governnce nd technicl ssistnce to Pcific Islnd Countries, in prtnership with the Pcific Regionl Environment Progrmme (SPREP), the United Ntions University (UNU) nd the United Ntions Development Progrmme (UNDP). This is initilly to ssist Pcific Islnd Countries undertke their GEF-funded Ntionl Cpcity Self-Assessments (NCSAs). The ssistnce is funded under Austrli s Pcific Governnce Support Progrmme. The progrm nticiptes incresed donor coordintion nd hrmoniztion, nd will be strtegiclly integrted with broder governnce, institutionl strengthening nd cpcity building ctivities to enble Pcific Islnd Countries to more effectively utilise CBD relted technology trnsfer. Pcific Islnd Countries re expected to complete their NCSAs in Ppu New Guine The Austrlin Government (Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge) hs n ongoing Bilterl Coopertion Progrm with Ppu New Guine (PNG), which ims to strengthen PNG s Deprtment of Environment nd Conservtion (DEC) nd improve environmentl governnce in PNG. Austrli hs trnsferred technology to PNG to ssist the PNG Government to meet CBD commitments. For exmple, Austrli hs ssisted PNG to: undertke ntionl ssessment of the conservtion sttus of forest ecosystems updte protected re register nd digitl dtbse develop ntionl species ssessment dtbse nd mpping tool Austrli is now ssisting PNG to undertke integrted forestry nd biodiversity regionl ssessments. 61

62 Globl Strtegy for Plnt Conservtion (GSPC) The Conference of the Prties, in decision VI/9, nnex, dopted the Globl Strtegy for Plnt Conservtion. Prties nd Governments re invited to develop their own trgets with this flexible frmework. The Conference of the Prties considered the Strtegy s pilot pproch for the use of outcome oriented trgets under the Convention. In decision VII/10, the Conference of the Prties decided to integrte the trgets into the reporting frmework for the Third Ntionl Reports. Plese provide relevnt informtion by responding to the questions nd requests contined in the following tbles. Box XXIV. Trget 1. A widely ccessible working list of known plnt species, s step towrds complete world flor. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes X b) No Plese specify The Flor of Austrli series ims to provide uniform description of the plnts of Austrli, with identifiction keys, illustrtions of most gener nd mny species nd distribution mps of ll tx. It documents the fmilies, gener, nd species of flowering plnts, conifers, ferns, mosses, liverworts nd lichens of Austrli nd its ocenic islnds. Ech volume summrises the current knowledge of 200 to over 600 species, providing descriptions of tx t ll rnks. Vluble keys id identifiction of fmilies, gener, species nd infr-species. For ech species, there re full Austrlin synonymies, long with distribution mps, bibliogrphic informtion, nd notes ecology nd vrition. The volumes re richly illustrted in both colour nd blck-ndwhite. The ltest volume in the series (No 44 B) covers the subfmilies Arundinoidee, Dnthonoidee, Aristidoidee, Micriroidee nd Choridoidee. It describes mixture of tropicl nd temperte grsses nd includes number of economiclly nd environmentlly importnt groups. This lndmrk project will eventully comprise more thn 60 volumes covering lmost 30,000 species, systemticlly rrnged by fmily. (see Austrlin Biologicl Resources Study). There is lso Flor of Austrli online website. The informtion on the website ws first published in the Flor of Austrli series. There re three seprte sets of dt for the Flor of Austrli nd ech is ccessed by seprte serch interfce. These re: Flor of Austrli online Flor of Austrli online dt covers the six Austrlin Sttes, the Northern Territory, the Austrlin Cpitl Territory nd immedite offshore islnds. The dt, when complete, will derive from Flor of Austrli Volumes 2 to 48 nd 51 onwrds. Flor of Austrli online: Norfolk nd Lord Howe Islnds Flor of Austrli online (Norfolk nd Lord Howe Islnds) covers ssocited islets of the Admirlty Group, Blls Pyrmid, Blckburn (Rbbit) Islnd, Lord Howe Islnd, Mutton Bird Islnd, Nepen Islnd, Norfolk Islnd nd Philip Islnd. The informtion ws originlly published in Flor of Austrli Volume 49. Flor of Austrli online: Ocenic Islnds excluding bove covers Ashmore Reef, Crtier Islnd, Christms Islnd, Cocos (Keeling) Islnds, Corl Se Islnds 62

63 Territory, Herd Islnd, Mcqurie Islnd nd McDonld Islnd. The informtion ws originlly published in Flor of Austrli Volume 50. II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes X b) No Plese specify NOTs Trget 9 (Knowledge nd Access to Informtion). For exmple, priorities for biodiversity reserch identified (to 2005). All jurisdictions of government re identifying nd mpping biogeogrphiclly importnt popultions of flor nd fun, including criticl hbitt, centres of endemism nd refugi. Scientific collections hve been progressively conserved nd ugmented nd networked nd distributed. A system of dtbses on the importnt components of biodiversity re under development. III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) See Box II nd Box XXIV (II) bove IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) Coopertion between jurisdictions of government, ntionl nd sub ntionl herbri, museums nd other scientific collection bodies. V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) Performnce informtion mesures greed in Progress progressively mesured nd will be mesured nd ssessed overll s the NOTs re reviewed beginning in lte VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget VII) Any other relevnt informtion Box XXV. Trget 2. A preliminry ssessment of the conservtion sttus of ll known plnt species, t ntionl, regionl nd interntionl levels. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes X b) No Plese specify NOTs Trget 9 (Knowledge nd Access to Informtion) (see bove). 63

64 The Flor of Austrli series ims to provide uniform description of the plnts of Austrli, with identifiction keys, illustrtions of most gener nd mny species nd distribution mps of ll tx, but it is not designed to include the conservtion sttus of ech plnt described. Conservtion sessments hve been crried out primrily in reltion to rre or thretened plnts nd those listed under the EPBC Act for recovery ction. At the ntionl level, there re 61 plnts species listed s extinct, 54 s criticlly endngered, 504 s endngered nd 672 s vulnerble. Additionlly, stte (provincil) bodies lso identify the conservtion sttus of the species within prticulr region. Through the Austrlin Plnt Census (see previous Box, Trget 1 (I)), Austrli hs resolved the txonomy nd nomenclture of ll Austrlin plnt species listed under the EPBC Act s rre or thretened species. II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes X b) No Plese specify See GSPC Trget 1 (bove) III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) See Box II nd GSPC Trget 1 bove IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) See GSPC Trget 1 (bove) V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) See GSPC Trget 1 (bove) VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget VII) Any other relevnt informtion 64

65 Box XXVI. Trget 3. Development of models with protocols for plnt conservtion nd sustinble use, bsed on reserch nd prcticl experience. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes X b) No Plese specify The Environment Protection nd Biodiversity Conservtion Act 1999 (EPBC Act) provides for the mking of recovery plns nd thret btement plns (Division 5). Recovery plns for listed thretened species nd ecologicl communities nd thret btement plns for key thretening processes bind the Commonwelth nd Commonwelth gencies. The Minister must ensure tht recovery pln is in force for ech listed thretened species nd ecologicl community. The Minister need ensure thret btement pln is in force for key thretening process only if the Minister decides tht pln is fesible, effective nd efficient wy of bting the process. The Minister must consult before mking such decision. A recovery pln or thret btement pln cn be mde by the Minister lone or jointly with relevnt Sttes nd Territories, or the Minister cn dopt Stte or Territory pln. There must be public consulttion nd dvice from the Scientific Committee bout the pln, regrdless of how it is mde or dopted. II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes X b) No Plese specify During the Minister for the Environment nd Heritge mde or dopted 61 recovery plns covering 91 terrestril species nd one ecologicl community. A recovery pln for 25 thretened orchids of Victori, South Austrli nd New South Wles ws dopted, s well s plns for 32 Western Austrlin flor species. A regionl pilot project for the south cost region of Western Austrli commenced. The project is testing the fesibility nd effectiveness of developing thretened species recovery plns t the regionl scle. A key element is to promote incresed integrtion of lndscpescle thret btement ctivities with species recovery. The project will lso tril incorporting climte chnge considertions into regionl recovery nd thret btement plnning. Regionl recovery plns for the Mount Lofty Rnges region of South Austrli nd for Norfolk Islnd were lso begun. In ddition to this work being undertken by the Austrlin Government, there re other ctivities being undertken t ntionl level by expert groups such s the ANPC which hs published Vllee, L., et l, Guidelines for the Trnsloction of Thretened Plnts in Austrli (2 nd Edition), Austrlin Network for Plnt Conservtion, For further detils bout this network see 65

66 Another project coordinted by Greening Austrli clled Florbnk ims to improve the vilbility nd qulity of ntive seed for revegettion nd conservtion purposes in Austrli, so tht people re better informed nd ble to collect, store nd use ntive seed efficiently nd responsibly. Florbnk ws funded by the Bushcre progrm of the Commonwelth's Nturl Heritge Trust, nd is collbortion between Greening Austrli, CSIRO Forestry nd Forest Products through the Austrlin Tree Seed Centre, nd the Austrlin Ntionl Botnic Grdens (see ) III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) Work in progress IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) EPBC Act (see detils bove) V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) Not documented VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget The min constrint is the time nd cost involved in developing detiled mngement plns for ll listed species, s well s identifying relevnt experts to prepre the plns. VII) Any other relevnt informtion Box XXVII. Trget 4. At lest ten percent of ech of the world s ecologicl regions effectively conserved. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes X (See Trget 1.1 (I) nd I.2 bove) b) No Plese specify See under Trget 1.2 (Protected Ares) nd Trget 1.1 (I) bove II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes b) No Plese specify 66

67 Directions for the Ntionl Reserve System A Prtnership Approch (see Trget 1.1 (I) nd 1.2 bove) III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) See Box II bove. See Trget 1.1 nd 1.2 bove. The Austrlin Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge monitors the development of the ntionl reserve system through the Collbortive Austrlin Protected Are Dtbse (CAPAD) nd the Interim Biogeogrphic Regionlistion for Austrli (IBRA). These dt re published every two yers (see nd reported on in Austrli s Stte of the Environment (SoE) reporting process Stte of the Environment Home Pge. IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) See Trgets 1.1 nd 1.2 bove. VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget See Trgets 1.1 nd 1.2 bove VII) Any other relevnt informtion Box XXVIII. Trget 5. Protection of fifty percent of the most importnt res for plnt diversity ssured. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes b) No X Plese specify Trget 1 of the NOTs (Ntive Vegettion And Terrestril Ecosystems) specifies tht by 2005 representtive smple of ech Austrlin bio-region is to be protected within the Ntionl Reserve System (NRS) or network of Indigenous Protected Ares, or s privte lnd mnged for conservtion under conservtion greement (see lso Trget 1.1 (I) bove). Percentge figures re not used in construction of trgets. II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes b) No X Plese specify See GSPC Trget 5 (I) bove. Refer to the NOTs nd Ntionl Strtegy for Biodiversity Conservtion (Trget 1.1 (I) bove) 67

68 III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) See Box II nd GSPC Trget 4(III) bove. IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) The most importnt res for plnt diversity re generlly protected within conservtion reserves. However, the Ntionl Frmework for the Mngement And Monitoring Of Austrli's Ntive Vegettion (2001) (see Ntionl frmework of ntive vegettion) cknowledges, nd represents n effort to reverse the long-term generl decline in the qulity nd extent of Austrli's ntive vegettion cover. Some of the most importnt vegettion remnnts remin on privte lnd. Purchses of privte lnd for conservtion, under the Ntionl Reserve System (NRS) is n importnt mesure but entry into voluntry conservtion covennts on privte lnd is incresingly encourged in Austrli nd is becoming n importnt vehicle for conservtion of importnt nd under represented res for biodiversity conservtion. Txtion concessions re vilble s n incentive for lndowners considering entering into covennts nd giving gifts of property for conservtion purposes. A number of revolving funds hve lso been estblished to protect high vlue hbitt on privte lnd. These funds operte by buying lnd nd plcing conservtion covennt on the title before onselling. This ensures its permnent protection. Incentives re provided to secure conservtion nd mngement of sites tht contin individul species or ecologicl communities tht re of high conservtion vlue. Sites re trgeted through scientific ssessment nd must meet the criteri for chieving specified conservtion objectives, for exmple gps in the public reserve system. Lrger incentives my be offered to protect sites of ntionl or stte significnce. Exmples include progrm to protect CAR vlues on privte lnd in the Tsmnin Regionl Forest Agreement nd protection of Grssy Euclyptus White Box Woodlnds on privte lnd in NSW through collbortion between the NSW Ntionl Prks nd Wildlife Service nd the orgnistion, Community Solutions (see Grssy White Box Woodlnds) V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) See Trget 5 (I) bove. Refer to the NOTs nd Ntionl Strtegy for Biodiversity Conservtion (Trget 1.1 (I) nd 1.2 bove). The re of terrestril protected re hs incresed from million hectres or 10.08% of totl lnd re in 2002 to 10.52% (80.89 million hectres) in The re conserved by covennts over privte lnd lso continues to stedily increse (from lmost 81,000 hectres in to more thn 239, 000 hectres in ). VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget Avilbility of suitble privte or lesehold lnd for cquisition or covennt to meet biodiversity conservtion objectives. VII) Any other relevnt informtion 68

69 69

70 Box XXIX. Trget 6. At lest thirty percent of production lnds mnged consistent with the conservtion of plnt diversity. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes b) No X Plese specify II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes b) No Plese specify III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget VII) Any other relevnt informtion pdf. 70

71 Box XXX. Trget 7. Sixty percent of the world s thretened species conserved In-situ. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes b) No Plese specify See Trget 2.1 bove II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes b) No Plese specify III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) See Box II, Trget 1.1 nd 1.2 nd GSPC Trget 4 (III) bove. IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) See GSPC Trget 5(I) bove. V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) See Trget 1.1 nd 1.2 bove. VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget VII) Any other relevnt informtion 71

72 Box XXXI. Trget 8. Sixty percent of thretened plnt species in ccessible Ex-situ collections, preferbly in the country of origin, nd 10 percent of them included in recovery nd restortion progrmmes. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes b) No X (see below) Plese specify There is no ntionl trget. However, CSIRO Plnt Industry nd the Director of Ntionl Prks (Dept of Environment & Heritge), through the Austrlin Ntionl Botnic Grdens, lunched new joint venture in the 1990s, the Centre for Plnt Biodiversity Reserch. This collbortion embrces: bringing together of the wide-rnging skills, expertise nd resources of both orgnistions, to llow new scope for scientific reserch on biodiversity tht provides bsis for conservtion, mngement nd sustinble use of the Austrlin flor. the mlgmtion of the plnt specimen collections of the CSIRO nd the Austrlin Ntionl Botnic Grdens into consolidted Austrlin Ntionl Herbrium, thus constructing permnent record of Austrlin plnt biodiversity. incresed ccessibility to informtion on Austrlin vegettion nd plnt resources for reserch, environmentl mngement nd public use. A mjor function of the Centre is to document the biologicl diversity of the Austrlin environment through estblishing the txonomic identity nd reltionships of ntive plnts, their geogrphicl distribution, nd their ecologicl reltionships. These studies primrily concentrte on significnt ntionl plnt groups such s euclypts, orchids, grsses, grevilles, mosses, rinforest lurels nd the citrus fmily. The Centre hs developed computer-bsed interctive systems for identifying rinforest trees nd euclypts. Austrli's Genetic Resources Becuse of their dpttion to locl conditions nd their integrtion into Austrli s nturl ecosystems, Austrlin ntive plnts form vluble source of genes tht could be utilised to improve griculturl nd industril productivity. Species of the Austrlin genus Glycine contins lef rust resistnce genes tht my be used to protect soyben crops, while the ntive Gossypium species re being tested to improve pest resistnce in commercil cotton vrieties. The Centre mintins close reltionship with the Austrlin Ntionl Botnic Grdens whose living collections comprise lmost one-third of the Austrlin flor. This welth of genetic mteril is vilble for reserch s well s for disply. Conservtion Biology The mintennce nd recovery of rre nd thretened species is significnt element of the Centre's work, s its fcilities provide ntionl focus for documenting, growing nd protecting endngered ntive plnts. The Centre hs drwn on its extensive resources in producing new edition of Rre or Thretened Austrlin Plnts (see GSPC Trget 2 (bove). 72

73 Conservtion biology reltes not only to rre species, but lso to n understnding of the ecology nd the dynmics of lrger ecosystems. Reserch on the effects of fire, disese nd frgmenttion on the Austrlin environment, crried out by the Centre, is vitl in the development of strtegies for integrted lnd use nd revegettion projects. The Austrlin Ntionl Herbrium The cornerstone of botnicl reserch for the Centre for Plnt Biodiversity Reserch is the Austrlin Ntionl Herbrium which houses collection of 1.3 million plnt specimens, documenting the diversity of the Austrlin flor. With specimens dting bck to Cptin Jmes Cook's 1770 expedition, the Herbrium's comprehensive collections llow for the relible identifiction of plnts originting from field studies nd the extrction of ecologicl dt. The Herbrium houses specilist collections of world importnce, including: the world's most comprehensive euclypt collection; n extensive collection of the flor of northern Austrli nd New Guine; Austrli's lrgest collection of mosses, lichens nd liverworts; specilist tropicl rin forest collection housed in north Queenslnd. The Herbrium is lso vluble source of dt for mpping pst nd present vegettion distribution, reveling vritions due to chnges in climte nd lnduse ptterns, nd provision of public services such s plnt identifiction. Its collections lso function s reference bsis for the Flor of Austrli project. The Herbrium is locted t three sites. The flowering plnts collection is held t the CSIRO herbrium djcent to the Austrlin Ntionl Botnic Grdens in Cnberr, the cryptogm (including ferns) nd gymnosperm collections re held in the herbrium within the Ntionl Botnic Grdens complex nd third collection concentrting on rinforest species is held t the Atherton Herbrium Annex in north Queenslnd. Botnicl Informtion Mngement The Centre for Plnt Biodiversity Reserch provides ntionl focus for botnicl dt. The Centre is lso responsible for the coordintion nd mintennce of importnt ntionl botnicl dtbses including the Austrlin Plnt Nme Index, Rre or Thretened Austrlin Plnts (ROTAP), nd the Economic Plnts of Austrli. To mke complex biologicl informtion more ccessible the Centre is estblishing common stndrds nd conventions for botnicl dtbses, such s through ntionl collbortive project on ll Austrlin Euclyptus specimens nd survey records. II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes b) No X Plese specify 73

74 IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget VII) Any other relevnt informtion 74

75 Box XXXII. Trget 9. Seventy percent of the genetic diversity of crops nd other mjor socioeconomiclly vluble plnt species conserved, nd ssocited indigenous nd locl knowledge mintined. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes X - NOTs Trget 8: (Ethnobiologicl Knowledge) b) No Plese specify See GSPC Trget 8.1 bove nd prticulrly Projects nd 4.101) II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes X b) No Plese specify III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget VII) Any other relevnt informtion 75

76 Box XXXIII. Trget 10. Mngement plns in plce for t lest 100 mjor lien species tht threten plnts, plnt communities nd ssocited hbitts nd ecosystems. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes b) No X Plese specify See lso Trget 6.1 bove. Invsive species hve hd devstting effects on some of Austrli s ntive plnts. Weeds cn out-compete ntive species or stop them recovering fter clering, fire, hevy grzing or other disturbnces. Pest nimls, such s ferl pigs nd gots, cuse soil erosion nd trmple ntive vegettion. Phytophthor fungus lso thretens the survivl of mny Austrlin plnt species. (See However, Austrli hs identified, nd hs developed rigorous mngement strtegy for 20 invsive plnts of ntionl significnce (WONs). Weeds on this list re significnt for the environment nd biodiversity or griculture, or both. About hlf of this number re especilly significnt for the environment nd the other hlf re especilly significnt for griculture but cler distinction is not mde becuse mny of these weeds hve deleterious impct on both the environment nd griculture. Efforts re underwy to comprehensively mp weeds of ntionl significnce (see for exmple; pdf. The WONs hve been listed fter scientificlly rigorous process of ssessment nd consulttion. Detils of the ssessments cn be found on the Weeds Austrli website. In ddition, there re 28 weeds on the Alert list of ntionl environmentl weeds (these re species tht re significnt concern to both environment nd biodiversity conservtion nd griculture). These weed species hve not yet hd significnt ntionl impct in Austrli becuse their occurrence is geogrphiclly limited t present. However, they re being crefully wtched becuse they re considered high potentil thret. These weeds hve not yet been subject to the thorough ssessment process pplied to the 20 WONs. To ddress the significnt environmentl, economic, nd socil impcts tht re cused by invsive vertebrte species, governments within Austrli re currently developing ntionl strtegy, similr to the Ntionl Weeds Strtegy, for the mngement of these species. It is intended the strtegy will identify prevention, detection, intervention, erdiction, nd control processes required for invsive vertebrte species. The EPBC Act provides for the identifiction nd listing of key thretening processes. II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes b) No X 76

77 Plese specify While mngement strtegies do not exist for the 100 min lien species ffecting plnt biodiversity, thret btement plns re in preprtion or hve been prepred for listed key thretening processes where it is determined tht such plns re fesible, effective nd efficient wy to bte thretening process. III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) Ech thret btement pln contins ntionl objectives for review within 5 yers. Ntionl objectives, where pplicble regions, re incorported in regionl nturl resource mngement plns. The Austrlin Government works with the stte nd territory (provincil) Governments to improve strtegies to restrict the spred of weeds. All Governments greed in 1997, through the Ntionl Weeds Strtegy, to estblish effective procedures for restricting the spred of new weeds in Austrli including controls on nursery plnt nd seed sles. The Austrlin Government hs implemented review of the permitted seeds list under Schedule 5 of the Qurntine Proclmtion Act This review ims to ensure tht known exotic weedy species re not permitted into the country, consistent with Austrli s World Trde Orgnistion obligtions. V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) A number of thret btement plns hve been estblished to ddress specific species tht pose thret to biodiversity. An overrching ntionl strtegy for weeds hs been estblished, nd similr strtegy is under development for vertebrte species tht will ddress the most significnt threts. Indictors on the impct of environmentl weeds on thretened species re under development. VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget VII) Any other relevnt informtion 77

78 Box XXXIV. Trget 11. No species of wild flor endngered by interntionl trde. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes A Austrlin trde regulted by dint of CITES prty sttus b) No Plese specify See Trget 4.1 bove. The interntionl movement of wildlife nd wildlife products for commercil purposes is regulted under the EPBC Act, consistent with obligtions rising s CITES contrcting Prty. Commercil Imports of Live Plnts nd Animls The EPBC Act provides for the identifiction nd listing of non-ntive plnts nd nimls tht my be suitble for importing s live specimens. The list is divided into two prts unregulted species tht my be imported without permit nd regulted species tht my be imported subject to certin conditions nd the issunce of permit. II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? A ) Yes A b) No Plese specify III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) A IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) A V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) A VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget A VII) Any other relevnt informtion 78

79 79

80 Box XXXV. Trget 12. Thirty percent of plnt-bsed products derived from sources tht re sustinbly mnged. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes b) No Plese specify II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes b) No Plese specify III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget VII) Any other relevnt informtion 80

81 Box XXXVI. Trget 13. The decline of plnt resources, nd ssocited indigenous nd locl knowledge, innovtions nd prctices tht support sustinble livelihoods, locl food security nd helth cre, hlted. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes X b) No Plese specify Ntionl trget to 8. Mintin nd record ethnobiologicl knowledge in Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes X b) No Plese specify Recognition of indigenous knowledge of biodiversity is written into the principles, objectives nd trgets of the Ntionl Strtegy for the Conservtion of Austrli s Biologicl Diversity. III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) Indigenous knowledge workshops nd projects re being undertken through the Nturl Heritge Trust IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) See III bove. V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) Progress underwy. Indictors re included in ntionl trget 8. Mintin nd record ethnobiologicl knowledge in Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget VII) Any other relevnt informtion 81

82 Box XXXVII. Trget 14. The importnce of plnt diversity nd the need for its conservtion incorported into communiction, eductionl nd public-wreness progrmmes. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes b) No X Plese specify II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes b) No X Plese specify III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) Austrli hs comprehensive network of botnicl grdens, gols nd objectives of which re coordinted nd represented through the Council of Heds of Austrlin Botnic Grdens (see Most Austrlin botnicl grdens, including smller regionl grdens (see, for exmple hve ctive eduction nd community wreness progrms. See lso V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget VII) Any other relevnt informtion 82

83 Box XXXVIII. Trget 15. The number of trined people working with pproprite fcilities in plnt conservtion incresed, ccording to ntionl needs, to chieve the trgets of this Strtegy. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes b) No Plese specify II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes b) No Plese specify III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget VII) Any other relevnt informtion 83

84 Box XXXIX. Trget 16. Networks for plnt conservtion ctivities estblished or strengthened t ntionl, regionl nd interntionl levels. I) Hs your country estblished ntionl trget corresponding to the bove globl trget? ) Yes b) No X Plese specify II) Hs your country incorported the bove globl or ntionl trget into relevnt plns, progrmmes nd strtegies? ) Yes b) No X Plese specify III) Current sttus (plese indicte current sttus relted to this trget) The Austrlin Network for Plnt Conservtion (ANPC) exists to keep Austrlins with botnicl interests in touch with plnt conservtion ctivities, informtion, news, nd contcts in Austrli nd interntionlly (see IV) Mesures tken to chieve trget (plese indicte ctivities, legisltive mesures nd other steps tken with view to chieve the trget) V) Progress mde towrds trget (plese specify indictors used to monitor progress towrds the trget) VI) Constrints to chieving progress towrds the trget VII) Any other relevnt informtion 84

85 Box XL. Plese elborte below on the implementtion of this strtegy specificlly focusing on: ) outcomes nd impcts of ctions tken; b) contribution to the chievement of the gols of the Strtegic Pln of the Convention; c) contribution to progress towrds the 2010 trget; d) progress in implementing ntionl biodiversity strtegies nd ction plns; e) contribution to the chievement of the Millennium Development Gols; f) constrints encountered in implementtion. 85

86 Ecosystem Approch The ecosystem pproch is strtegy for the integrted mngement of lnd, wter nd living resources tht promotes conservtion nd sustinble use in n equitble wy. Appliction of the ecosystem pproch will help to rech blnce of the three objectives of the Convention. At its second meeting, the Conference of the Prties hs ffirmed tht the ecosystem pproch is the primry frmework for ction under the Convention (decision II/8). The Conference of the Prties, t its fifth meeting, endorsed the description of the ecosystem pproch nd opertionl guidnce nd recommended the ppliction of the principles nd other guidnce on the ecosystem pproch. The seventh meeting of the Conference of the Prties greed tht the priority t this time should be fcilitting implementtion of the ecosystem pproch. Plese provide relevnt informtion by responding to the following questions. 3.? 3 Is your country pplying the ecosystem pproch, tking into ccount the principles nd guidnce contined in the nnex to decision V/6? (Decision V/6) b) No, but ppliction is under considertion c) Yes, some spects re being pplied X d) Yes, substntilly implemented 4.? Is your country developing prcticl expressions of the ecosystem pproch for ntionl policies nd legisltion nd for implementtion ctivities, with dpttion to locl, ntionl, nd regionl conditions? (Decision V/6) b) No, but development is under considertion c) Yes, prcticl expressions hve been developed for pplying some principles of the ecosystem pproch X d) Yes, prcticl expressions hve been developed for pplying most principles of the ecosystem pproch 5. Is your country strengthening cpcities for the ppliction of the ecosystem pproch, nd providing technicl nd finncil support for cpcity-building to pply the ecosystem pproch? (Decision V/6) b) Yes, within the country X c) Yes, including providing support to other Prties 3 Plese note tht ll the questions mrked with? hve been previously covered in the second ntionl reports nd some themtic reports. 86

87 6.? Hs your country promoted regionl coopertion in pplying the ecosystem pproch cross ntionl borders? (Decision V/6) b) Yes, informl coopertion (plese provide detils below) X c) Yes, forml coopertion (plese provide detils below) X Further comments on regionl coopertion in pplying the ecosystem pproch cross ntionl borders. Pcific The Austrlin Government Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge is ssisting Pcific Islnd Countries to better meet their obligtions under the CBD nd relted Multilterl Environment Agreements (MEAs). Through support for Pcific Islnd Countries, Austrli is ctively promoting the ecosystem pproch s primry frmework for policy development nd ction under the CBD to ddress both ntionl nd regionl biodiversity issues in the Pcific. Appliction of the ecosystem pproch in the Pcific, by definition, ddresses biodiversity cross ntionl borders; wherever possible Pcific inter-governmentl coopertion to ddress CBD themtic issues is endorsed. Austrli s prtnership with the South Pcific Regionl Environment Progrmme (SPREP) is further strengthening the ppliction of the ecosystem pproch s policy pproch nd frmework for ction cross ntionl terrestril nd mrine borders in the Pcific. Austrli hs contributed to Ntionl Cpcity Self-Assessment (NCSA) sub-regionl workshops in the Pcific (Polynesi nd Melnesi) nd prepred CBD cse study supporting mterils tht ctively promote the ecosystem pproch in the Pcific region. Ppu New Guine Austrli hs promoted the ecosystem pproch in its work with Ppu New Guine (PNG) in developing: bioregions mp to be used s regionl frmework for biodiversity ssessments ntionl ssessment of the conservtion sttus of forest ecosystems. The ssessment uses PNG vegettion nd lnd use dt, nd nlyses forest ecosystem chnge to dte, s well s potentil chnge into the future. 7. Is your country fcilitting the exchnge of experiences, cpcity building, technology trnsfer nd wreness rising to ssist with the implementtion of the ecosystem pproch? (Decisions VI/12 nd VII/11) b) No, some progrmmes re under development c) Yes, some progrmmes re being implemented (plese provide detils below) X d) Yes, comprehensive progrmmes re being implemented (plese provide detils below) Further comments on fcilitting the exchnge of experiences, cpcity building, technology trnsfer nd wreness rising to ssist with the implementtion of the ecosystem pproch. See question 4 nd 6 bove 1. Rmsr Asi-Oceni Assistnt Advisor 2. WI-O trining in the Oceni region Smo Workshop. Regionl Coopertion on 87

88 wetlnds nd wetlnd mngement. 8. Is your country creting n enbling environment for the implementtion of the ecosystem pproch, including through development of pproprite institutionl frmeworks? (Decision VII/11) b) No, but relevnt policies nd progrmmes re under development c) Yes, some policies nd progrmmes re in plce (plese provide detils below) d) Yes, comprehensive policies nd progrmmes re in plce (plese provide detils below) X Further comments on the cretion of n enbling environment for the implementtion of the ecosystem pproch. Since CBD COP 2, where it ws greed tht n ecosystem pproch should be the primry frmework for ction under the Convention, Austrli s domestic ppliction of ecosystem pproches hs ccelerted nd is bsed on the integrtive nd dptive mngement pproch dopted by the Convention. Austrli bses domestic ppliction of ecosystem pproches to nturl resource mngement on the precutionry pproch, s greed s Principle 15 of the Rio Declrtion of 1992 (nd endorsed t WSSD). Lnd mngement Ecosystem pproches re widely implemented domesticlly, nd underpin Austrli s mjor piece of environmentl legisltion the EPBC Act. For exmple, ecosystem pproches re used s the foundtion for existing nturl resource mngement (NRM) progrms (Nturl Heritge Trust nd Ntionl Action Pln on Slinity nd Wter Qulity), wetlnd mngement for the promotion of the wise use of wetlnds nd ntive forest mngement. (The Regionl Forest Agreement system is cse study of the ecosystem pproch These support conservtion incentive mesures nd progrms for biodiversity conservtion in production lndscpes, fisheries mngement rrngements (e.g. regionl mrine plnning, ntionl ocens policy nd strtegic ssessments under the EPBC Act nd the Fisheries Mngement Act 1991). Costl nd Mrine Applying the ecosystem pproch to ocens mngement involves the considertion of humn ctivities in the context of ecosystem boundries, rther thn boundries bsed on governnce or tenure. It lso recognises tht there re ecologicl links between the lnd nd the ocens, s well s within nd between ocen ecosystems. Ecosystem pproches underpin Austrli s Ocens Policy nd Regionl Mrine Plnning process. Guidelines for pplying n ecosystem pproch in the ocens hve been developed. Austrli is lso pursuing rnge of mesures tht re bsed on ecosystem pproches for the mngement nd conservtion of high ses outside ntionl jurisdiction. (See lso under Article 10 Question 70). An ecosystem pproch ws fundmentl for the Gret Brrier Reef Mrine Prk Representtive Ares Progrm (RAP), the identifiction of new Mrine Protected Ares nd to the effective mngement of existing reserves. An ecosystem pproch is lso integrl to the performnce ssessment frmeworks used in Austrli. The ecosystem-pproch hs lso been pplied in other sensitive mrine environments, such s Herd nd McDonld Islnd Mrine Prk in the sub-antrctic, nd in the Tsmnin Semount Reserve re. 88

89 Interntionlly, Austrli hs promoted ecosystem pproches in the re covered by the Convention on the Conservtion of Antrctic Mrine Living Resources (CCAMLR), for instnce by developing nd implementing conservtion mesures tht limit hrvest of finfish to provide for predtors nd sustinble ctches, nd to reduce the level of by-ctch in commercil fisheries. A mjor chllenge in mnging humn ctivities in the ocens is how little is currently known, nd likely to be known, bout ocens ecosystems nd the impcts of humn ctivities in the ocen. Adopting n ecosystem pproch in mngement ims to ensure tht, during decision-mking, blnce between the following is explicitly considered nd chosen: the precutionry pproch to mngement nd use; level of uncertinty bout the nturl nd humn systems; risk of dverse impcts to those systems; potentil benefits to those systems; nd the investment in cquiring informtion to reduce the uncertinty. Integrl to n ecosystem pproch is dptive mngement. This ensures tht mngement ctions re modified, bsed on feedbck bout their effectiveness s we lern more bout the mrine environments nd ecosystems, nd come to better understnd our interctions with them. Regionl mrine plnning: how the Austrlin Government is tking n ecosystem pproch The regionl mrine plns (RMPs) tht re being developed for Austrli s mrine jurisdiction estblish brod direction nd mngement rrngements for Austrli s ocen territory. An ecosystem pproch underpins regionl mrine plnning s RMPs re bsed on lrge mrine ecosystem boundries (LMEs), rther thn jurisdiction or mngement boundries. Consistent with the principles of n ecosystem pproch, the RMPs lso seek to integrte the use, mngement nd conservtion of mrine resources t the brod ecosystem level. Regionl mrine plns re lso designed to dpt nd chnge ccording to new informtion bout mrine ecosystems nd n improved understnding of how to mnge nd conserve our ocen resources. Regionl mrine plns use the Ntionl Mrine Bioregionlistion s hierrchicl sptil frmework to define mrine ecosystems bsed on res tht re brodly similr in physicl nd biologicl structure. Bioregions vry in size from lrge provincil structures tht cpture brod ptterns in biogeogrphy of plnts nd nimls, to finer scle res within provinces tht mp distinct hbitts. The reson for tking nested bioregionl pproch is tht mngement pplictions vry in scle; for exmple, ntionl representtive system of mrine protected res would need to identify res t level which cptures ntionl ptterns in biodiversity, while mngement of prticulr uses in the mrine environment needs to consider impcts on smller scle hbitts. Gret Brrier Reef Mrine Prk Reprenttive Ares Progrm The new Zoning Pln for the entire Gret Brrier Reef Mrine Prk cme into effect on 1 July The proportion of the Mrine Prk protected by highly protected no-tke zones ws incresed from less thn 5% to more thn 33%, nd now protects representtive exmples of ech of the 70 brod hbitt types identified in the Gret Brrier Reef. Key chievements ginst this objective include: Protection of over 115,000 km 2 of the Gret Brrier Reef Mrine Prk within the world s lrgest network of mrine no-tke res. Cretion of network of highly protected res tht is representtive of ll 70 bioregions (hbitts) within the Mrine Prk. Most comprehensive process of community involvement nd prticiptory plnning for ny environmentl issue in Austrli s history, including over 31,000 public submissions. Development of visionry new Zoning Pln for the Mrine Prk providing frmework for the conservtion nd sustinble use of the resources of the Mrine Prk, now nd into the future. 89

90 The pproch tken in the GBR ws recognised t the World Conservtion Congress in Bngkok from the November 2004, s one of the most comprehensive, innovtive nd exciting globl dvnces in the systemtic protection of mrine biodiversity nd mrine conservtion in recent decdes. C. ARTICLES OF THE CONVENTION Article 5 Coopertion 9.? Is your country ctively cooperting with other Prties in respect of res beyond ntionl jurisdiction for the conservtion nd sustinble use of biologicl diversity? b) Yes, bilterl coopertion (plese give detils below) X c) Yes, multilterl coopertion (plese give detils below) X d) Yes, regionl nd/or subregionl coopertion (plese give detils below) X e) Yes, other forms of coopertion (plese give detils below) Further comments on coopertion with other Prties in respect of res beyond ntionl jurisdiction for the conservtion nd sustinble use of biodiversity. 90

91 (b) Bilterl Ppu New Guine As prt of Ntionl Cpcity Self Assessment (NCSA) Austrli is working in prtnership with PNG s Deprtment of Environment nd Conservtion to improve the PNG government s forestry resource mngement governnce processes leding to improved implementtion of CBD nd relted MEA obligtions in PNG. Collbortion in res beyond ntionl jurisdictions is crried out through joint coopertion under the Torres Strit Trety nd coopertive mrine surveillnce ctivities. New Zelnd Austrli s closest reltionship on CBD mtters in the region is with New Zelnd. The two countries shre much in common, including on mrine biodiversity conservtion in res beyonf ntionl jurisdiction (see below). Frnce Austrli hs lso developed nd rtified trety with Frnce to promote co-opertion on mritime surveillnce nd reserch relted to ensuring tht ll fishing in the djoining res of the respective Exclusive Economic Zone's in the Southern Ocen is sustinble. Jpn, Chin nd Republic of Kore The Austrlin Government is conserving migrtory wterbirds through number of interntionl greements such s the Rmsr Convention nd the Convention on Migrtory Species (CMS), nd coopertion with countries throughout the Est Asin- Austrlsin Flywy. Bilterl migrtory bird greements exist between Austrli nd Jpn (JAMBA) nd Chin (CAMBA), with further greement under negotition with the Republic of Kore. (c) Multilterl Austrli is ctive cross brod rnge of multilterl for, cross mny conventions to which it is prty, to conserve nd sustinbly use biologicl resources beyond ntionl jurisdiction. Exmples follow. Within the frmework of the Antrctic Trety System (in prticulr through the Protocol on Environmentl Protection to the Antrctic Trety nd CCAMLR) Austrli hs pursued the doption of integrted, coopertive interntionl mesures to conserve nd protect the Antrctic environment nd its biodiversity, nd where pproprite, llow for the sustinble use of Antrctic living mrine resources. The ecosystem pproch is used long with prior environmentl impct ssessment of the potentil impct of proposed ctivities. As pproprite, Antrctic Specilly Protected Ares (ASPAs) nd Antrctic Specilly Mnged Ares (ASMAs) re estblished to protect high vlue Antrctic ecologicl nd culturl vlues. Through its involvement in the Interntionl Whling Commission (IWC), Austrli hs sought permnent globl bn on whling. Austrli continues to support the current mortorium on commercil whling, s n effective mesure to fcilitte the rebuilding of depleted whle stocks. Austrli lso supports the mintennce of existing whle snctury res nd dvoctes the estblishment of South Pcific Whle Snctury. Austrli hs been t the forefront of the estblishment of the Agreement for the Conservtion of Albtrosses nd Petrels, nd interntionl efforts to reduce the incidentl mortlities inflicted on these species through longline fishing nd other humn impcts. 91

92 WSSD Prtnerships Austrli is ctively involved in 20 post WSSD prtnerships (see with those on costl nd ocenic biodiversity of prticulr relevnce to Austrli s ntionl biodiversity conservtion efforts. (See Other Conventions nd Agreements The Austrlin Government is conserving migrtory wterbirds through number of interntionl greements such s the Rmsr Convention nd the Convention on Migrtory Species (CMS), nd coopertion with countries throughout the Est Asin- Austrlsin Flywy. Bilterl migrtory bird greements lso exist (see bove). Austrli initited non-binding multilterl greement, under the CMS on the conservtion of Indin Ocen mrine turtles, nd is currently sperheding counterprt greement on the conservtion of dugong. Austrli is lso Prty to CITES nd coopertes with regionl countries nd trding prtners to ensure tht interntionl trde in specimens of wild nimls nd plnts does not threten their survivl. With high level of concern bout mrine invsive lien species, Austrli hs strongly supported the IMO s work on development n interntionl bllst wter convention. High Ses Biodiversity In response to the cll from the World Summit to improve the conservtion nd mngement of the biodiversity of the high ses, Austrli hosted mjor interntionl conference on the issue in Cirns from June Prticipnts discussed the min threts to biodiversity, emerging issues nd the rnge of existing legl nd institutionl rrngements tht hve relevnce to biodiversity conservtion beyond ntionl jurisdiction. Austrli is ctively pursuing options for mnging nd conserving high ses biodiversity through the successive meetings of the UN Informl Consulttive Process on Ocens nd the Lw of the Se (UNICPOLOS), in ddition to relevnt CBD subgroups. Austrli hs high-level greement with New Zelnd to collborte in the development of rnge of options, including options for improvement of the interntionl governnce regime, to support conservtion nd sustinble mngement of biodiversity on the high ses. This joint pproch reffirms our commitments to sustinbility t ll levels including of biodiversity on the high ses nd in our mrine region. Austrli prticiptes in the CBD High Ses MPA Tskforce long with members including government gencies, NGOs, scientists nd cdemics. 10. Is your country working with other Prties to develop regionl, subregionl or bioregionl mechnisms nd networks to support implementtion of the Convention? (Decision VI/27 A) b) No, but consulttions re under wy c) Yes, some mechnisms nd networks hve been estblished (plese provide detils below) X d) Yes, existing mechnisms hve been strengthened (plese provide 92

93 detils below) Further comments on development of regionl, subregionl or bioregionl mechnisms nd networks to support implementtion of the Convention. See Article 5 Question 9 bove. 11. Is your country tking steps to hrmonize ntionl policies nd progrmmes, with view to optimizing policy coherence, synergies nd efficiency in the implementtion of vrious multilterl environment greements (MEAs) nd relevnt regionl inititives t the ntionl level? (Decision VI/20) b) No, but steps re under considertion c) Yes, some steps re being tken (plese specify below) X d) Yes, comprehensive steps re being tken (plese specify below) Further comments on the hrmoniztion of policies nd progrmmes t the ntionl level. Domestic legisltion nd rrngements for implemention of MEAs nd regionl greements or treties must be in plce before rtifiction tkes plce. Domestic policy nd prctice is designed to hrmonize implemention of the three frmework conventions (UNFCCC, CBD nd CCD), other biodiversity relted MEAs (CITES, CMS, Rmsr etc) nd the WTO nd its subsidiry greements. Box XLI. Plese elborte below on the implementtion of this strtegy specificlly focusing on: ) outcomes nd impcts of ctions tken; b) contribution to the chievement of the gols of the Strtegic Pln of the Convention; c) contribution to progress towrds the 2010 trget; d) progress in implementing ntionl biodiversity strtegies nd ction plns; e) contribution to the chievement of the Millennium Development Gols; f) constrints encountered in implementtion. Article 6 - Generl mesures for conservtion nd sustinble use 12. Hs your country put in plce effective ntionl strtegies, plns nd progrmmes to provide ntionl frmework for implementing the three objectives of the Convention? (Gol 3.1 of the Strtegic Pln) b) No, but relevnt strtegies, plns nd progrmmes re under development c) Yes, some strtegies, plns nd progrmmes re in plce (plese provide detils below) 93

94 d) Yes, comprehensive strtegies, plns nd progrmmes re in plce (plese provide detils below) X Further comments on the strtegies, plns nd progrmmes for implementing the three objectives of the Convention. See Article 5 (Box XLI) bove. In 1996 ll Austrlin Governments greed to Ntionl Strtegy for the Conservtion of Austrli s Biologicl Diversity. The ntionl government followed this inititive with the pssge of the Environment Protection nd Biodiversity Conservtion Act This Act, together with rnge of progrms, including through the Nturl Heritge Trust, seeks to mke mjor contribution to implementing the three objectives of the Convention. In reltion to the 3rd objective, in 2002 ll 9 Austrlin governments signed n intergovernmentl greement on genetic resource mngement: the Ntionlly Consistent Approch for Access to nd Utilistion of Austrli s Ntive Genetic nd Biochemicl Resources (NCA). As defined by the terms of the NCA, in ccordnce with CBD s Bonn Guidelines on Access nd Benefit Shring (ABS), Austrli is committed to fcilitting the ecologiclly sustinble ccess nd use of biologicl resources nd enbling the fir nd equitble shring of benefits derived from the use of Austrli's genetic nd biochemicl resources. Austrli is committed to ensuring terms of ccess to resources tht encourge locl, ntionl nd interntionl investment in Austrli's biotechnology R&D cpbilities, including, biodiscovery reserch, bioprocessing nd product development, while lso recognising the need to ensure the use of trditionl knowledge is undertken with the coopertion nd pprovl of the holders of tht knowledge nd on mutully greed terms. The Ntionl Forest Policy Sttement nd ssocited progrmmes including Regionl Forest Agreements support the implementtion of the three objectives of the Convention in forest environments. Austrli s Ocens Policy, implemented in 1998, provides strtegic direction for the sustinble use of Austrli s Exclusive Economic Zone. Austrli s governments re working together to estblish Ntionl Representtive System of Mrine Protected Ares (NRSMPA): 13.? Hs your country set mesurble trgets within its ntionl strtegies nd ction plns? (Decisions II/7 nd III/9) b) No, mesurble trgets re still in erly stges of development c) No, but mesurble trgets re in dvnced stges of development d) Yes, relevnt trgets re in plce (plese provide detils below) X e) Yes, reports on implementtion of relevnt trgets vilble (plese provide detils below) Further comments on trgets set within ntionl biodiversity strtegies nd ction plns. See Trget 1.1 (I) nd 1.1 (V) bove. 94

95 14. Hs your country identified priority ctions in its ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln? (Decision VI/27 A) b) No, but priority ctions re being identified c) Yes, priority ctions identified (plese provide detils below) X Further comments on priority ctions identified in the ntionl biodiversity strtegy nd ction pln. The most significnt progrms/plns deling with nturl resource mngement come under the umbrell of the Nturl Heritge Trust nd the Ntionl Action Pln for Slinity nd Wter Qulity. These progrms, by their existence, signify priority ction. Actions re lso being pplied under the Ntionl Forest Policy Sttement nd Regionl Forest Agreements. See lso: Ntionl Weeds ProgrmNtionl Greenhouse Strtegy Ntionl Lndcre Progrm Ntionl Wter Qulity Mngement Strtegy Ntionl Ferl Animl Control Progrm (NFACP) Ntionl Hotspots progrm Ntionl Strtegy for Ecologiclly Sustinble Development Ntionl Sustinbility Inititives Ntionl Principles nd Guidelines for Rngelnd Mngement Ntionl Mrket Bsed Instruments Pilots Progrm Commonwelth Wetlnds Policy Also see Objective 2.8 of the 1996 Ntionl Strtegy for the Conservtion of Austrli s Biologicl Diversity recognised the priority of ensuring tht the socil nd economic benefits of the use of genetic mteril nd products derived from Austrli s biologicl diversity ccrue to Austrli. To fulfill this priority, Austrli hs developed n intergovernmentl greement on genetic resource mngement: the Ntionlly Consistent Approch for Access to nd Utilistion of Austrli s Ntive Genetic nd Biochemicl Resources (NCA). It is the gol of the NCA to position Austrli to obtin the mximum economic, socil nd environmentl benefits from the ecologiclly sustinble use of its genetic nd biochemicl resources whilst protecting our biodiversity nd nturl cpitl. 95

96 15. Hs your country integrted the conservtion nd sustinble use of biodiversity s well s benefit shring into relevnt sectorl or cross-sectorl plns, progrmmes nd policies? (Decision VI/27 A) b) Yes, in some sectors (plese provide detils below) c) Yes, in mjor sectors (plese provide detils below) X d) Yes, in ll sectors (plese provide detils below) Further informtion on integrtion of the conservtion nd sustinble use of biodiversity nd benefit-shring into relevnt sectorl or cross-sectorl plns, progrmmes nd policies. Regionl Forest Agreements for production forest regions were completed during 1995 nd These Agreements provide for conservtion, sustinble use nd benefit-shring of forest resources. In 2003 the Austrlin Government refocused policies on biodiversity conservtion by dopting strtegic cross-sectorl pproch s the bsis for investment in biodiversity mintennce nd recovery. The Government decided tht future ntionl investment would be underpinned by sustined institutionl chnge cross ll levels of government in the federtion, focused on four inititives: 1. Addressing mrket filure by redressing bsence of economic signls to mintin biodiversity; 2. Strengthening investment in biodiversity nd ecosystem reserch; 3. Providing erly wrning, emergency response nd erdiction of newly estblished environmentl pests, weeds nd ferl nimls, nd; 4. Strtegic investment nd institutionl reform in Austrli s rngelnds. The first two of these inititives re in prt ddressed by Austrli s intergovernmentl greement on genetic resource mngement: the Ntionlly Consistent Approch for Access to nd Utilistion of Austrli s Ntive Genetic nd Biochemicl Resources (NCA) nd provisions t pge 26 of Austrli s Ntionl Biotechnology Strtegy. In implementing Austrli s Ocens Policy, the Austrlin Government develops regionl mrine plns, which consist of cross-sectorl strtegies for the ecologicl sustinble development of mrine resources, nd which re bsed on best vilble knowledge of regionl mrine ecosystem components nd processes. 16. Are migrtory species nd their hbitts ddressed by your country s ntionl biodiversity strtegy or ction pln (NBSAP)? (Decision VI/20) ) Yes X in brod terms b) No I) If YES, plese briefly describe the extent to which it ddresses () Conservtion, sustinble use nd/or restortion of migrtory species Chpter 1 of the 1996 Ntionl Strtegy for the Conservtion of Austrli s Biologicl Diversity ddresses this issue s follows: Chpter (Shred rnges) sttes tht ntionl policy nd ction will: Ensure the development of pproprite mesures for the mintennce nd mngement of wildlife whose rnges re shred 96

97 with neighbouring countries, priority being given to thretened species nd species used by one or more of the countries concerned. Chpter (Migrtory species) is intended to Ensure the development of ntionl mngement plns for the protection of migrtory species nd their criticl hbitts. (b) Conservtion, sustinble use nd/or restortion of migrtory species hbitts, including protected res (c) Minimizing or eliminting brriers or obstcles to migrtion (d) Reserch nd monitoring for migrtory species (e) Trnsboundry movement See Question 16 () bove See Question 16 () bove Reserch nd monitoring is usully conducted through thretened species strtegy nd species recovery plns. See Question 16 () bove II) If NO, plese briefly indicte below () The extent to which your country ddresses migrtory species t ntionl level (b) Coopertion with other Rnge Sttes since 2000 See Question 16 bove. Significnt: e.g.; Bilterl migrtory wterbird greements with Jpn nd Chin nd under negotition with the Republic of Kore nd coopertion with most countries cross the Est Asin-Austrlsi migrtory bird flywy, through the Asin Wetlnds Bureu/Wetlnds Interntionl. Migrtory mrine species coopertion with regionl countries (mrine turtle nd dugong). Austrli initited n Indo-Pcific Mrine Turtle Conservtion Agreement under the CMS nd counterprt greement on dugong conservtion is in erly stges of development. Southern Ocen sebirds: In 1999 Austrli initited leglly binding greement on the conservtion of lbtrosses nd petrels under the CMS, which, with South Afric s ccession in November 2003, entered into force. 97

98 Biodiversity nd Climte Chnge 17. Hs your country implemented projects imed t mitigting nd dpting to climte chnge tht incorporte biodiversity conservtion nd sustinble use? (Decision VII/15) b) No, but some projects or progrms re under development c) Yes, some projects hve been implemented (plese provide detils below) X Further comments on the projects imed t mitigting nd dpting to climte chnge tht incorporte biodiversity conservtion nd sustinble use. 1. Ntionl Biodiversity nd Climte Chnge Action Pln (Pln), Austrli Gols nd objectives of the project re to minimise the impcts of climte chnge on biodiversity by improving understnding nd incresing wreness. The Pln outlines three min steps to ddress the impcts of climte chnge on biodiversity. These steps re (1) gthering nd disseminting knowledge, (2) minimising impcts nd (3) integrting the considertion of climte chnge into existing conservtion ctivities. Under ech of these steps re number of cross cutting themes including: identifying priority res for reserch nd monitoring; the estblishment nd protection of nturl refuges for terrestril, mrine, costl nd esturine species tht re vulnerble to climte chnge; review of terrestril nd mrine protected res to provide protection of biodiversity from climte chnge; the cretion of hbitt linkges (such s vegettion corridors) nd the modifiction of physicl brriers to movement to help the migrtion nd dispersl of species; ctivities imed t preventing the estblishment nd further spred of weeds nd ferl nimls in future climtes; nd, ctions to improve the cpcity of Austrli s ntionl prks nd mrine reserves to del with future impcts of climte chnge. The Pln outlines ctions to model the impcts of climte chnge on biodiversity. The modelling will focus on ctchment hydrology, shifts in biodiversity t multiple scles, identifiction of species most t risk from climte chnge nd the potentil expnsion of invsive species in future climte scenrios. The informtion derived from the modelling will be used to set ctchment trgets for ddressing climte chnge impcts on biodiversity, nd will be monitored s prt of Ntionl Nturl Resource Mngement Monitoring Frmework. This monitoring will include the effectiveness of mngement responses to the impcts of climte chnge on biodiversity. 2. South Cost of NSW Thretened Species Pilot Project This project is to prepre regionl recovery nd thret btement pln for the South Cost region of New South Wles (NSW) suitble for considertion for doption under the EPBC Act. The pln is to incorporte recovery nd thret btement ctions ffecting ll thretened nd priority species nd ecologicl communities in the region. The project will lso tril the incorportion of climte chnge considertions into regionl recovery nd thret btement plnning. 98

99 18. Hs your country fcilitted coordintion to ensure tht climte chnge mitigtion nd dpttion projects re in line with commitments mde under the United Ntions Frmework Convention on Climte Chnge nd the United Ntions Convention to Combt Desertifiction? (Decision VII/15) b) No, but relevnt mechnisms re under development c) Yes, relevnt mechnisms re in plce (plese provide detils below) X Further comments on the coordintion to ensure tht climte chnge mitigtion nd dpttion projects re in line with commitments mde under the UNFCCC nd the UNCCD. The Ntionl Biodiversity nd Climte Chnge Action Pln is the first document tht provides brod frmework to support dpttion to climte chnge cross Austrli, nd one of the first biodiversity dpttion plns in the world. The pln will help coordinte the ctivities of different Austrlin governments to ddress the impcts of climte chnge on biodiversity nd will be n importnt step in coordinting ntionl, stte nd territory government's climte chnge impcts nd dpttion progrms. Box XLII. Plese elborte below on the implementtion of this rticle nd ssocited decisions specificlly focusing on: ) outcomes nd impcts of ctions tken; b) contribution to the chievement of the gols of the Strtegic Pln of the Convention; c) contribution to progress towrds the 2010 trget; d) progress in implementing ntionl biodiversity strtegies nd ction plns; e) contribution to the chievement of the Millennium Development Gols; f) constrints encountered in implementtion. (), (b) nd (d) Strtegic Pln: See lso bove (Trgets 1.1 (I), 1.1 (V), 2.1). The Ntionl Strtegy for the Conservtion of Austrli s Biologicl Diversity (1996) Biodiversity home pge is the principle mechnism for implementing this nd severl other Articles of the Convention. The Strtegy ws prepred by the, then, Austrlin nd New Zelnd Environment nd Conservtion Council, in consulttion with the Agriculture nd Resources Mngement Council of Austrli nd New Zelnd, the Austrlin Forestry Council, the Austrlin nd New Zelnd Fisheries nd Aquculture Council, the Austrlin nd New Zelnd Minerls nd Energy Council, nd the Industry, Technology nd Regionl Development Council. The views of business, industry nd the conservtion movement were lso sought nd the provisions of the Convention on Biologicl Diversity nd the drft ntionl strtegy prepred by the Biologicl Diversity Advisory Committee, were tken into ccount. This Strtegy covers ll of Austrli's biologicl diversity - terrestril, mrine nd other qutic biologicl systems, including those of the externl territories, nd focuses on the conservtion of indigenous biologicl diversity. Ntionl efforts for the conservtion of biologicl diversity re specificlly imed t ll three levels of biologicl diversity - genetic diversity, species diversity nd ecosystem diversity - nd consist of number of progrms relting to identifiction, reserch, mngement, control of lien species, nd rehbilittion. The Austrlin Government hs legisltion relevnt to biologicl diversity conservtion, prticulrly the EPBC Act, but lso including the import nd export of species, endngered species 99

100 protection, nd environmentl impct ssessment. There re mny Stte nd Territory government inititives for the conservtion of biologicl diversity, mong them: identifiction nd biologicl survey; the estblishment nd mngement of protected res from nture reserves to multiple use res; eduction, extension nd support progrms outside protected res; legisltion by severl Sttes for the protection of ntive species, especilly those thretened with extinction; legisltion by some Sttes to protect wilderness res; nd reviews by some Sttes of their policies on ntive vegettion, including criteri relting to biologicl diversity for the ssessment of proposls to cler lnd. Incresingly, Stte, Territory nd locl governments re dopting more integrted pproches to plnning nd mngement on biogeogrphic bsis, or for individul species. Continued implementtion of the Strtegy requires coopertion nd coordintion from ll levels of government, industry, community groups nd individul lnd mngers: ech hs some responsibility for the mngement of biologicl diversity. In ddition, public wreness, eduction nd community involvement re criticl to the conservtion of biologicl diversity. The knowledge nd experience of locl communities nd community orgnistions is incresingly drwn upon to engender sense of community involvement, including their cquisition of privte lnd for biodiversity conservtion. Exmples include reserves cquired nd operted by non government orgnistions such s, Birds Austrli, ( Austrlin Bush Heritge, the Trust for Nture ( nd the Austrlin Wildlife Conservncy. Forml protocols for interction between Austrlin Government, Stte nd Territory nd locl governments in environmentl mngement hve been estblished through the Inter- Governmentl Agreement on the Environment. Further intergovernmentl rrngements to fulfil the objectives of the Ntionl Strtegy re negotited s necessry Trget: See Gols 1-11 bove. As prt of progress towrds the 2010 trget Austrli sees merit in the CBD pursuing hedline indictors under which prties would seek miniml list of simplified globl indictors to more ccurtely trck globl biodiversity. Austrli, therefore, prticipted in the October 2004 Ad Hoc Technicl Experts Group on Indictors for ssessing progress t the globl level towrds the 2010 Biodiversity trget, nd will remin ctive in this process. Millennium Development Gols (MDGs) Austrli supports the CBD linking its work to Millennium Development Gol 8, s complement to its own 2010 trget. However, Austrli does not consider elbortion of trget setting system for the Convention s work progrms, bsed on the Millennium Development Gols in their entirety, to be pproprite to the purposes or work of the Convention. 100

101 Article 7 - Identifiction nd monitoring 19.? On Article 7(), does your country hve n ongoing progrmme to identify components of biologicl diversity t the genetic, species, ecosystem level? b) Yes, selected/prtil progrmmes t the genetic, species nd/or ecosystem level only (plese specify nd provide detils below) X c) Yes, complete progrmmes t ecosystem level nd selected/prtil inventories t the genetic nd/or species level (plese specify nd provide detils below) Further comments on ongoing progrmmes to identify components of biodiversity t the genetic, species nd ecosystem level. The Austrlin Biologicl Resources Study (ABRS) is Progrm within Prks Austrli Division of the Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge. It ws estblished in 1973 to coordinte reserch in txonomy. ABRS fosters txonomic cpbility through strtegic prtnerships. It coordintes Austrlin Government reserch grnts for discovery, identifiction nd clssifiction of Austrli's biodiversity, the delivery of high qulity informtion on Austrli's flor nd fun, nd provides scholrships nd bursries for students of txonomy. See Other biodiversity progrms re mnged by vrious Stte Government Deprtments nd Authorities, including herbri, museums, universities nd conservtion gencies. The Ntionl Mrine Bioregionlistion hs been developed by Austrli s Ntionl Ocens Office. It is mngement frmework tht identifies sptil ptterns in biologicl diversity within Austrli s mrine jurisdiction, nd will be subject to periodic review nd updting. 20.? On Article 7(b), which components of biologicl diversity identified in ccordnce with Annex I of the Convention, hve ongoing, systemtic monitoring progrmmes? ) t ecosystem level (plese provide percentge bsed on re covered) X b) t species level (plese provide number of species per txonomic group nd percentge of totl known number of species in ech group) c) t genetic level (plese indicte number nd focus of monitoring progrmmes) X X Further comments on ongoing monitoring progrmmes t the genetic, species nd ecosystem level. Identifiction nd monitoring progrms re crried out t vrious scles throughout the country, nd cn correspond with the levels t (), (b) nd (c) bove. However they ssume greter mening s they re scled up into ntionl reporting mechnisms (see below). Ntionl stte of the environment reporting The min vehicle for ntionl reporting on the environment is the Stte of the Environment Report (SoE), which occurs every five yers. In Austrli, Stte of the Environment (SoE) 101

102 reporting occurs t both the ntionl nd stte/territory (provincil government) level. Ntionl SoE Reports provide informtion bout environmentl nd heritge conditions, trends nd pressures for the Austrlin continent, surrounding ses nd Austrli's externl territories. The reports re bsed on dt nd informtion gthered nd interpreted ginst environmentl indictors. For ese of reporting, environmentl indictors hve been grouped into environmentl themes. Preprtions for the 2006 SoE report re underwy. The Minister for the Environment nd Heritge estblished n independent Committee in Mrch 2004 to oversee the preprtion of the 2006 SoE Report. Most Sttes nd Territories of Austrli produce stte wide SoE reports. Stte nd Territory government web sites hve informtion bout their reporting processes. (see - stte Numerous other reporting frmeworks serve s feeders to the five yerly ntionl Stte of the Environment Reports. These include: The Stte of Austrli's Birds 2003 The Stte of Austrli s Birds (SOAB) report is n nnul publiction presenting summry of the most up-to-dte informtion on the sttus nd trends in Austrli s birdlife nd fctors influencing the bundnce nd distribution of species. The overrching strtegy is designed to ensure nlyses, nd reporting builds on existing dt nd informtion (e.g. the Atls of Austrlin Birds), which feeds into ntionl environmentl reporting processes (e.g. Austrli s Stte of the Environment reporting). The nnul SOAB snpshots follow five yer rottion; reporting on different theme ech yer for four yers, with the finl report in the cycle providing big picture summry nd nlyses. The themes mking up the five yer cycle re: wter, wetlnds nd birds terrestril hbitts (woodlnds) revegettion, rehbilittion nd restortion islnd, uplnd nd costl birds summry nd synthesis The SOAB reports provide science-bsed informtion to diverse udience including volunteers, the generl public, nd nturl resource plnning nd mngement decision-mkers. A wide rnge of subjects nd issues re covered (e.g. monitoring progrms, conservtion projects, indictor species nd groups, nd current nd emerging issues). More informtion t: Stte of the forests reporting Stte of the Forests Reports fulfill Austrli s five yerly public reporting commitment identified in the 1992 Ntionl Forest Policy Sttement, nd lso serve s Austrli s report to the interntionl Montrel Process on criteri nd indictors of sustinble forest mngement. The most recent report ws completed in Austrli s frmework of criteri nd indictors, bsed on the Montrel Process, is used s bsis for reporting. Seven brod criteri nd 74 indictors were developed during regionl consulttions with forest mngement nd conservtion gencies nd other stkeholders round the country. 102

103 Using consistent indictors lso enbles comprisons between countries in forest sttus nd mngement. An importnt ntionwide chnge since the 1998 Stte of the Forests Report hs been the development nd implementtion of Regionl Forest Agreements (RFAs). This is the first ntionl report since the RFA process concluded. Chnges brought bout by the process re detiled wherever dt re vilble. Dt re presented without vlue-bsed interprettions. The report provides benchmrk for future ssessments. The report cknowledges tht, under some criteri, dt re incomplete, but wreness of these gps should increse the focus on dt collection nd provide n improved bsis for continuous monitoring. Austrlin Terrestril Biodiversity Assessment 2002 This is Austrli's first comprehensive ssessment of terrestril biodiversity. It provides the bsis for n improved understnding of biodiversity vlues, biodiversity mngement requirements nd investment opportunities. The objectives of the terrestril biodiversity ssessment were to: identify regionl priorities nd lndscpe/ecosystem priorities cross Austrli for biodiversity conservtion; identify mngement priorities to conserve biodiversity t both ntionl nd regionl scles nd ssess the ssocited resource implictions; nd build ntionwide consensus on biodiversity mngement priorities. See: (Austrlin Terrestril Biodiversity Assessment 2002) River helth Through the Ntionl River Helth Progrm, the first Austrli-wide ssessment of the helth of Austrli's diverse nd unique qutic systems hs been undertken t pproximtely 6000 sites cross Austrli (Monitoring River Helth Inititive). The ssessment ws estblished s prtnership between river mngement gencies cross Austrli, the Austrlin Government, reserchers nd communities. An Austrli-wide Assessment of River Helth system, known s AusRivAS uses rpid, stndrdised method for ssessing the ecologicl helth of rivers, bsed on biologicl monitoring nd hbitt ssessment. Sites hve been selected cross the country with dvice from stte government gencies, locl governments, industry, ctchment orgnistions nd communities, with ctchment mngement issues prticulrly in mind. AusRivAS consists of series of stte-wide predictive models.these use field dt to predict the qutic mcroinvertebrte fmilies tht would be expected to be present in surveyed river sites in reference (tht is, pristine or ner pristine) condition. These models hve been developed using hbitt informtion nd mcroinvertebrte surveys t pproximtely 1500 crefully selected reference sites (including in lpine nd sub-lpine zones) tht re in reltively pristine or best possible condition. River helth ssessment is bsed on the differences between wht is found t test sites nd wht ws predicted to hve occurred there from set of reference sites with similr geogrphic, physicl, nd chemicl fetures. Previous reserch hs shown tht vrious impcts, such s wter qulity chnges, cuse the loss of sensitive fun. A rtio of the observed number of mcroinvertebrte fmilies to the expected number of fmilies (the O:E score) cn be clculted for ech test site. The vlue of the O:E score cn rnge from zero (indicting tht no fmilies were found t the site) to slightly greter thn one (indicting more thn the expected number of fmilies were found t the site). The AusRivAS O:E score provides relible, integrted river helth indictor tht is responsive to vriety of impcts, including wter qulity, hbitt condition, nd chnges in flow regime. The O:E 103

104 scores re ssigned to ctegories or bnds tht describe different levels of biologicl condition, rnging from 'richer thn reference' condition (contining more fmilies thn expected), to 'impoverished' (contining very few of the expected fmilies). These bnds provide 'biologicl helth report' of the overll condition nd severity of impct for vrious sites. This llows the generl helth of the river t the survey sites to be chrcterised. While the AusRivAS scores do not provide definitive indiction of the cuse of disturbnce, the scores enble river monitors to plce the current condition of individul strems in ntion-wide context. Thus, monitors cn identify "stressed" or priority rivers for further investigtion nd mngement ction. Monitoring sites re selected to include vriety of sites, representtive of the types of wterwys, lnd nd wter uses, nd impcts in ech river bsin. The results of the overll ssessment so fr re being consolidted in comprehensive, publicly vilble dt set with ssocited ntionl mps of river condition. Dt nd informtion generted during the Assessment hve been incorported in the 2001 Stte of the Environment Report, the Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit (udit.e.gov.u/anra/costs/docs/estury_ssessment/river_assessing.cfm nd udit.e.gov.u/anra/costs/docs/estury_ssessment/river_findings.cfm), nd the ntionl ESD hedline indictors ( Report Aginst Hedline Sustinbility Indictors ). The Ntionl River Helth Progrm is currently providing Austrlin dollrs $1.6 million to develop comprehensive toolbox of ssessment techniques, models nd protocols. (See lso: AusRivAS web site, Austrlin Esturies Dtbse, Austrlin rivers nd ctchment informtion, Austrlin River nd Ctchments Condition Disturbnce Dt Bse ("Wild Rivers") 21.? On Article 7(c), does your country hve ongoing, systemtic monitoring progrmmes on ny of the following key threts to biodiversity? b) Yes, invsive lien species (plese provide detils below) c) Yes, climte chnge (plese provide detils below) d) Yes, pollution/eutrophiction (plese provide detils below) X (SoE sub theme nd see note below) X See Trget 7.1 (IV) X e) Yes, lnd use chnge/lnd degrdtion (plese provide detils below) f) Yes, overexploittion or unsustinble use (plese provide detils below) X, (lso see Trget 4.1) Further comments on monitoring progrmmes on key threts to biodiversity. 104

105 Under prt 12 of the EPBC Act the Minister for Environment nd Heritge my provide finncil nd other ssistnce for the purpose of identifying nd monitoring components of biodiversity. Components of biodiversity include species, hbitts, ecologicl communities, genes, ecosystems nd ecologicl processes. (b) Invsive lien species (IAS) The Ntionl Lnd And Wter Resources Audit Council is currently developing frmework for ntionl weeds ssessment, to be completed in 2005, in which ongoing monitoring might be component. In Austrli, t present, there is no ntionlly coordinted monitoring or ntionl level monitoring for vertebrte pests. The Stte (provincil) Governments hve their own pest mngement informtion systems. It is much more difficult (nd therefore expensive) to obtin informtion on pest density nd impct, thn, for exmple on wter qulity, which is more redily quntified. Totl grzing pressure reports for rngelnd environments provide bsis for development of monitoring frmeworks, s pproprite, in regionl Nturl Resource Mngement (NRM) plnning. Thret btement plns my require continuous monitoring s n effective mens of combting n IAS thret. Bseline surveys hve been completed for 35 ports to determine current mrine pest sttus. An ongoing monitoring progrm for 18 priority loctions is being developed s prt of the Ntionl System for the Prevention nd Mngement of Mrine Pest Incursions. The priority loctions for ongoing monitoring hve been selected on the bsis of likelihood of future incursions, bsed on vector ptterns for both introduction nd trnsloction. A stndrdised monitoring pproch is being developed s prt of the ongoing monitoring progrm. (c) Climte Chnge A Ntionl Pln for climte chnge will be reviewed in As prt of this process indictors re being developed, including on how climte chnge cn be integrted with current monitoring nd evlution of nturl resource mngement. (See Trget 7.1 (IV) nd (V) sections bove). (d) Pollution/eutrophiction Wter In Austrli, monitoring of surfce wter qulity is undertken to provide informtion for rnge of purposes including to: protect public helth protect qutic ecosystems ssess wterwy condition ensure complince with dischrge licences Stte of the Environment /Audit reporting improve scientific understnding of ctchment processes, nd identify wter qulity reltionships nd responses to lnd mngement prctices Austrli spends $ M per yer monitoring wter qulity (see NLWRA) This is undertken by: Commonwelth / Regionl gencies Locl nd Stte government gencies involved in environmentl monitoring nd pollution regultion Government gencies or government owned corportions providing community services (i.e. wter, sewge) Privte compnies or orgnistions whose ctivities my cuse wter pollution (e.g. mines, industril plnt opertors) 105

106 Reserch groups including universities nd the CSIRO Community Groups such s WterWtch Monitoring River Helth Inititive: Through the Ntionl River Helth Progrm, the first Austrli-wide ssessment of the helth of Austrli's diverse nd unique qutic systems hs been undertken t pproximtely 6000 sites cross Austrli. The ssessment ws estblished s prtnership between river mngement gencies cross Austrli, the Austrlin Government, reserchers nd communities. Wterwtch is ntionl community wter qulity monitoring network tht encourges ll Austrlins to become involved nd ctive in the protection nd mngement of their wterwys nd ctchments. Austrlin Rivers Assessment Scheme (AUSRIVAS) is rpid prediction system used to ssess the biologicl helth of Austrlin rivers. The Federl Government developed AUSRIVAS under the Ntionl River Helth Progrm (NRHP) in 1994, in response to growing concern in Austrli for mintining ecologicl vlues (see lso Question 20 bove). Atmosphere The Ntionl Pollutnt Inventory (NPI) provides Austrlins with ccess to informtion on the types, mounts nd effects of pollutnts being emitted in their communities. The Ntionl Greenhouse Gs Inventory lso reports on emissions bsed on lnd use, lnd use chnge nd forestry ctivities ccording to UNFCCC ccounting provisions. Lnd use chnge informtion is interpreted from stellite dt for chnges in forest nd other woody biomss stocks, forest nd grsslnd conversion nd bndonment of mnged lnds. (e) Lnd use chnge See Question 20 nd Trgets 1.1 nd 4.1 (bove). The Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit (NLWRA) compiled ntionl sttistics to exmine nd ssess trends in lnd use chnge. Dt from the nnul Agriculturl Census (AgStts) collected by the Austrlin Bureu of Sttistics provides informtion on mny different griculturl products. To provide some meningful indictions of lnd use over 20 yers, the dt ws ggregted to 5 lrger ctegories tht follow the Austrlin Lnd Use nd Mngement Clssifiction. They re: extensive grzing; sown pstures; brodcre crops; semi-intensive crops; nd horticulture. (f) Unsustinble use Sustinble use sttistics nd trend informtion is reported in stte of the environment reporting (see, for exmple: Wter (from SoE 2001) nd the groundwter mp below). Forests The Ntionl Forest Inventory collects nd communictes informtion on Austrli's forests. Austrli s Stte of the Forests Report (2003) fulfils the obligtion in the Ntionl Forest Policy Sttement to provide forest sustinbility report to the Austrlin public every 5 yers. The Ntionl Forest Inventory collects nd communictes informtion on Austrli's forests. Fisheries Austrli-wide, bout $75 million is spent nnully on fisheries dt collection, reserch nd ssessment. The Austrlin Government publishes the results of ssessments nnully in Fishery Sttus Reports). Ntionlly ll export fisheries mngement rrngements re subject to 106

107 environmentl performnce ssessments ( to ensure they re mnged in n ecologiclly sustinble mnner. Those fishery mngement rrngements must include ctions to reduce the impct of fishing on the environment (Byctch ction plns ( nd ger modifictions). Indictive surfce wter development sttus. Assessments were undertken by the stte nd territory wter resource mngement gencies. There re vrying pproches to the ssessment of sustinble flow regimes. Source: NLWRA (2001b) ? On Article 7 (d), does your country hve mechnism to mintin nd orgnize dt derived from inventories nd monitoring progrmmes nd coordinte informtion collection nd mngement t the ntionl level? b) No, but some mechnisms or systems re being considered c) Yes, some mechnisms or systems re being estblished d) Yes, some mechnisms or systems re in plce (plese provide detils below) X e) Yes, reltively complete system is in plce (plese provide detils 4 NLWRA 2001b, Austrlin wter resources ssessment 2000, Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit, published for the Commonwelth of Austrli. 107

108 below) Further informtion on the coordintion of dt nd informtion collection nd mngement. Austrlin Biodiversity Informtion Fcility (ABIF) Biodiversity dt is collected nd mintined by diverse rnge of orgnistions nd institutions, t Stte nd Austrlin Government level. The Austrlin Biologicl Resources Study (ABRS) is in the process of estblishing ntionl portl for distributed biodiversity informtion. This portl is clled the Austrlin Biodiversity Informtion Fcility (ABIF). An interim website hs been estblished for the Austrlin node ( while the ABIF ntionl portl is being developed. The ABIF node will be stble computing gtewy tht llows rel-time inter-opertionl serch of multiple institutionl, ntionl, regionl nd/or subregionl dtbses contining primry or metlevel biodiversity dt (such s specimen records, ctlogues, nd bibliogrphic, gene sequence, ecosystem dt). The node will provide ccess to dt using stndrd exchnge formts nd protocols. It will lso include vriety of nlyticl web-bsed tools nd links to other tools, including keys nd dt vlidtion tools. It is nticipted tht the ABIF portl will develop into web-bsed reserch fcility contining wide rnge of informtion, including txonomy, moleculr dt, imge librries, identifiction keys, biologicl nd ecologicl dt, nd mpping tools. Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit (NLWRA). The key inititive for the coordintion of dt collection nd mngement ctivities relting to nturl resource mngement nd monitoring is the Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit (NLWRA). The NLWRA is focused on developing nd improving ntionl informtion system of redily ccessible nturl resource dt to provide frmework for on-going monitoring of Austrli's lnd nd wter resources. In ddition it provides rnge of reports nd informtion products on nturl resource issues, bsed on ntionlly collted dt, informtion nd knowledge. The informtion products of the NLWRA re mde vilble for public ccess nd use on the internet through the Austrlin Nturl Resources Atls nd the Nturl Resources Dt Librry. Under the coordintion of the NLWRA, number of ntionl committees exist for the coordintion of dt nd informtion for specific themes, such s wter, vegettion nd soil condition. In the cse of vegettion, for exmple, the Executive Steering Committee for Austrlin Vegettion Informtion steers the ongoing improvement of the Ntionl Vegettion Informtion System (NVIS), which is ntionl frmework for stndrdising nd collting vegettion dt collected by stte nd territory governments. Vegettion informtion products bsed on NVIS informtion re mde ccessible vi the NLWRA s Atls nd Dt Librry The Austrlin Collbortive Rngelnd Informtion System (ACRIS) Reporting on chnge in the rngelnds is mjor undertking becuse they cover 75% of the continent, including some of its most remote nd lest disturbed lndscpes. The Austrlin Collbortive Rngelnd Informtion System (ACRIS) is coordinting mechnism tht colltes rngelnd informtion from Stte, Northern Territory (NT) nd Austrlin Government gencies nd other sources. The ACRIS Mngement Committee hs representtives of Austrlin nd Stte/NT Governments nd Mngement Unit co-locted with the Desert Knowledge Coopertive Reserch Centre (CRC). It reports to the Audit Advisory Council on issues of informtion, nd to the Ministeril Council s Nturl Resource Progrms nd Policy Committee on issues of policy. ACRIS themes for monitoring include indictors for lndscpe nd ecosystem chnge nd sustinble wter mngement. The wter theme will be bsed prtly on the distribution of wter points in the lndscpe. ACRIS is due to report in

109 23.? Does your country use indictors for ntionl-level monitoring of biodiversity? (Decision III/10) b) No, but identifiction of potentil indictors is under wy (plese describe) c) Yes, some indictors identified nd in use (plese describe nd, if vilble, provide website ddress, where dt re summrized nd presented) X d) Yes, reltively complete set of indictors identified nd in use (plese describe nd, if vilble, provide website ddress, where dt re summrized nd presented Further comments on the indictors identified nd in use. Work on Indictors in Austrli hs been undertken in response to ntionl priorities nd ssessment of the gps in knowledge of Austrli s environment nd the condition of its nturl resources. The min purpose of indictors is to detect chnge. A set of ntionl indictors were used in the 2001 Stte of the Environment Report. A review of these indictors hs been conducted to ssess indictors to be used for reporting on biodiversity themes for the Third Stte of the Environment Report due in The Austrlin, Stte nd Territory Governments developed ntionl Nturl Resource Mngement Monitoring & Evlution Frmework (NM&EF) to help monitor nd report on the impct of the NAP nd NHT. The NM&EF sets out brod Mtters for Trget which re to be reported on, using rnge of possible indictors. The Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit: Biodiversity Report lso used 3 ssessments to nlyse (i) chnge in continentl lndscpe stress, (ii) wetlnd condition nd (iii) thretening processes for thretened ecosystems. Further development of monitoring nd indictors by the Audit will feed into future Stte of the Environment reporting t the ntionl level. Requirements underlying the development of ntionl reporting include: Reporting on the sttus, loction, condition nd trend of biodiversity ttributes (under the Ntionl M&E Frmework) for long term monitoring of biodiversity. Provision of informtion for reporting ginst legisltive requirements (e.g. Interntionl greements under which the Austrlin Government hs commitments) Effectiveness of mngement ction. Reporting on investments nd the effectiveness of mngement intervention. Better trgeted investment. How cn investment in the conservtion of biodiversity be improved to gin greter benefits or better trget the investments? More informtion t: Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Assessment Stte of the Environment Reporting. Ntionl Monitoring & Evlution Frmework 109

110 Reports relevnt to ssessment on ntionl level reporting on biodiversity re discussed t Box I bove nd include: Austrlin Stte of the Environment 2001 Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit: Austrlin Terrestril Biodiversity Assessment 2002 The Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit: Austrlin Ntive Vegettion Assessment 2001 The Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit: Lndscpe Helth Assessment 2001 Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge Annul Report Austrli s Stte of the Forests Report 2003 The Stte of Austrli s Birds 2004 Box XLIII. Plese elborte below on the implementtion of this rticle nd ssocited decisions specificlly focusing on: ) outcomes nd impcts of ctions tken; b) contribution to the chievement of the gols of the Strtegic Pln of the Convention; c) contribution to progress towrds the 2010 trget; d) progress in implementing ntionl biodiversity strtegies nd ction plns; e) contribution to the chievement of the Millennium Development Gols; f) constrints encountered in implementtion. See Box XLII bove Decisions on Txonomy 24.? Hs your country developed pln to implement the suggested ctions s nnexed to decision IV/1? (Decision IV/1) b) No, but pln is under development c) Yes, pln is in plce (plese provide detils below) d) Yes, reports on implementtion vilble (plese provide detils below) X Further informtion on pln to implement the suggested ctions s nnexed to decision IV/1. This text mplifies ntionl ction in reltion to the nnex of Decision IV/1. In Austrli, it is minly stte government bodies tht hve responsibility for development nd mintennce of infrstructure for collections. However, some ntionl collections lso exist, such s the Austrlin Ntionl Herbrium nd the Austrlin Ntionl Insect Collection. Ech Austrlin Stte nd Territory hs number of institutions tht re responsible for biologicl diversity inventories nd txonomic ctivities. Similrly, funding of cdemic 110

111 ctivities nd trining of txonomy professionls is undertken in universities nd other institutions within ech jurisdiction. There is often strong coopertion between these different institutions nd between the different jurisdictions. Conservtion Biology The Centre for Plnt Biodiversity ( collbortive joint venture between CSIRO Plnt Industry, Dept of the Environment & Heritge nd the Austrlin Ntionl Botnic Grdens), documents the biologicl diversity of the Austrlin flor through estblishing the txonomic identity nd reltionships of ntive plnts, their geogrphicl distribution, nd their ecologicl reltionships. These studies primrily concentrte on significnt ntionl plnt groups such s euclypts, orchids, grsses, grevilles, mosses, rinforest lurels nd the citrus fmily. The Centre hs developed computer-bsed interctive systems for identifying rinforest trees nd euclypts. The mintennce nd recovery of rre nd thretened species of flor is significnt element of the Centre's work, s its fcilities provide ntionl focus for documenting, growing nd protecting endngered ntive plnts. The Centre hs drwn on its extensive resources to produce successive editions of Rre or Thretened Austrlin Plnts. The cornerstone of botnicl reserch for the Centre for Plnt Biodiversity Reserch is the Austrlin Ntionl Herbrium, which houses collection of 1.4 million plnt specimens, documenting the diversity of the Austrlin flor. An nnex housing the rin forest collection is locted in north Queenslnd. Bsed on its reserch progrms nd collections the Centre for Plnt Biodiversity Reserch provides ntionl focus for botnicl dt. Through the internet, text nd imge dt bsed on the collections hve been mde vilble throughout the world. The Centre is lso responsible for the coordintion nd mintennce of importnt ntionl botnicl dtbses, including the Austrlin Plnt Nme Index, Rre or Thretened Austrlin Plnts (ROTAP), nd the Economic Plnts of Austrli. To mke complex biologicl informtion more ccessible the Centre is tking leding role in estblishing common stndrds nd conventions for botnicl dtbses, such s through ntionl collbortive project on ll Austrlin Euclyptus specimens nd survey records. The Ntionl Herbrium is one of 28 mjor herbri round the country. Contct detils nd holdings re t Resources of Austrlin Herbri. The work of the Centre nd the Herbrium is lso strongly supported by the Austrlin Systemtic Botny Society (ASBS), which is n ssocition of over 300 people with professionl or mteur interest in botny. The im of the Society is to promote the study of plnt systemtics. See Austrlin Systemtic Botny Society. In ddition, the informtion collted nd held by The Centre for Plnt Biodiversity is linked to holdings t mny museums within Austrli, nd in Europen nd North Americn Museums. Austrli is lso regulr prticipnt in CBD GTI events, nd reports regulrly. Collbortion with Developing Countries Mny prtnerships exist between Austrlin institutions nd those in developing countries, in prticulr, within the Asi-Pcific region. For exmple, Austrli hs prticipted in orgnising two Regionl GTI Workshops imed t rising wreness nd identifying regionl txonomic priorities. At more locl level, the plnts of Ppu New Guine is the electronic herbrium dt of the plnts collected from Ppu (Indonesi), Ppu New Guine nd the Solomon Islnds, s held by the Queenslnd Herbrium, Austrlin Ntionl Herbrium, Ntionl Herbrium of New South Wles (NSW), Ntionl Herbrium of Victori (MEL) nd the Ppu new Guine Ntionl Herbrium. These dt re provided online by the Ntionl Herbrium of New South Wles (NSW). As well s rnge of individul institution-negotited progrms, the Austrlin Government funds trining in South Asi in the identifiction nd mngement of pest nd invsive species. Trining Progrms Trining progrms re offered in Austrli t the undergrdute, postgrdute nd technicl level for people engged in txonomic work. The Austrlin Biologicl Resources Study (ABRS) Postgrdute Scholrships Scheme fosters reserch trining nd offers wrds to outstnding 111

112 students wishing to pursue PhD. in txonomy. ABRS bursries offer smll grnts to postgrdute students studying txonomy, nd prticipting in ntionl or interntionl conferences. Informtion systems Austrlin txonomists use high-qulity informtion systems, including published scientific ppers, books, CD-Roms, keys, checklists nd online dtbses nd txonomy tools. Online Zoologicl Collections of Austrlin Museums (OZCAM - Austrli s Fun) is n online distributed network of dtbses tht contin informtion bout the funl (niml) collections held in Austrlin museums nd other institutions, such s CSIRO. This fcility is newly opertionl nd is not yet hevily populted with dt. The Austrlin herbri re working collbortively on 5-yer project to develop Austrli's Virtul Herbrium (AVH), which is n on-line botnicl informtion resource ccessible vi the web. It provides immedite ccess to the welth of dt ssocited with scientific plnt specimens in ech Austrlin herbrium. Imges, descriptive text nd identifiction tools will enhnce six million specimen records, which re of prticulr vlue in displying geogrphic distribution. It is being developed under the uspices of the Council of Heds of Austrlin Herbri (CHAH), representing the mjor Austrlin collections. A number of other botnicl dtbses cn be viewed t As described bove, the Austrlin Biologicl Diversity Informtion Fcility (ABIF) portl is currently under development. This will be stble computing gtewy tht llows rel-time interopertionl serch of multiple institutionl, ntionl, regionl nd/or subregionl dtbses contining primry or met-level biodiversity dt (such s specimen records, ctlogues, bibliogrphic, sequence, protein nd ecosystem dt). It will provide links to AVH nd OZCAM s well s other significnt Austrlin biodiversity informtion providers. Austrlin institutions work closely on development of stndrd, ccepted nmes for biologicl tx. ABRS is currently working on the development of n online mster nmes checklist, for use in the ABIF portl, nd by ll Austrlin scientific institutions. Austrli endorses nd continues to support the development of protocols nd strtegies for coordinting ccess to nd distribution of txonomic informtion contined in collections. Austrli's Genetic Resources Becuse of their dpttion to locl conditions nd their integrtion into nturl ecosystems, Austrlin ntive plnts form vluble source of genes tht could be utilised to improve griculturl nd industril productivity. The Centre mintins close reltionship with the Austrlin Ntionl Botnic Grdens whose living collections comprise lmost one-third of the Austrlin flor. This welth of genetic mteril is vilble for reserch s well s for disply. 25.? Is your country investing on long-term bsis in the development of pproprite infrstructure for your ntionl txonomic collections? (Decision IV/1) b) Yes (plese provide detils below) X Further informtion on investment on long-term bsis in the development of pproprite infrstructure for your ntionl txonomic collections. See question 24 bove. Also: Under the Ntionl Mrine Bioregionlistion Work Progrm two dt colltion projects hve resulted in updted ntionl txonomic collections. A ntionl demersl fish dtbse nd tropicl sponge dtbse hve been developed with txonomic dt collected from vrious 112

113 Austrlin museums nd reserch orgniztions. These dtbses will eventully be mde vilble to the public through the Online Zoologicl Ctlogue of Austrlin Museums distributed dtbse of txonomic collections being developed by Austrlin museums with finncil ssistnce for the Ntionl Ocens Office. 26.? Does your country provide trining progrmmes in txonomy nd work to increse its cpcity of txonomic reserch? (Decision IV/1) b) Yes (plese provide detils below) X Further informtion on trining progrmmes in txonomy nd efforts to increse the cpcity of txonomic reserch. See question 24 bove. Also: The Austrlin Government s Student Botnicl Internship Progrm is designed to llow students of botny, environmentl science nd relted subjects the opportunity for substntive scientific work experience in the Austrlin Ntionl Herbrium nd Centre for Plnt Biodiversity Reserch (CPBR) in Cnberr, Austrli. Interns ssist with vrious Centre progrms nd receive both tsk-specific trining nd generl botnicl trining. Work sessions re designed to give students feel for life in the scientific workforce. Trining sessions complement university studies with both botnicl nd generl workforce-skills components. The Progrm runs for seven weeks full-time over Jnury nd Februry nd covers vriety of topics. 27.? Hs your country tken steps to ensure tht institutions responsible for biologicl diversity inventories nd txonomic ctivities re finncilly nd dministrtively stble? (Decision IV/1) b) No, but steps re being considered c) Yes, for some institutions d) Yes, for ll mjor institutions X See question 24 bove. 28.* 5 Is your country collborting with the existing regionl, subregionl nd globl inititives, prtnerships nd institutions in crrying out the progrmme of work, including ssessing regionl txonomic needs nd identifying regionl-level priorities? (Decision VI/8) b) No, but collbortive progrmmes re under development c) Yes, some collbortive progrmmes re being implemented (plese provide detils bout collbortive progrmmes, including results of regionl needs ssessments) X 113

114 d) Yes, comprehensive collbortive progrmmes re being implemented (plese provide detils bout collbortive progrmmes, including results of regionl needs ssessment nd priority identifiction) Further informtion on the collbortion your country is crrying out to implement the progrmme of work for the GTI, including regionl needs ssessment nd priority identifiction. See Question 24 bove. Austrli hs prticipted in orgnising two Regionl GTI Workshops the first ws in Mlysi in 2002 nd the second in Wellington, New Zelnd in October More thn 60 prticipnts ttended the 2 nd GTI Regionl Workshop, nerly ll from the Asi Pcific Region nd the mjority from developing countries. Prticipnts were sked to complete questionnire to help provide further informtion bout txonomic needs nd to ssist identifying regionl-level priorities. Informtion ws provided t the 2 nd Regionl Workshop bout the GTI nd finncil id mechnisms for GTI ctivities. Presenttions were given bout existing regionl networks for biodiversity reserch nd informtion (PACINET, SPREP, ASEANET, EASINET, Species 2000) nd how these might ssist in future GTI regionl ctivities. Prticipnts identified possible biodiversity projects to be developed in their country/region, nd then discussed wys of expnding or collborting with other groups to enhnce their project, improve cpcity nd develop dt collection nd mngement tools. Prticipnts recognised some importnt cross-cutting issues common to ll their projects, including control of invsive species, recording trditionl biodiversity informtion, nd trining for txonomists nd prtxonomists. Austrli recognises tht it hs n importnt role to ply in these ctivities. Mny Austrlin institutions hold specimens nd dt from countries in the Asi-Pcific. Austrli shres common interest to ensure the spred of invsive species is contined nd the biodiversity of our region is protected nd mnged; nd Austrli hs the resources, skills nd technology to ssist in the development of txonomic cpcity in our region. 29. * Hs your country mde n ssessment of txonomic needs nd cpcities t the ntionl level for the implementtion of the Convention? (Annex to decision VI/8) b) Yes, bsic ssessment mde (plese provide below list of needs nd cpcities identified) X See question 24 bove. c) Yes, thorough ssessment mde (plese provide below list of needs nd cpcities identified) Further comments on ntionl ssessment of txonomic needs nd cpcities. ABRS hs conducted two surveys of txonomists working in key institutions to ssess our txonomic needs nd cpcities. The informtion from the more recent survey is not yet vilble for publiction. 114

115 30. * Is your country working on regionl or globl cpcity building to support ccess to, nd genertion of, txonomic informtion in collbortion with other Prties? (Annex to decision VI/8) b) Yes, relevnt progrmmes re under development c) Yes, some ctivities re being undertken for this purpose (plese provide detils below) X d) Yes, mny ctivities re being undertken for this purpose (plese provide detils below) Further comments on regionl or globl cpcity-building to support ccess to, nd genertion of, txonomic informtion in collbortion with other Prties. See Questions 24 & 28 bove 31. * Hs your country developed txonomic support for the implementtion of the progrmmes of work under the Convention s clled upon in decision VI/8? (Annex to decision VI/8) b) Yes, for forest biodiversity (plese provide detils below) X c) Yes, for mrine nd costl biodiversity (plese provide detils below) X d) Yes, for dry nd sub-humid lnds (plese provide detils below) X e) Yes, for inlnd wters biodiversity (plese provide detils below) X f) Yes, for mountin biodiversity (plese provide detils below) X g) Yes, for protected res (plese provide detils below) X h) Yes, for griculturl biodiversity (plese provide detils below) X i) Yes, for islnd biodiversity (plese provide detils below) Further comments on the development of txonomic support for the implementtion of the progrmmes of work under the Convention. See Questions 21 & 24 bove nd further comment below: Austrli hs developed comprehensive progrm of txonomic support for ll res of biologicl reserch nd mngement. At the sme time, gps remin, prticulrly in reltion to vegettion. The Austrlin Ntive Vegettion Assessment 2001 identified the need to ddress edge mtching nd equivlence issues rising from the compiltion of disprte vegettion dtsets. (see - int) The Executive Steering Committee for Austrlin Vegettion Informtion (ESCAVI) hs recognised this s high priority work through endorsement of the Austrlin Government NVIS Business Pln. Over the lst 2 yers, Ntionl Vegettion Informtion System (NVIS) collbortors hve ddressed ttribute consistency nd structurl issues in the NVIS (2000) dtbse. NVIS now hs stndrdised terminology for comprison of vegettion descriptions. 115

116 In ddressing equivlence between vegettion types, key inputs include the floristic composition, vegettion structure, remote sensing sources nd the methods used to clssify nd mp vegettion types. With respect to floristic composition, informtion providers need to work, t present, with the vrious species concepts used by vegettion mppers t the time of dt collection. Some species nmes my need to be stndrdised to ensure comprbility between vegettion types from different dtsets. A recent review of NVIS species nmes in reltion to the Species Profile nd Threts (SPRAT) dtbse indicted tht pproximtely 5% of the 3600 species nmes used in NVIS to be non-current. This my hve occurred becuse of: spelling errors nd other nomenclturl inconsistencies; old vegettion survey dt, using outdted species concepts; differing species concepts between vegettion surveyors; nd observer differences in their bility to identify plnt specimens. These re similr issues to those being ddressed in the development of the Austrli's Virtul Herbrium (AVH). Through the AVH on-line query tool, mp of the distribution of ech species will be generted from distributed dtbse of plnt specimen dt. The AVH is designed to ensure tht herbri in ech jurisdiction re ble to meet the informtion needs of vegettion surveyors nd contribute to development of sustinble systems nd processes to mnge txonomic issues in the NVIS. Current work is ddressing the most importnt of number of spects of equivlence, in the hope tht work t this level cn void much more expensive nd resource intensive continent scle vegettion re-mpping to fully resolve edge-mtching issues. (b) Mngement of forest biodiversity in Austrli is primrily the responsibility of stte governments. Regionl Forest Agreements (RFAs), struck between the Austrlin Government nd the Sttes of Tsmni, Victori, NSW nd Western Austrli in production forest res develop inventories of forest species s prt of stndrd mngement prctices underpinning the Comprehensive Regionl Assessments (CRAs) required for negotition of ech RFA. (c) Thorough ssessment of Austrli s mrine nd costl biodiversity is underwy. A survey of more thn 40 ports ws undertken over the pst decde is providing vst nd potentilly very vluble survey of Austrli s mrine biodiversity. Efforts re underwy to integrte this informtion into ntionl dtbse. (d-f) see bove. See lso nd g) On protected res, species inventory bsed on scientific evidence hs been estblished for species of conservtion concern in Commonwelth reserves. The inventory is bsed on n nnotted bibliogrphy of ll reserch undertken on these species. The suite of species of conservtion concern in ech protected re re rnked ccording to requirements for mngement interventions nd results re used in preprtion of mngement plns nd nnul reporting. h) The Austrlin Government (Dept of Agriculture Fisheries nd Forestry) is working to substntilly develop provision of txonomic support, (prticulrly on invsive species) for mintennce of griculturl biodiversity (see lso 116

117 32. * Hs your country developed txonomic support for the implementtion of the cross-cutting issues under the Convention s clled upon in decision VI/8? b) Yes, for ccess nd benefit-shring (plese provide detils below) X c) Yes, for Article 8(j) (plese provide detils below) X d) Yes, for the ecosystem pproch (plese provide detils below) X e) Yes, for impct ssessment, monitoring nd indictors (plese provide detils below) X f) Yes, for invsive lien species (plese provide detils below) X g) Yes, for others (plese provide detils below) Further comments on the development of txonomic support for the implementtion of the crosscutting issues under the Convention. See question 31 bove. Also the Species Profile nd Threts (SPRAT) dtbse is designed to provide informtion bout species nd ecologicl communities listed under the Environment Protection nd Biodiversity Conservtion Act It provides informtion on wht the species looks like, its popultion nd distribution, hbitt, movements, feeding, reproduction nd txonomy. The informtion hs been compiled by summrising informtion from rnge of sources nd contributors. At this stge profiles re not vilble for ll species nd ecologicl communities, but will be regulrly dded to the dtbse see sprt@deh.gov.u. The SPRAT dtbse is bsed upon nd formulted on species nd hbitt modelling profiles nd is n excellent resource for providing n pproximtion of species existence, rnge nd extent. It needs to be confirmed by on-ground reserch, however. At the sme time, it is believed to be the only continent wide species informtion system. 117

118 Article 8 - In-situ conservtion [excluding prgrphs () to (e), (h) nd (j)] 33.? On Article 8(i), hs your country endevored to provide the conditions needed for comptibility between present uses nd the conservtion of biologicl diversity nd sustinble use of its components? b) No, but potentil mesures re being identified c) Yes, some mesures undertken (plese provide detils below) X d) Yes, comprehensive me sures undertken (plese provide detils below) Further comments on the mesures tken to provide the conditions needed for comptibility between present uses nd the conservtion of biologicl diversity nd sustinble use of its components. Austrli uses combintion of lw, coopertive rrngements in the federl politicl structure nd incentive nd mrket bsed mesures to relize comptibility between resource use nd biodiversity conservtion. Ntionl mtters of environmentl nd biodiversity significnce re subject to legisltion under the EPBC Act. Coopertive federlism on the environment is mnged through bodies such s the Council of Austrlin Governments (COAG) nd vrious Austrlin Government/Stte Ministeril Councils, prticulrly the Nturl Resource Mngement Ministeril Council, co-chired by the Ministers of Environment & Heritge nd Agriculture Fisheries nd Forestry. Centrl to these coopertive efforts t present is The Ntionl Action Pln for Slinity nd Wter Qulity (NAP) nd The Nturl Heritge Trust (NHT). Both re mjor progrms imed t protecting nd conserving environment nd nturl resources, nd re jointly delivered t the regionl level. ( The NAP nd NHT progrms re driven by single regionl pln, developed by locl communities nd supported by Government nd the best vilble science to improve nturl resources on regionl scle. (see publictions pge). Incentive mesures re offered through vriety of mens, both monetry nd non-monetry. Exmples rnge from fishing fleet licence buy-bck schemes, schemes for the purchse or perpetul lese of forest lnd of biodiversity significnce (especilly in Tsmni under the Regionl Forest Agreement), incentives to ppropritely mnge privte lnd in designted biodiversity hot-spot res, tx incentives to encourge conservtion covennts, nd lnd for wildlife nd bush tender schemes, prticulrly in the stte of Victori. Work is lso in progress on incentive mesures to protect the Gret Brrier Reef from lnd bsed pollution. 118

119 34.? On Article 8(k), hs your country developed or mintined the necessry legisltion nd/or other regultory provisions for the protection of thretened species nd popultions? b) No, but legisltion is being developed c) Yes, legisltion or other mesures re in plce (plese provide detils below) X Further informtion on the legisltion nd/or regultions for the protection of thretened species nd popultions. Ntionl mtters of environmentl nd biodiversity significnce re subject to legisltion under the EPBC Act. This legisltion provides, for ntionl endngered species listings nd recovery ctions. Sttes nd some territories hve their own environment legisltion, which generlly includes provision for stte/territory listings nd species recovery plns specific to the environmentl mngement nd policy priorities of ech provincil dministrtion. See lso: 35.? On Article 8(l), does your country regulte or mnge processes nd ctegories of ctivities identified under Article 7 s hving significnt dverse effects on biologicl diversity? b) No, but relevnt processes nd ctegories of ctivities being identified c) Yes, to limited extent (plese provide detils below) d) Yes, to significnt extent (plese provide detils below) X Further comments on the regultion or mngement of the processes nd ctegories of ctivities identified by Article 7 s hving significnt dverse effects on biodiversity. See Trget 2.1 nd Questions 21 & 24 bove. Box XLIV. Plese elborte below on the implementtion of this rticle nd ssocited decisions specificlly focusing on: ) outcomes nd impcts of ctions tken; b) contribution to the chievement of the gols of the Strtegic Pln of the Convention; c) contribution to progress towrds the 2010 trget; d) progress in implementing ntionl biodiversity strtegies nd ction plns; e) contribution to the chievement of the Millennium Development Gols; f) constrints encountered in implementtion See Box XLII bove. 119

120 Progrmme of Work on Protected Ares (Article 8 () to (e)) 36. Hs your country estblished suitble time bound nd mesurble ntionl-level protected res trgets nd indictors? (Decision VII/28) (plese specify resons) b) No, but relevnt work is under wy c) Yes, some trgets nd indictors estblished (plese provide detils below) X d) Yes, comprehensive trgets nd indictors estblished (plese provide detils below) Further comments on trgets nd indictors for protected res. Further informtion on Protected Ares under Trget 1.2, bove. For informtion on Indictors, see Trget 1.1(V) bove. The Ntionl Objectives nd Trgets for Biodiversity Conservtion (NOTs) provide spirtionl trgets, guided by time lines, for biodiversity conservtion (see especilly trgets 1-3 (ntive vegettion nd terrestril ecosystems, freshwter nd mrine nd esturine ecosystems) nd 6 sustinble grzing nd thretened ntive grsslnds). (See More bout the Ntionl Objectives nd For exmple, by 2004 representtive smple of ech bioregion ws to be protected within the Ntionl Reserve System or the network of Indigenous Protected Ares, or s privte lnd mnged for conservtion, under conservtion greement. Work continues to meet this trget. All jurisdictions in Austrli hve greed to the development of comprehensive, dequte nd representtive (CAR) protected re system. This hs been most recently endorsed in the crossjurisdictionl publiction Directions for the Ntionl Reserve System A Prtnership Approch, (Nturl Resource Mngement Ministeril Council, Commonwelth of Austrli, 2005). This document identifies ntionl-level protected re trgets, which re: By exmples of t lest 80% of the number of extnt regionl ecosystems in ech bioregion to be represented in protected res (comprehensiveness), nd by exmples of t lest 80% of the number of extnt regionl ecosystems in ech sub-region to be represented in protected res (representtiveness). A review of progress towrds CAR trgets is currently underwy. The Collbortive Austrlin Protected Ares Dtbse (CAPAD) In order to ssess the extent of the Ntionl Reserve System nd Ntionl Representtive System of Mrine Protected Ares, the Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge colltes dtbse of protected res nmed the Collbortive Austrlin Protected Ares Dtbse (CAPAD). CAPAD, through the supply of sptil nd ttribute informtion, is ntionl dtset of ll declred protected res in Austrli tht hve been llocted n IUCN ctegory. Updtes of the CAPAD dtset is undertken binnully. CAPAD dtsets were produced in 1997, 1999/2000 nd CAPAD 2004 is in the process of being compiled. (see 120

121 37. Hs your country tken ction to estblish or expnd protected res in ny lrge or reltively unfrgmented nturl re or res under high thret, including securing thretened species? (Decision VII/28) b) No, but relevnt progrmmes re under development c) Yes, limited ctions tken (plese provide detils below) d) Yes, significnt ctions tken (plese provide detils below) X Further comments on ctions tken to estblish or expnd protected res. Austrli is committed to estblishing CRA ntionl reserve system cross the continent. the Ntionl Reserve System (NRS: ims to contin smples of ll ecosystems identified t n pproprite regionl scle; ims to contin res which re refugi or centres of species richness or endemicity; consider the ecologicl requirements of rre or thretened species nd rre or thretened ecologicl communities nd ecosystems, in prticulr those listed in the Environment Protection nd Biodiversity Conservtion Act 1999 nd other Stte, Territory nd locl government legisltion or policy instruments; nd tkes ccount of specil groups of orgnisms, e.g. species with specilised hbitt requirements or wide - rnging or migrtory species, or species vulnerble to thretening processes tht my depend on reservtion for their conservtion. In this context, priority for the estblishment of new protected res is being given to lrge, vible res in high priority bioregions, nd where this is not possible, estblishing networks of protected res to ssist in vibility of ecosystems. Guidnce for selection of res for inclusion in the ntionl reserve system is found in Austrlin Guidelines for Estblishing the Ntionl Reserve System (Commonwelth of Austrli, 1999); see: Hs your country tken ny ction to ddress the under representtion of mrine nd inlnd wter ecosystems in the existing ntionl or regionl systems of protected res? (Decision VII/28) b) Not pplicble c) No, but relevnt ctions re being considered d) Yes, limited ctions tken (plese provide detils below) e) Yes, significnt ctions tken (plese provide detils below) Further comments on ctions tken to ddress the under representtion of mrine nd inlnd wter ecosystems in the existing ntionl or regionl systems of protected res. Mrine In the erly 1990s Austrlin governments identified need to protect representtive exmples of the full rnge of mrine ecosystems nd hbitts in mrine protected res. They greed to estblish CRA system of protected res covering Austrli's exclusive economic zone. The system ims to contribute to the long-term ecologicl vibility of mrine nd esturine systems, to 121

122 mintin ecologicl processes nd systems, nd to protect Austrli's biologicl diversity t ll levels. All Austrlin jurisdictions re working together to set up Ntionl Representtive System of Mrine Protected Ares (NRSMPA) throughout the entire mrine jurisdiction. By the end of 2002 the NRSMPA covered pproximtely 64,600,000 hectres or 7% of Austrli's mrine jurisdiction, excluding the Austrlin Antrctic Territory (AAT), nd just just over 900,000,000 hectres including the AAT, in 192 reserves. Inlnd wter ecosystems Since submission of the lst ntionl report in 2001, severl new mrine nd costl nd freshwter reserves hve been estblished. Those estblished s Rmsr listed sites re: Mrine & Costl protected re Ashmore Reef Ntionl Nture Reserve MPA Elizbeth nd Middleton Reefs Mrine Ntionl Nture Reserve MPA Corl Se Reserves MPA Fresh nd inlnd wter protected re Edithvle-Seford Wetlnds Bnrock Sttion Wetlnds Complex Fivebough nd Tuckerbil Swmps The Dles (Christms Islnd Indin Ocen Territory) Centrl Murry Stte Forests Administering uthority Dte of cretion Victorin Government August 2001 Austrlin Government October 2002 South Austrlin Government October 2002 Austrlin Government October 2002 Austrlin Government October 2002 NSW Government October 2002 Austrlin Government October 2002 NSW Government My 2003 In ddition, 53 new non Rmsr listed wetlnd sites hve been inscribed since the 2001 Ntionl Report. Stte Costl Inlnd Totl NSW Queenslnd South Austrli

123 Comprehensive, dequte nd representtive smples of inlnd wter ecosystems re included in the ctions nd trgets in the development of ntionl reserve system s outlined bove, nd re specificlly ddressed in Directions for the Ntionl Reserve System. See lso: Hs your country identified nd implemented prcticl steps for improving the integrtion of protected res into broder lnd nd sescpes, including policy, plnning nd other mesures? (Decision VII/28) b) No, but some progrmmes re under development c) Yes, some steps identified nd implemented (plese provide detils below) X d) Yes, mny steps identified nd implemented (plese provide detils below) Further comments on prcticl steps for improving integrtion of protected res into broder lnd nd sescpes, including policy, plnning nd other mesures. Directions for the Ntionl Reserve System recognizes tht for protected res to be effective, they must be mnged s prt of the broder lndscpe. The current focus in Austrli of integrted nturl resource mngement plnning provides opportunity to identify mechnisms for improved integrtion of protected res within the broder lndscpe. Directions for the Ntionl Reserve System recognizes tht these mechnisms will not necessrily of themselves be protected res, but my be identified through mechnisms consistent with Austrli s pproch towrds ecologiclly sustinble development. A number of jurisdictions re lso developing plns for vegettion linkges cross the lndscpe, to ssist in greter connectivity of protected res to other res of vegettion in the broder lndscpe. In ddition, Austrli prticiptes in the Mn nd the Biosphere Progrm. A Ntionl Prks nd Protected Are Mngement Committee hs been estblished under the Nturl Resource Mngement Ministeril Council. Its purpose is "to provide n inter- Governmentl mechnism for identifiction nd resolution of prk nd protected re mngement issues t Ntionl level cross Austrli nd New Zelnd". The Committee comprises representtives of ech stte nd territory prk service, the Austrlin Government Deprtment of Environment nd Heritge nd New Zelnd's Deprtment of Conservtion. (See Agency Links). The Committee hs forml nd structured benchmrking nd best prctice progrm, concentrting on the development of best prctice models for protected re mngement. The Committee provides the mechnism for guiding protected res mngers on improved integrtion of reserve systems into the surrounding lndscpe. A series of reports, ech one deling with prticulr spect of protected re mngement, hs been prepred under the progrm. Detils of completed reports nd those underwy re vilble on the Best Prctice Reports pge. See, for exmple the 1997 report on Stkeholder Mngement (Neighbour Reltions) prepred by the NSW Ntionl Prks nd Wildlife Service. 123

124 40. Is your country pplying environmentl impct ssessment guidelines to projects or plns for evluting effects on protected res? (Decision VII/28) b) No, but relevnt EIA guidelines re under development c) Yes, EIA guidelines re pplied to some projects or plns (plese provide detils below) d) Yes, EIA guidelines re pplied to ll relevnt projects or plns (plese provide detils below) Further comments on ppliction of environmentl impct ssessment guidelines to projects or plns for evluting effects on protected res. Protected res estblished through jurisdictionl legisltive mechnism hve supporting legl nd policy instrume nts to ssist in preventing impcts to the vlues of protected res. In ddition to these, the EPBC Act requires ssessment of ll proposls tht re likely to hve significnt impct on mtter of ntionl environmentl significnce World Heritge properties, Rmsr wetlnds, ntionlly thretened species nd ecologicl communities, migrtory species, Commonwelth mrine res nd nucler ctions. The Act lso includes provision to ensure rigorous ssessment of proposls tht my hve n impct on Commonwelth reserve. 41. Hs your country identified legisltive nd institutionl gps nd brriers tht impede effective estblishment nd mngement of protected res? (Decision VII/28) b) No, but relevnt work is under wy X c) Yes, some gps nd brriers identified (plese provide detils below)) d) Yes, mny gps nd brriers identified (plese provide detils below) Further comments on identifiction of legisltive nd institutionl gps nd brriers tht impede effective estblishment nd mngement of protected res. All jurisdictions hve greed, through implementtion of Directions for the Ntionl Reserve System, to conduct review of legisltion, including covennting rrngements nd legisltion relevnt to lesehold lnds, nd if necessry tke ction to ensure there is cler nexus between enbling legisltion nd reserve system objectives (Direction 19). In ddition, jurisdictions hve greed to investigte ppliction of relevnt lws to ssist in protection of vlues on Indigenous Protected Ares nd Privte Protected Ares (Direction 33). 124

125 42. Hs your country undertken ntionl protected-re cpcity needs ssessments nd estblished cpcity building progrmmes? (Decision VII/28) b) No, but ssessments re under wy c) Yes, bsic ssessment undertken nd some progrmmes estblished (plese provide detils below) X d) Yes, thorough ssessment undertken nd comprehensive progrmmes estblished (plese provide detils below) Further comments on protected-re cpcity needs ssessment nd estblishment of cpcity building progrmmes. Jurisdictions from time to time undertke their own institutionl ssessments of cpcity needs nd introduce progrms to ddress those needs. Austrli hs number of estblished for (such s Heds of Conservtion Agencies) to shre experience mongst jurisdictions. In ddition, Directions for the Ntionl Reserve System identifies the need to estblish cpcity building progrms for nongovernment mngers of protected res, nd the Austrlin Government is working with jurisdictions to identify wys to do this. Austrlin governments t the ntionl nd regionl level hve greed on the ctions necessry to develop the Ntionl Representtive System of Mrine Protected Ares (NRSMPA). See the Strtegic Pln of Action for the Ntionl Representtive System of Mrine Protected Ares: A Guide for Action by Austrlin Governments. 43. Is your country implementing country-level sustinble finncing plns tht support ntionl systems of protected res? (Decision VII/28) b) No, but relevnt pln is under development c) Yes, relevnt pln is in plce (plese provide detils below) X d) Yes, relevnt pln is being implemented (plese provide detils below) Further comments on implementtion of country-level sustinble finncing plns tht support ntionl systems of protected res. Government uthorities lrgely finnce Austrli s system of protected res, which budget nnully for their mintennce. In ddition, since 1993, the Austrlin Government, in coopertion with the Stte nd Territory Governments, hs run grnts progrm, entitled the Ntionl Reserve System Progrm, to help further develop the NRS. 125

126 44. Is your country implementing pproprite methods, stndrds, criteri nd indictors for evluting the effectiveness of protected res mngement nd governnce? (Decision VII/28) b) No, but relevnt methods, stndrds, criteri nd indictors re under development c) Yes, some ntionl methods, stndrds, criteri nd indictors developed nd in use (plese provide detils below) X d) Yes, some ntionl methods, stndrds, criteri nd indictors developed nd in use nd some interntionl methods, stndrds, criteri nd indictors in use (plese provide detils below) Further comments on methods, stndrds, criteri nd indictors for evluting the effectiveness of protected res mngement nd governnce. See Question 40 bove. The Strtegic Pln of Action for the Ntionl Representtive System of Mrine Protected Ares provides guidnce to ll jurisdictions regrding the estblishment of ntionlly consistent performnce ssessment frmework. Box XLV. Plese elborte below on the implementtion of this rticle nd ssocited decisions specificlly focusing on: ) outcomes nd impcts of ctions tken; b) contribution to the chievement of the gols of the Strtegic Pln of the Convention; c) contribution to progress towrds the 2010 trget; d) progress in implementing ntionl biodiversity strtegies nd ction plns; e) contribution to the chievement of the Millennium Development Gols; f) constrints encountered in implementtion. See Box XLII bove. 126

127 Article 8(h) - Alien species 45. Hs your country identified lien species introduced into its territory nd estblished system for trcking the introduction of lien species? b) Yes, some lien species identified but trcking system not yet estblished x d) Yes, lien species of mjor concern identified nd trcking system in plce 46.? Hs your country ssessed the risks posed to ecosystems, hbitts or species by the introduction of these lien species? b) Yes, but only for some lien species of concern (plese provide detils below) c) Yes, for most lien species (plese provide detils below) X Further informtion on the ssessment of the risks posed to ecosystems, hbitts or species by the introduction of these lien species. Terrestril IAS For Terrestril IAS, see Trget 6.1, nd lso GSPC Trgets 2.1 nd Question 10 bove. Mrine IAS A comprehensive Ntionl System for the Prevention nd Mngement of Mrine Pest Incursions is under development (see Trget 6.1, nd for further informtion). 47.? Hs your country undertken mesures to prevent the introduction of, control or erdicte, those lien species which threten ecosystems, hbitts or species? b) No, but potentil mesures re under considertion c) Yes, some mesures re in plce (plese provide detils below) d) Yes, comprehensive mesures re in plce (plese provide detils below) X Further informtion on the mesures to prevent the introduction of, control or erdicte those lien species tht threten ecosystems, hbitts or species. Comprehensive mesures re in plce to prevent the introduction of potentilly invsive species see Trget 6.1, lso Trgets 2.1 nd 10 (GSPC) nd Question 46, bove. 127

128 48.? In deling with the issue of invsive species, hs your country developed, or involved itself in, mechnisms for interntionl coopertion, including the exchnge of best prctices? (Decision V/8) b) Yes, bilterl coopertion c) Yes, regionl nd/or subregionl coopertion d) Yes, multilterl coopertion E.g.: through the Northern Austrli Qurntine Strtegy See Trget 6.1 bove nd Q55 below See Trget 6.1 bove nd Q55 below 49.? Is your country using the ecosystem pproch nd precutionry nd bio-geogrphicl pproches s pproprite in its work on lien invsive species? (Decision V/8) b) Yes (plese provide detils below) x Further comments on the use of the ecosystem pproch nd precutionry nd bio-geogrphicl pproches in work on lien invsive species. See Trget 6.1 bove. See lso: NOTs Trget 4 Control Invsive Species nd; Environmentl Biotechnology Coopertive Reserch Centre for Pest Animl Control. CSIRO - Entomology 50. Hs your country identified ntionl needs nd priorities for the implementtion of the Guiding Principles? (Decision VI/23) 6 See below b) No, but needs nd priorities re being identified c) Yes, ntionl needs nd priorities hve been identified (plese provide below list of needs nd priorities identified) Further comments on the identifiction of ntionl needs nd priorities for the implementtion of the Guiding Principles. Austrli supports the environmentl objectives of the CBD s work on Invsive Alien Species (IAS) s mndted in Article 8(h) of the Convention. Indeed, Austrli, with New Zelnd, originlly proposed the CBD s work on IAS, nd jointly uthored the originl drft of the Guiding Principles on Invsive 6 Austrli would like to remind tht ll references to CBD Decision VI/23 should be footnoted s follows: One representtive entered forml objection during the process leding to the doption of this decision nd underlined tht he did not believe tht the Conference of the Prties could legitimtely dopt motion or text with forml objection in plce. A few representtives expressed reservtions regrding the procedure leding to the doption of this decision (see UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20, prs ). 128

129 Alien Species. However, t the Sixth Conference of the Prties (COP 6), in the Netherlnds in 2002, the Guiding Principles were dopted over Austrli s forml objection over three spects. Accordingly, CBD documents referring to the Guiding Principles re footnoted to reflect the concerns expressed over the procedure leding to the doption of Decision VI/23 7. (We note tht the CBD ntionl report proform hs neglected to observe this obligtion). Austrli cnnot ccept lnguge on these three spects of the Guiding Principles. Definition of the precutionry pproch The tretment of the precutionry pproch in the current COP 6 Decision VI/23 8 goes well beyond the definition greed in Principle 15 of the UN Rio Declrtion on Environment nd Development. The Rio definition ws reffirmed t Hed of Government level t the World Summit on Sustinble Development in South Afric in Austrli is not opposed to the exercise of precution. In fct the The Environment Protection nd Biodiversity Conservtion Act 1999 includes the text of Rio Principle 15. Burden of proof The burden of proof provision in Principle 10 of the current VI/23 disputed text, which plces the onus on the country of export, shifts the blnce in WTO Members rights nd obligtions. Under the WTO Agreement on the Appliction of Snitry nd Phytosnitry Mesures the country of import is required to bse its mesures on risk ssessments. In cses where relevnt scientific evidence is insufficient, the country of import my provisionlly dopt snitry or phytosnitry mesures on the bsis of vilble pertinent informtion. In such circumstnces, the importing country shll seek to obtin the dditionl informtion necessry for more objective ssessment of risk nd review the mesure within resonble period of time. The SPS Agreement lso sttes tht exporting countries climing tht res within their territories re pest- or disese-free res or res of low pest or disese prevlence shll provide the necessry evidence in order to objectively demonstrte to the importing country tht such res re, nd re likely to remin, pest- or disese-free res or res of low pest or disese prevlence. From prcticl perspective, it is the country of import tht is best plced to ssess the full extent of the potentil environmentl nd other impcts of the introduction of n lien species, including through qurntine mesures. In Austrli, this principle is pplied ntionlly lso since ntive species cn become invsive in n re where they previously do not occur. Risk ssessment Austrli is concerned tht the chrcteristion of risk nlysis, which includes tking into ccount socio-economic nd culturl considertions, my be interpreted to undermine the scientific underpinnings of risk ssessment nd risk mngement processes s set out under interntionl trde rules. Austrli, s megdiverse islnd continent, recognizes only too well the threts invsive lien species pose nd the importnce of cler guidelines to ssist Prties to prevent or mitigte their 7 Austrli would like to remind tht ll references to CBD Decision VI/23 should be footnoted s follows: One representtive entered forml objection during the process leding to the doption of this decision nd underlined tht he did not believe tht the Conference of the Prties could legitimtely dopt motion or text with forml objection in plce. A few representtives expressed reservtions regrding the procedure leding to the doption of this decision (see UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20, prs ). 8 Austrli would like to remind tht ll references to CBD Decision VI/23 should be footnoted s follows: One representtive entered forml objection during the process leding to the doption of this decision nd underlined tht he did not believe tht the Conference of the Prties could legitimtely dopt motion or text with forml objection in plce. A few representtives expressed reservtions regrding the procedure leding to the doption of this decision (see UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20, prs ). 9 Austrli would like to remind tht ll references to CBD Decision VI/23 should be footnoted s follows: One representtive entered forml objection during the process leding to the doption of this decision nd underlined tht he did not believe tht the Conference of the Prties could legitimtely dopt motion or text with forml objection in plce. A few representtives expressed reservtions regrding the procedure leding to the doption of this decision (see UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20, prs ). 129

130 spred. Accordingly, Austrli continues to work ctively with interested Prties in order to resolve the substntive nd procedurl concerns relting to Decision VI/23 9. Austrli s work domesticlly in support of the environmentl objectives of the CBD s work on Invsive Alien Species cn be found under Trget 6.1, nd lso Trgets 2.1 nd 10 (GSPC) bove, nd inter li, t the following sites: Ntionl Weed Strtegy Ntionl Weed Assessment Joint SCC/SCFA ntionl tskforce on the prevention nd mngement of mrine pest incursions Ntionl Strtegy for the Conservtion of Austrli s Biologicl Diversity 51. Hs your country creted mechnisms to coordinte ntionl progrmmes for pplying the Guiding Principles? (Decision VI/23 10 ) See below b) No, but mechnisms re under development c) Yes, mechnisms re in plce (plese provide detils below) Further comments on the mechnisms creted to coordinte ntionl progrmmes for implementing the Guiding Principles. See Question 50 bove. 52. Hs your country reviewed relevnt policies, legisltion nd institutions in the light of the Guiding Principles, nd djusted or developed policies, legisltion nd institutions? (Decision VI/23 11 ) See below b) No, but review under wy c) Yes, review completed nd djustment proposed (plese provide detils below) d) Yes, djustment nd development ongoing e) Yes, some djustments nd development completed (plese provide detils below) Further informtion on the review, djustment or development of policies, legisltion nd institutions 10 Austrli would like to remind tht ll references to CBD Decision VI/23 should be footnoted s follows: One representtive entered forml objection during the process leding to the doption of this decision nd underlined tht he did not believe tht the Conference of the Prties could legitimtely dopt motion or text with forml objection in plce. A few representtives expressed reservtions regrding the procedure leding to the doption of this decision (see UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20, prs ). 11 Austrli would like to remind tht ll references to CBD Decision VI/23 should be footnoted s follows: One representtive entered forml objection during the process leding to the doption of this decision nd underlined tht he did not believe tht the Conference of the Prties could legitimtely dopt motion or text with forml objection in plce. A few representtives expressed reservtions regrding the procedure leding to the doption of this decision (see UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20, prs ). 130

131 in light of the Guiding Principles. See Question 50 bove. 53. Is your country enhncing coopertion between vrious sectors in order to improve prevention, erly detection, erdiction nd/or control of invsive lien species? (Decision VI/23 12 ) See below b) No, but potentil coordintion mechnisms re under considertion c) Yes, mechnisms re in plce (plese provide detils below) Further comments on coopertion between vrious sectors. See Question 50 bove. See lso Trget 6.1 bove nd Ntionl Weed Strtegy Ntionl Weed Assessment Ntionl Strtegy for the Conservtion of Austrli s Biologicl Diversity A Ntionl Ornmentl Fish Policy Working Group, hs been estblished under the Nturl Resource Mngement Stnding Committee. 54. Is your country collborting with trding prtners nd neighboring countries to ddress threts of invsive lien species to biodiversity in ecosystems tht cross interntionl boundries? (Decision VI/23 13 ) See below b) Yes, relevnt collbortive progrmmes re under development c) Yes, relevnt progrmmes re in plce (plese specify below the mesures tken for this purpose) Further comments on collbortion with trding prtners nd neighboring countries. See Question 50 bove. Austrli coopertes closely with the Governments of Ppu New Guine, Est Timor nd 12 Austrli would like to remind tht ll references to CBD Decision VI/23 should be footnoted s follows: One representtive entered forml objection during the process leding to the doption of this decision nd underlined tht he did not believe tht the Conference of the Prties could legitimtely dopt motion or text with forml objection in plce. A few representtives expressed reservtions regrding the procedure leding to the doption of this decision (see UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20, prs ). 13 Austrli would like to remind tht ll references to CBD Decision VI/23 should be footnoted s follows: One representtive entered forml objection during the process leding to the doption of this decision nd underlined tht he did not believe tht the Conference of the Prties could legitimtely dopt motion or text with forml objection in plce. A few representtives expressed reservtions regrding the procedure leding to the doption of this decision (see UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20, prs ). 131

132 Indonesi on qurntine nd invsive species mtters of concern (See Trget 6.1 bove). Austrli lso works very closely with New Zelnd. Both countries re members of the Asi Pcific Invsive Species network, which is prt of the Asi Pcific Forestry Commission. The two countries re lso exploring joint biosecurity reserch nd progrms, minly relted to griculture, but with potentil benefit for mngement of threts by invsive species to biodiversity. In 1994 the Austrlin Government opened the CSIRO Europen Lbortory on the Agropolis Interntionl Cmpus ner Montpellier. This reflected the fct tht mny of Austrli's pests nd weeds re from the Mediterrnen region, nd tht CSIRO hs been reserching bio-control gents for these species for decdes. The CSIRO Division of Entomology mnges the Lbortory. The Coopertive Reserch Centre (CRC) for Weed Mngement is working to enhnce the sustinbility of frming systems nd the conservtion sttus of nturl ecosystems cross Austrli using integrted weed mngement. The CRC hs estblished coopertive linkges in the Asi-Pcific region, southern Afric, the USA nd Europe. Detils of Ntionl nd interntionl linkges developed to dte by the Coopertive Reserch Centre for Austrlin Weeds Mngement cn be found t: The CRC for the Biologicl Control of Pest Animls Control is using the ltest developments in biotechnology to develop new gents for mnging pests. These gents will be cost effective, environmentlly friendly, will reduce the impct of the pest to cceptble levels, be more humne nd retin their effectiveness over time. The CRC hs estblished coopertive linkges with Frnce, New Zelnd, the USA nd the UK. Detils of ntionl nd interntionl linkges developed to dte by the CRC cn be found t: This CRC becme the new Austrlsin Invsive Animl CRC on 1 July Austrli is lso cooperting with the Globl Invsive Species Progrmme (GISP) pursunt to Trget 10 of the Globl Strtegy for Plnt Conservtion (GSPC), primrily on exchnges of informtion on Austrli s Weeds of Ntionl Significnce ssessment nd listings system, nd more recently on regionl mngement of mrine IAS. The Austrlin Government provides the current Chir of GISP (Dr Mrk Lonsdle of the CSIRO) Dr Lonsdle hs led negotitions on the new legl frmework for GISP s prtnership, involving globl orgnistions including IUCN nd CABI. 55. Is your country developing cpcity to use risk ssessment to ddress threts of invsive lien species to biodiversity nd incorporte such methodologies in environmentl impct ssessment (EIA) nd strtegic environmentl ssessment (SEA)? (Decision VI/23 14 ) *See below b) No, but progrmmes for this purpose re under development c) Yes, some ctivities for developing cpcity in this field re being undertken (plese provide detils below) 14 Austrli would like to remind tht ll references to CBD Decision VI/23 should be footnoted s follows: One representtive entered forml objection during the process leding to the doption of this decision nd underlined tht he did not believe tht the Conference of the Prties could legitimtely dopt motion or text with forml objection in plce. A few representtives expressed reservtions regrding the procedure leding to the doption of this decision (see UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20, prs ). 132

133 d) Yes, comprehensive ctivities re being undertken (plese provide detils below) X Further informtion on cpcity development to ddress threts of invsive lien species. *See Trget 6.1 nd Question 50 bove. Risk ssessment, qurntine nd import controls Under the EPBC Act live species tht does not pper on the list of specimens considered suitble for live import cnnot be imported. Before species cn be dded to this list it must undergo rigorous ssessment of its potentil risk to the environment. A drft risk ssessment report is prepred ginst greed terms of reference. This report is put out for public comment nd ll comment must be ddressed before the report is considered finl. With the Bureu of Rurl Sciences the Deprtment of the Environment nd Heritge hs recently developed quntittive risk ssessment models to ssist in determining the potentil environmentl risk of species proposed for import. Under the EPBC Act, ctions tht re likely to hve significnt impct on mtter of ntionl environmentl significnce re subject to rigorous referrl, ssessment, nd pprovl process. An ction includes project, development, undertking, ctivity, or series of ctivities. The Act, inter li, provides for: the identifiction of key thretening processes; protection of criticl hbitt; preprtion of recovery plns nd thret btement plns; nd the regultion of exports nd imports of live nimls nd plnts, wildlife specimens, nd products mde or derived from wildlife. The Austrlin Weeds Committee (AWC) [1] hs sked the Ntionl Lnd nd Wter Resources Audit to undertke, by 2006, ntionl ssessment of the extent, impct nd potentil threts of weeds on Austrli s productivity nd environment. [1] The Austrlin Weeds Committee comprises representtives of the Stte nd Territory Government gencies responsible for weed mngement nd other key stkeholder groups. The AWC s primry responsibility is to mnge the implementtion of the Ntionl Weeds Strtegy nd the greed pproch to reducing the impct of weeds on griculturl nd nturl systems. 56. Hs your country developed finncil mesures nd other policies nd tools to promote ctivities to reduce the threts of invsive species? (Decision VI/23 15 ) See below* b) No, but relevnt mesures nd policies re under development c) Yes, some mesures, policies nd tools re in plce (plese provide detils below) X d) Yes, comprehensive mesures nd tools re in plce (plese provide detils below) Further comments on the development of finncil mesures nd other policies nd tools for the promotion of ctivities to reduce the threts of invsive species. *See Question 50 bove. 15 Austrli would like to remind tht ll references to CBD Decision VI/23 should be footnoted s follows: One representtive entered forml objection during the process leding to the doption of this decision nd underlined tht he did not believe tht the Conference of the Prties could legitimtely dopt motion or text with forml objection in plce. A few representtives expressed reservtions regrding the procedure leding to the doption of this decision (see UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20, prs ). 133

134 Through the Nturl Heritge Trust, Austrli is developing nd implementing coordinted ctions to reduce dmge cused by ferl nimls to the nturl environment nd primry production. Ferl nimls re thought to be responsible for the loss nd decline of wide rnge of ntive species. The EPBC Act recognises, mong others, the following key processes s threts to Austrli s ntive species nd/or communities: Predtion by the Europen red fox Predtion by ferl cts Competition nd lnd degrdtion by ferl gots Competition nd lnd degrdtion by ferl rbbits, nd Predtion, hbitt degrdtion, competition nd disese trnsmission by ferl pigs Control strtegies include poison biting, shooting, trpping, den/burrow fumigtion, the relese of biologicl control gents nd exclusion fencing. Exclusion fencing for invsive vertebrtes hs been used on lrge scle since ttempts in the 1860s to hlt the spred of the Europen rbbit nd dingoes (Cnis lupus dingo) from pstorl res. Lrge-scle exclusion fencing is unique to Austrli nd is ttributble to terrin nd the possibility of excluding vermin species from res of humn settlement to the less inhbited interior of the continent. This technology is incresingly used to protect res of high conservtion vlue or to crete islnds of protected hbitt for ntive fun. It hs proven prticulrly vluble tool in iding the reintroduction of thretened species to res from which they hve been previously eliminted by thretening processes, including the predtory nd competitive impcts of ferl nimls. While ntive species listed under the Act, s thretened by ferl species, could benefit from exclusion fencing, but it is only one (nd reltively expensive) mesure, mongst others. Ntionl nd stte level finncil investments for protection from IAS therefore consider brod suite of options in drwing up ction plns. Through the Nturl Heritge Trust nd the Defeting the Weed Mence Progrm (2004), the Austrlin Government is funding reserch nd development, communiction ctivities nd onground ctions to reduce the current nd potentil impcts of weeds. The Progrm emphsises prevention of new weed problems through improved qurntine nd limiting nd educting ginst the sle in Austrli of weedy nd potentilly weedy plnt species. An ccelerted review of the plnt seed importtion list is underwy nd is due for completion in 2006.The Progrm encourges erly identifiction nd ction on new weed problems, by ensuring coordinted mngement ction nd ongoing monitoring. Box XLVI. Plese elborte below on the implementtion of this rticle nd ssocited decisions specificlly focusing on: ) outcomes nd impcts of ctions tken; b) contribution to the chievement of the gols of the Strtegic Pln of the Convention; c) contribution to progress towrds the 2010 trget; d) progress in implementing ntionl biodiversity strtegies nd ction plns; e) contribution to the chievement of the Millennium Development Gols; f) constrints encountered in implementtion. See Box XLII bove. 134

135 Article 8(j) - Trditionl knowledge nd relted provisions GURTS 57. Hs your country creted nd developed cpcity-building progrmmes to involve nd enble smllholder frmers, indigenous nd locl communities, nd other relevnt stkeholders to effectively prticipte in decision-mking processes relted to genetic use restriction technologies? Not pplicble b) No, but some progrmmes re under development c) Yes, some progrmmes re in plce (plese provide detils below) d) Yes, comprehensive progrmmes re in plce (plese provide detils below) Further comments on cpcity-building progrmmes to involve nd enble smllholder frmers, indigenous nd locl communities nd other relevnt stkeholders to effectively prticipte in decision-mking processes relted to GURTs. Sttus nd Trends 58. Hs your country supported indigenous nd locl communities in undertking field studies to determine the sttus, trends nd threts relted to the knowledge, innovtions nd prctices of indigenous nd locl communities? (Decision VII/16) b) No, but support to relevnt studies is being considered c) Yes (plese provide informtion on the studies undertken) X Further informtion on the studies undertken to determine the sttus, trends nd threts relted to the knowledge, innovtions nd prctices of indigenous nd locl communities, nd priority ctions identified. Indigenous knowledge workshops nd projects re being undertken through the Nturl Heritge Trust. For further informtion see: Indigenous Communities nd the Environment web pge Akwé:Kon Guidelines 59. Hs your country initited legl nd institutionl review of mtters relted to culturl, environmentl nd socil impct ssessment, with view to incorporting the Akwé:Kon Guidelines into ntionl legisltion, policies, nd procedures? X b) No, but review is under wy c) Yes, review undertken (plese provide detils on the review) Further informtion on the review. 135

136 60. Hs your country used the Akwé:Kon Guidelines in ny project proposed to tke plce on scred sites nd/or lnd nd wters trditionlly occupied by indigenous nd locl communities? (Decision VII/16) X b) No, but review of the Akwé: Kon guidelines is under wy c) Yes, to some extent (plese provide detils below) d) Yes, to significnt extent (plese provide detils below) Further informtion on the projects where the Akwé:Kon Guidelines re pplied. Cpcity Building nd Prticiption of Indigenous nd Locl Communities 61. Hs your country undertken ny mesures to enhnce nd strengthen the cpcity of indigenous nd locl communities to be effectively involved in decision-mking relted to the use of their trditionl knowledge, innovtions nd prctices relevnt to the conservtion nd sustinble use of biodiversity? (Decision V/16) b) No, but some progrmmes being developed c) Yes, some mesures tken (plese provide detils below) d) Yes, comprehensive mesures tken (plese provide detils below) X Further informtion on the mesures to enhnce nd strengthen the cpcity of indigenous nd locl communities. 136

137 Trditionl Indigenous Knowledge Workshop A plnning workshop ws held t Desert Prk, Alice Springs in My 2003 to determine how Indigenous knowledge works nd could better work with regionl delivery of nturl resource mngement in the rngelnds. The workshop highlighted the need for urgent ction to ddress the rpid loss of Indigenous knowledge currently occurring throughout Austrli. The outcomes of the workshop re vilble t As mjor stkeholders in the mngement nd protection of Austrli's nturl nd culturl resources Indigenous (Aboriginl nd Torres Strit Islnder) Austrlins re ssisted by the Government to ddress their lnd mngement needs, contribute to ntionl objectives nd to gin ccess to Nturl Heritge Trust (NHT) funding through ntionl network of 13 Indigenous Lnd Mngement Fcilittors who ssist indigenous people fcilitte lnd mngement projects in res importnt for both indigenous people nd biodiversity. They re funded by the NHT nd re employed through regionlly bsed host gencies in ech stte nd territory. Mrine protected re plnning The Austrlin Government through the Ntionl Ocens Office hs tken mesures to engge Indigenous people in the key gols of Austrli s Ocens Policy prticulrly, involving Aboriginl people in the use, conservtion nd mngement of Austrli s mrine jurisdictions. This is primrily being undertken through the development of Regionl Mrine Plns. The South-est Regionl Mrine Pln, relesed by the Austrlin Government in 2004, ws developed with considerble input from Indigenous people prticulrly in the ssessment phse of the plnning process. The extensive involvement of Indigenous stkeholders in the regionl mrine plnning process led to the development, in the South-est Regionl Mrine Pln, of pilot Se Country Plns s potentil vehicle for Indigenous involvement in mrine resource use nd mngement processes. The processes include biodiversity mngement nd conservtion. The Austrlin Government is supporting the development of six se country plns: two in the South Est Mrine Region (one of which hs been completed); nd four in the Gulf of Crpentri within the Northern Plnning Are. The processes llow Indigenous people to consider their se country mngement priorities, needs nd interests nd negotite with other mrine mngers nd users to develop policies, institutionl rrngements nd on-ground ctions tht re respectful of Indigenous peoples rights, interests nd responsibilities in their se country. The scle t which se country plnning occurs is determined by the Indigenous communities themselves nd thus ensures tht the geogrphicl scle of the process is culturlly pproprite (see question 62 below for more detil on se country plnning). 62. Hs your country developed pproprite mechnisms, guidelines, legisltion or other inititives to foster nd promote the effective prticiption of indigenous nd locl communities in decision mking, policy plnning nd development nd implementtion of the conservtion nd sustinble use of biodiversity t interntionl, regionl, subregionl, ntionl nd locl levels? (Decision V/16) b) No, but relevnt mechnisms, guidelines nd legisltion re under development c) Yes, some mechnisms, guidelines nd legisltion re in plce (plese provide detils below) X Further informtion on the mechnisms, guidelines nd legisltion developed. 137

138 The complex sets of knowledge, responsibilities nd rights encpsulted within the concept of 'Cring for Country' hve provided the bsis for the socil sustinbility of Austrli's Indigenous people nd for the ecologicl sustinbility of the lnd for 40,000 yers or more. As well s mintining or recovering these trditionl processes, Indigenous people re lso fcing similr chllenges to those of other lnd mngers, such s the invsion of their lnds by weeds nd ferl nimls, nd of chieving economic sustinbility. In recognition of the role of Indigenous people in the conservtion nd ecologiclly sustinble use of Austrli's biodiversity, n Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC) hs been estblished under the EPBC Act. The committee dvises the Minister for the Environment nd Heritge on the opertion of the Act, tking into ccount the significnce of Indigenous peoples' knowledge of the mngement of lnd nd the conservtion nd sustinble use of biodiversity. The first Indigenous Advisory Committee ws ppointed in Membership of the committee is bsed on expertise in Indigenous lnd mngement, conservtion nd culturl heritge mngement. All committee members re Indigenous Austrlins nd re not chosen to represent prticulr regions or orgnistions. The members of the Indigenous Advisory Committee hve wide rnge of skills nd knowledge in fields such s prk mngement, Indigenous lnd mngement, tertiry eduction nd locl, regionl nd stte Indigenous ffirs. Austrli s Ocens Policy (1998) (see lso bove) recognises Indigenous peoples responsibilities nd interests in ocen environments nd outlines vision for Austrli s ocens nd strtegic plnning nd mngement frmework to chieve it. The Policy s objectives include involving Aboriginl nd Torres Strit Islnder peoples in the use, conservtion nd mngement of Austrli s mrine jurisdiction. Se Country Plns fcilitte the involvement of Indigenous people nd communities in mrine mngement (including decisionmking bout the ocens) t culturl nd geogrphic scle tht is effective nd relevnt for them. Se Country Plns im to: improve Indigenous prticiption in mrine plnning nd mngement nd hence help meet commitments under Austrli s Ocens Policy; ddress spectrum of culturl, ecologicl nd economic issues nd enble Indigenous people to identify opportunities to derive greter socil nd economic benefit from the mngement of se country; fcilitte Indigenous prticiption in se country mngement t pproprite geogrphicl nd culturl scles; nd ssist others to develop greter understnding of Indigenous peoples se country interests nd responsibilities. Erly indictions suggest tht the development of Se Country Plns cn engge Indigenous communities in ocens mngement t scles pproprite to their interests nd responsibilities nd could be considered more brodly s vehicle for effective Indigenous prticiption in nturl nd culturl resource mngement. The Austrlin Government, through the Ntionl Ocens Office, is supporting the development of five pilot Se Country Plns. One pilot Se Country Pln, the Kooyng Se Country Pln prepred by the Wind Mr Aboriginl Corportion nd the Frmlinghm Aboriginl Trust ws completed in The four other pilots re under development. 138

139 63. Hs your country developed mechnisms for promoting the full nd effective prticiption of indigenous nd locl communities with specific provisions for the full, ctive nd effective prticiption of women in ll elements of the progrmme of work? (Decision V/16, nnex) X* b) No, but relevnt mechnisms re being developed c) Yes, mechnisms re in plce (plese provide detils below) Further comments on the mechnisms for promoting the full nd effective prticiption of women of indigenous nd locl communities in ll elements of the progrmme of work. *See Q 62 bove. Support to implementtion 64. Hs your country estblished ntionl, subregionl nd/or regionl indigenous nd locl community biodiversity dvisory committees? b) No, but relevnt work is under wy c) Yes X 65. Hs your country ssisted indigenous nd locl community orgniztions to hold regionl meetings to discuss the outcomes of the decisions of the Conference of the Prties nd to prepre for meetings under the Convention? X b) Yes (plese provide detils bout the outcome of meetings) Further informtion on the outcome of regionl meetings. 66. Hs your country supported, finncilly nd otherwise, indigenous nd locl communities in formulting their own community development nd biodiversity conservtion plns tht will enble such communities to dopt culturlly pproprite strtegic, integrted nd phsed pproch to their development needs in line with community gols nd objectives? b) Yes, to some extent (plese provide detils below) c) Yes, to significnt extent (plese provide detils below) X Further informtion on the support provided. The Deprtment of Environment nd Heritge lso works together with Indigenous communities in mnging the Indigenous Protected Ares Progrm, nd through the joint mngement of Kkdu, Uluru - Kt Tjut nd Booderee ntionl prks. (More t Indigenous NRM). 139

140 Box XLVII. Plese elborte below on the implementtion of this rticle nd ssocited decisions specificlly focusing on: ) outcomes nd impcts of ctions tken; b) contribution to the chievement of the gols of the Strtegic Pln of the Convention; c) contribution to progress towrds the 2010 trget; d) progress in implementing ntionl biodiversity strtegies nd ction plns; e) contribution to the chievement of the Millennium Development Gols; f) constrints encountered in implementtion. The Deprtment of Environment nd Heritge works together with Indigenous communities in mnging the Indigenous Protected Ares Progrm, nd through the joint mngement of Kkdu, Uluru - Kt Tjut nd Booderee ntionl prks. Indigenous Protected Are plnning Indigenous lndowners prepre mngement pln for the res they propose to declre s n Indigenous Protected Are. This my include holding discussions with the relevnt Stte/Territory conservtion gencies, nd other gencies tht my be ble to support the project, nd incorporting expert dvice on the vlues of the Indigenous Protected Are nd how these should be mnged nd protected. The mngement pln for n Indigenous Protected Are identifies on ground mngement ctivities nd the decision mking structure tht will govern mngement decisions. The pln lso identifies the relevnt IUCN (World Conservtion Union) Ctegories for conservtion mngement tht pply to the Indigenous Protected Are. The mngement pln is implemented through on ground works s specified in the pln, such s putting into plce weed nd ferl niml controls, culturl nd nturl heritge conservtion ctivities or the estblishment of infrstructure to control visitor ccess. (see Indigenous NRM nd see Box XLI bove). 140

141 Article 9 - Ex-situ conservtion 67.? On Article 9() nd (b), hs your country dopted mesures for the ex-situ conservtion of components of biologicl diversity ntive to your country nd originting outside your country? b) No, but potentil mesures re under review c) Yes, some mesures re in plce (plese provide detils below) X, s necessry d) Yes, comprehensive mesures re in plce (plese provide detils below) Further informtion on the mesures dopted for the ex-situ conservtion of components of biodiversity ntive to your country nd originting outside your country. Most Austrlin conservtion effort is directed t in situ biodiversity conservtion. However, species thretened with extinction in the wild my be removed for reloction for cptive breeding in herbri, offshore islnds or fenced reserves (where breeding cn tke plce without pressure from thretening processes) nd zoos. Ultimtely nd idelly cptive breeding progrms re designed so tht ex situ collections of species of ntive flor nd fun cn eventully be re-estblished in their ntive hbitt. The Austrlin Ntionl Botnicl Grdens, nd its ffilited grdens nd herbri in the Austrlin sttes nd Territories, nd the ntionl scientific reserch orgniztion (the CSIRO) re the most importnt repositories of ex-situ conservtion nd for reserch of Austrlin plnts nd plnt genetic mterils. Zoos nd relted institutions re the min institutions for ex-situ fun conservtion nd reserch, with some ssisting developing countries in cptive breeding nd reintroduction reserch. 68.? On Article 9(c), hs your country dopted mesures for the reintroduction of thretened species into their nturl hbitts under pproprite conditions? b) No, but potentil mesures re under review c) Yes, some mesures re in plce (plese provide detils below) X d) Yes, comprehensive mesures re in plce (plese provide detils below) Further comments on the mesures for the reintroduction of thretened species into their nturl hbitts under pproprite conditions. Austrli tkes pproprite mesures to ensure tht reintroductions of endngered or thretened species into ntive hbitts re successful. For exmple, species thretened or endngered by predtion from non ntive predtor species, such s the Europen red fox, will be reintroduced once conditions in their former hbitt hve been mde suitble by, mongst other things, reducing predtor numbers to the point where they re not thret, or by predtor proofing lrge trct of lnd. (See for exmple 141

142 69.? On Article 9(d), hs your country tken mesures to regulte nd mnge the collection of biologicl resources from nturl hbitts for ex-situ conservtion purposes so s not to threten ecosystems nd in-situ popultions of species? b) No, but potentil mesures re under review c) Yes, some mesures re in plce (plese provide detils below) d) Yes, comprehensive mesures re in plce (plese provide detils below) X Further informtion on the mesures to regulte nd mnge the collection of biologicl resources from nturl hbitts for ex-situ conservtion purposes so s not to threten ecosystems nd in-situ popultions of species. Specimens nd/or popultions re collected from the wild for ex situ conservtion in only the most extreme circumstnces, where species survivl in existing conditions is unvible nd where inction would inevitbly led to extinction of the species. Such trnsloctions or reloctions re mnged using best vilble knowledge nd extreme cre. Trnsloctions to res where the species hs not previously occurred re crried out only following creful ssessment of nticipted impcts upon the new ecosystem nd its component species. Box XLVIII. Plese elborte below on the implementtion of this rticle nd ssocited decisions specificlly focusing on: ) outcomes nd impcts of ctions tken; b) contribution to the chievement of the gols of the Strtegic Pln of the Convention; c) contribution to progress towrds the 2010 trget; d) progress in implementing ntionl biodiversity strtegies nd ction plns; e) contribution to the chievement of the Millennium Development Gols; f) constrints encountered in implementtion. See Box XLII bove. Article 10 - Sustinble use of components of biologicl diversity 70.? On Article 10(), hs your country integrted considertion of the conservtion nd sustinble use of biologicl resources into ntionl decision-mking? b) No, but steps re being tken c) Yes, in some relevnt sectors (plese provide detils below) d) Yes, in most relevnt sectors (plese provide detils below) X Further informtion on integrting considertion of conservtion nd sustinble use of biologicl resources into ntionl decision-mking. 142

143 See Trgets 1.1, 4.1, 5.1, 8.1 nd 8.2, nd Box 8 under Ecosystem Approch nd Box XLI bove. Ecologiclly sustinble development, including sustinble use of biologicl resources, is embedded t the highest policy mking levels in vrious bodies within the Austrlin prliment. See, for exmple, high level coordintion through the Nturl Resource Mngement Ministeril Council (NRMMC) (NRM & PI Ministeril Councils) nd stnding committees of the Austrlin Prliment. Wildlife Prt 13A of the EPBC Act regultes interntionl wildlife trde involving Austrli nd contins number of provisions relting to conservtion nd sustinble use. Conservtion nd sustinble use principles re considered for the pprovl of progrms for the tking for export of Austrlin ntive species. Consistent with conservtion mesures, the tking of thretened ntive species is not llowed under the legisltion. Recovery mesures pply to thretened species nd uses re limited to ctivities tht ssist in rebuilding species numbers. For CITES listed species, non-detriment findings re mde by the CITES Scientific Authority to determine the impct of trde on the survivl of the species. Austrli is ensuring consistency, s pproprite, between the objects of Prt 13A of the EPBC Act or current Government policy relting to sustinble use nd the 14 Addis Abb principles. One of the specified ims of Prt 13A of the EPBC Act is ensuring complince with Austrli s obligtions under the Convention on Biologicl Diversity. Mny of the Addis Abb principles, such s integrting Stte nd Federl regultion, minimizing ecosystem impcts, promoting stkeholder prticiption, nd recovering mngement costs, re directly relevnt under Prt 13A of the EPBC Act on issue of permits nd the pprovl of wildlife progrms for ntive species. Mny other principles, whilst not being explicitly mentioned in the EPBC Act, hve been promoted through wildlife use policy over time; such s promoting dptive mngement, promoting reserch, mngement t pproprite scles, eduction nd public wreness. Mny of the principles hve much broder scope thn wildlife trde legisltion nd policy, including CITES ims nd objectives. In prticulr, principles such s integrting government policy, ssigning ccess rights, regulting mrkets (e.g. trde brriers nd subsidies) nd multilterl greements (e.g. CCAMLR) re beyond the scope of Prt 13A of the EPBC Act nd for CITES beyond the competence of the CITES Authorities. Forests nd forestry Policy precursor to regionl forest greements Following yers of community-industry conflict over ntive forests nd their uses, The Ntionl Forest Policy Sttement (NFPS) ws greed in 1992 between the Austrlin government nd ll Sttes nd Territories. The NFPS imed to chieve public nd privte ntive forests tht were mnged for the brod rnge of commercil nd conservtion benefits nd vlues vilble for present nd future genertions. It estblished eleven gols for the ntive forest estte covering conservtion, ecologiclly sustinble wood production nd industry development, socil nd economic issues, nd interntionl responsibilities. The two principl objectives for conservtion were the mintennce of n extensive nd permnent ntive forest estte nd the protection of conservtion vlues in forests. The objectives encompssed the development of CRA reserve system, protection of old growth forests nd wilderness, ecologiclly sustinble forest mngement, nd pproprite dt collection nd nlysis. The Regionl Forest Agreement RFA) process The stted ims of the Regionl Forest Agreement process were to: Resolve the long history of controversy regrding the mngement nd use of Austrli s forests, nd chieve the ims of the Ntionl Forest Policy Sttement. 143

144 Provide mechnism for chieving n equitble blnce between conservtion nd sustinble use of the nturl, culturl, economic nd socil vlues of Austrli s forests in the commercil forest regions of Austrli. Achieve blnced nd long-term resolution of government, industry, environment nd community interests in the forests bsed on scientific comprehensive regionl ssessments. RFAs included three core elements: A CAR reserve system, on public nd privte lnd, to ensure long-term conservtion nd protection of the vlues defined by ntionlly greed forest reserve criteri. A commitment to enhnce timber industry employment nd development, including: provisions for 20 yers certinty of ccess to forest resources; n emphsis on downstrem processing; nd support for innovtive, interntionlly competitive forest products industries tht were economiclly sustinble nd provided for socil nd economic benefits. Accredittion of ecologiclly sustinble forest mngement (ESFM) systems for the whole forest estte. The ntionl reserve criteri were the bsis for CAR reserve system for forests in Austrli, within sustinbly mnged permnent forest estte. The criteri covered biodiversity, old growth forest nd wilderness, with flexibility for reserve design nd mngement, nd socil nd economic considertions. The criteri set out thresholds or benchmrks for forest conservtion within the CAR reserve system, including: For biodiversity, 15% of the pre-1750 distribution of ech forest ecosystem, with t lest 60% of vulnerble nd 100% of rre nd endngered communities. For old growth, 60% of the old growth of ech forest community, incresing to 100% protection for rre or depleted old growth forest communities. For wilderness, 90% of the re of high-qulity wilderness. Community prticiption ws centrl component of the RFA process, providing trnsprency nd vluble informtion on concerns nd spirtions. Twenty-yer greements re now in plce for 10 commercil forest regions in Austrli. These greements hve dded 2.9 million hectres to existing reserves, bringing Austrli s comprehensive, dequte nd representtive forest reserve system to 10.4 million hectres. The RFAs re subject to review of performnce every five yers. The Tsmnin Community Forest Agreement (TCFA) signed in My 2005 is supplementry greement to the Tsmnin Regionl Forest Agreement. The TCFA protects dditionl forests on public nd privte lnds, promotes sustinble forest use nd mngement of forests nd implements improvements resulting from the five yer review of the Tsmnin RFA. 144

145 Austrlin forests nd woodlnds nd regions with signed Regionl Forest Agreements (source Ntionl Forest Inventory, August 2001). Terrestril nd Lnd The Ntionl Action Pln for Slinity nd Wter Qulity (NAP) nd the Nturl Heritge Trust (NHT) re the two mjor progrms imed t protecting nd conserving the environment nd nturl resources. More informtion bout the joint delivery of the NAP nd the NHT cn be found t: 71.? On Article 10(b), hs your country dopted mesures relting to the use of biologicl resources tht void or minimize dverse impcts on biologicl diversity? b) No, but potentil mesures re under review c) Yes, some mesures re in plce (plese provide detils below) d) Yes, comprehensive mesures re in plce (plese provide detils below) X Further informtion on the mesures dopted relting to the use of biologicl resources tht void or minimize dverse impcts on biologicl diversity. 145