The global biodiversity crisis is rapidly degrading ecosystems, natural capital and human well-being. Species-based actions alone are failing to stem the crisis. In response, 196 countries agreed to redress this crisis with renewed emphasis on ecosystem management and restoration under the .
Recognition that ecosystems play an essential role in sustaining biodiversity and the ecosystem services that support human well-being and the economy has generated international demand for scientific support to adapt monitoring and reporting systems to ecosystems.Ìý
As in other countries, Australian ecosystems are under increasing pressure, causing declines in biodiversity and natural capital. These assets are vital to Australia’s culture and economy.
The Australian government'sÌý, released in 2022, outlines reforms to environmental laws and policies to advance ecosystem protection, management and restoration. According to Australia’s new Nature Positive Plan, failure to prevent ongoing decline stems from inadequate whole-ecosystem management which is linked to a lack of fit-for-purpose national ecosystem inventory.
This project, led by Professor David Keith, will equip Australia with rigorous scientific foundations to support national strategies for ecosystem protection, management and restoration ahead of the 2030 international reporting milestones. It will deliver state-of the-art ecosystem data streams, advanced skills capacity and ground-breaking thematic risk assessments. These Australian innovations for ecosystem conservation will influence nature-positive agendas worldwide.
We will work with Commonwealth, state and international partners to build capacity for nature-positive ecosystem management.
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Key project outputs:
ÌýÌýÌýÌý1.ÌýThe first comprehensive, consistent national classification and map of ecosystems
ÌýÌýÌýÌý2.ÌýState-of-the-art protocols for tracking ecosystem change
ÌýÌýÌýÌý3.ÌýTraining tools and activities to upskill government industry and community in use of ecosystem information
ÌýÌýÌýÌý4.ÌýNational ecosystem risk assessments to guide strategic risk-reduction
This new research will be translated and adopted through transformational improvements in the National Reserve System, statutory protection of threatened ecosystems, ecologically sustainable development, investments in ecosystem restoration, climate change adaptation and more.
Australian leadership on international 2030 conservation targets and global uptake in conservation policy and research agendas will globalise the research impact. This groundbreaking applied research will help sustain healthy ecosystems, with associated benefits to the health, social, economic and cultural wellbeing of Australians.
