1. Opportunities in Biodiversity

2. What is Biodiversity?
“The variety of life forms: the different plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they form.
It is usually considered at three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity.”
(National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity).

3. What is biodiversity? Species Diversity The variety of different
plant and animal species
in an area.

4. What is biodiversity? Genetic diversity
This describes the variety of genetic information contained in individual plants, animals and microorganisms.

5. What is biodiversity? Ecosystem diversity
the variety of habitats and ecological processes, as well as the tremendous diversity present within ecosystems in terms of habitat differences

6. Ecosystem Services
“The economy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the environment” Paul Hawkins
Ecosystem services provided by nature include:
Biological control
Predator control by prey species
Climate regulation
Greenhouse gas regulation
Cultural
Aesthetics; recreational, educational, spiritual benefits
Disturbance regulation
Storm protection, flood control
Erosion control, sediment retention
Prevention of loss of soil
Food production
Production of fish, game, bush foods
Gas regulation
CO2 /02 balance
Genetic resources
Genes for resistance to plant pathogens and crop pests

7. Ecosystem Services Nutrient cycling Nitrogen fixation Pollination
Provision of pollinators
Raw materials
Production of timber, fuel or fodder
Refugia
Regional habitats for locally harvested species
Soil formation
Accumulation of organic material
Water supply
Provision of water by watersheds, reservoirs
Waste treatment
Pollution control
Water regulation
Provision of clean water for agriculture

8. Ecosystem Services
Examples of ecosystem services supplying Horticulture :
Biological control
Climate regulation
Pollination
Refugia
Soil formation
Water regulation
Water supply
Waste treatment

9. 100 Ibis eat up to 25 000 insects per day
100 Ibis eat up to insects per day. These include Grasshoppers and Locusts which are pest species on farms.

10. Ecosystem processes Economics
Aesthetics and culture Ethics

11. Current Financial Opportunities
Rate Rebates
Rehabilitation/restoration grants (envirofund; Threatened species network; water quality and landcare)
Nature Assist
Covenants (VCAs; NCA; EPBC (income tax);
Land for Wildlife

12. Emerging Markets ‘Success goes to those who get to the future first.’
- Peter Ellyard, Futurist.
Carbon Credits
Biodiversity Credits
Environmental Stewardship Program
Offsets

13. Carbon Credits
Currently operating on offsetting carbon emissions eg nrmacarbonators
formalized when Australian Govt brings in carbon trading framework in 2011
Being established here with Degrees Celcius and Terrain who are aiming to look at covering Revegetation efforts.

14. Biodiversity Credits Not yet formally established
Not yet included in carbon credit assessments
Potential market for tourists and companies looking for environmental and social credits
Wet Tropics well placed to take advantage of this market with unique biodiversity values

15. Environmental stewardship
Aim: “to maintain and improve the quality and extent of targeted high public value environmental assets on private land.”
Will target environmental assets that are matters of National Environmental Significance (NES) as listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999:
• nationally endangered or vulnerable species and ecological communities;
• migratory species and wetlands for which Australia has international responsibilities; and
• natural values associated with world and national heritage places.
Purchase outcomes from landholders through cost-effective contracts for up to 15 years. Tender scheme, voluntary management agreements or covenants.
$50M over 4 years
Works “above regulatory responsibilities”

16. Offsets Offset the impacts of developments
Applied to similar areas where disturbance takes place
Currently occurring in Wet Tropics
State and Federal Government policy being developed

17. Other emerging markets
Marketing advantage entering into an Environmental Management (quality assurance) System that includes biodiversity criteria.
Biotechnology and indigenous plant production
Organic or environmentally sustainable food
Developing and selling skills in environmental management and restoration
Accessing Ethical Investment funds for business development

18. DESIGN PRINCIPLES Patches Quality Size and number
Protect the best native
vegetation first
Size and number
The bigger the better
The more types of
habitat, the better

19. Design Principles Shape and edges: The more compact, the better
Consider ‘edge effects’
Include buffers
Position
Include all land classes

20. Sites
Local significance
Include watercourses
Provide for threatened species (rare, vulnerable, endangered)

21. Design Principles Linkages Connectivity and corridors:
The more connected, the better. Include corridors
Provide stepping stones

22. Design Principles Matrix Mosaics
Integrate nature conservation areas with surrounding landuse

23. Nature in the landscape
The three Rs
The priority for conserving flora and fauna is to retain the priority remnant vegetation that remains, restore the quality of degraded habitats and then revegetate cleared areas.

24. Partnerships
Community, corporate and government partnerships are the way of the future and not only in NRM and Landcare.
• A shared vision, developed together (at some level);
• Some common outcome (desired and/or real);
• Sharing knowledge and experiences about the past, present and future (your grandchildren);
• Ongoing commitment – recognizing the long term nature of NRM activities;
• Ongoing facilitation and technical support from some partner/party;
• Agreed predictable responsibilities, accountabilities and communication activities;
• Participatory decision making processes; and
• Celebrating successes.

25. Partnerships

26. Business motivation for partnerships with community groups includes:
• Long term business sustainability;
• Links to their core business;
• Risk management (to new and existing development);
• Establishment of a credible track record in environmental activities eg; greenhouse;
• Early compliance with regulatory standards; or
• Inclusion in ethical investment funds;
• Employee morale and engagement.