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Strategies

Australian Biological Resources Study

The Mountain Katydid defends itself by flashing bright colours and squirting noxious liquid. (Julian Finn)

The Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) collects and disseminates information on Australian plants, animals and other organisms and where they occur. ABRS taxonomic work includes naming, describing and classifying Australia’s biodiversity, and managing databases that provide national references for species names. The program funds research and training in taxonomy, as it is critical for biodiversity conservation, biosecurity and a range of industry uses (such as agriculture, horticulture, and forestry) that species are accurately named and their relationships are understood.

As the national taxonomy broker, the Australian Biological Resources Study aims to:

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  promote the importance and raise the profile of taxonomy
  
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  complete the national biodiversity picture and improve biodiversity information delivery
  
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  strengthen the taxonomy funding and relationship base
  
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  increase Australia’s taxonomic capacity.
  

Bush Blitz is a three-year partnership between BHP Billiton, Earthwatch Australia and AusPlots–Rangelands. It supports key ABRS priorities by promoting and raising the profile of taxonomy, strengthening the taxonomy funding and relationship base, and increasing Australia’s taxonomic capacity. Bush Blitz successfully completed five surveys across a number of properties in the National Reserve System. The program also funded 14 research and capacity-building grants and supported 14 Tactical Taxonomy Contracts to help describe and publish information on new species discovered on Bush Blitz expeditions.

As part of Bush Blitz, the ABRS partnered with the Australian Science Teachers Association to conduct the Bush Blitz Australia’s Top 10 New Species competition for schools. Up to 1 400 students, teachers and other community members voted in the competition, with the unusual-looking pink handfish (Brachiopsilus dianthus) taking out the award for top species. Winning entries from primary school students in each state won biodiversity-related activities for their class, while two secondary school students won the chance to attend a Bush Blitz survey as volunteers through Earthwatch Australia.

The National Species List project, funded by Atlas of Living Australia, is supporting the completion of ABRS managed databases to help meet the key ABRS objective of completing the national biodiversity picture

Results

The ABRS funded 59 research grants and taxonomic training positions under the National Taxonomy Research Grant Program in 2010–11 (PhD, Masters and Honours scholarships).

The ABRS published books on Australian algae and flora; a report on the Bush Blitz survey conducted at Darkwood in the New England National Park in New South Wales and contributed illustrations to a book on the evolution of birds. The ABRS also updated online databases on fauna, flora and lichen species, including the Flora of Australia online database, which now provides profiles for more than 6 000 species in 138 families, and the Australian Faunal Directory, which now holds data for almost 91 000 accepted species in around 3 900 families.

Evaluation

ABRS successfully undertook five Bush Blitz surveys across four states in 2010–11. While much of the scientific information is still being analysed, the results will contribute to our knowledge of biodiversity within the National Reserve System and help managers develop adaptive management strategies.

Fourteen Tactical Taxonomy contracts have been awarded to participating Bush Blitz scientists to describe and publish information on new species in the National Reserve System.

The Atlas of Living Australia program is helping to increase our national taxonomic capacity and completing species information for fauna, protoctista, lichens, algae and cyanophyta.

Highlights

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  A draft marine bioregional plan and a Commonwealth marine reserve network proposal for the South-west Marine Region were launched for public consultation by the minister on 5 May 2011.
  
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  The Australian Government Support Plan for the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security, including an associated $2.5 million package of support for activities in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor Leste was finalised.
  
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  The department worked with the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency to develop the government response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts inquiry report Managing our coastal zone in a changing climate: the time to act is now, which was tabled in parliament on 23 November 2010.
  
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  In April 2011, Australia, on behalf of the International Whaling Commission Small Advisory Group of Conservation Management Plans, submitted a framework for conservation management plans. The conservation management plan framework represents a milestone for this initiative and is the culmination of more than three years of work by the department. This will lead to the development and implementation of conservation management plans for nominated priority cetacean species throughout the world. Australia has also begun to incorporate aspects of the conservation management plan framework into its national plans for the recovery and protection of cetacean species in Australian waters, ensuring Australian conservation measures remain consistent with international best practice.
  
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  A new threat abatement plan was developed for the biological effects, including lethal toxic ingestion, caused by cane toads. The plan provides a targeted response to protect those native species and ecological communities most at risk from the impacts of cane toads.
  
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  A new threat abatement plan commenced to reduce the impacts of gamba grass and other introduced grasses on the biodiversity in northern Australia.
  
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  In 2010–11, 28 new species and two ecological communities were listed for protection under the EPBC Act, with a further 12 species and 17 ecological communities undergoing assessment for possible listing.
  
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  In 2010–11, 428 new referrals were received 150 referrals were determined to require formal assessment and approval under the EPBC Act. 103 proposals were approved under the EPBC Act, including three major coal seam gas developments, comprising 13 individual referrals, in south-east Queensland.
  
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  Strategic assessments continue to break new ground and promote ecologically sustainable development. In April 2011 the minister endorsed the Midlands Water Scheme, which is a major new irrigation project in Tasmania. This is the second strategic assessment to be endorsed under the EPBC Act.
  
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  Three butterfly subspecies, six plant species and one bullfrog species were added to Appendix III of CITES list, established under the EPBC Act.
  
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  A number of significant investigations were completed, resulting in four criminal penalties, two enforceable undertakings, three remediation determinations, three infringement notices issued and one injunction.
  
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  More than 4 200 species names and 370 families were added to the Australian Faunal Directory, which is managed by the ABRS and funded largely through the Atlas of Living Australia.
  
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  ABRS conducted five Bush Blitz surveys on National Reserve System properties—an area totalling almost 1 million hectares in South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. As part of the Bush Blitz partnership arrangements, BHP Billiton employee volunteers actively participated in the Bon Bon survey in central South Australia.
  
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  The ABRS partnered with the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust to award two overseas fellowships for taxonomic research into Australian biota. Dr Amber Beavis, winner of the fellowship for early career researchers, will study spiders (Araneae), while Dr Paul Doherty, winner of the fellowship for established researchers, will study the biodiversity of Australian frogs and reptiles and describe a plethora of new species.
  

Deliverables'>Outcome 1, program 1.2

Deliverables

Deliverables	PBS Target	Results
Contribute to effective environmental biosecurity or Australia through participation in the national biosecurity system.		The department continued to participate in nationally significant biosecurity responses, including: electric ants and red imported fire ants in Queensland the exotic plant fungus myrtle rust, which attacks the Myrtaceae family of plants including Australian natives like bottle brush (Callistemon spp.), tea tree (Melaleuca spp.) and eucalypts (Eucalyptus spp.) eradication programs for several invasive weeds in north Queensland (the Four Tropical Weeds Eradication Program and the National Siam Weed Eradication Program).
Develop species recovery plans and threat abatement plans under the EPBC Act.		A new threat abatement plan was developed for the biological effects, including lethal toxic ingestion, caused by cane toads. The plan provides a targeted response to protect those native species and ecological communities most at risk from the impacts of cane toads. Development of a revised threat abatement plan was commenced for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi.
The Commonwealth and state/territory governments are part of the cooperative approach to implementing the EPBC Act through arrangements including bilateral agreements.	Yes	Assessment bilateral agreements are being maintained with all states and territories. These allow states and territories to assess project impacts on matters of national environmental significance on behalf of the Commonwealth. A cooperative program is under way to align lists of threatened species.
Deliverables	PBS Target	Results
Impacts on matters of national environmental significance are appropriately regulated through use of the range of mechanisms provided in the EPBC Act.	Yes	Matters of national environmental significance were protected through use of environmental impact assessment of projects referred to the department; strategic assessments and bilateral agreements under the EPBC Act, and compliance and enforcement action.
Ongoing administration of the EPBC Act including assessment of applications (e.g. referrals, permits, species and ecological communities listing nominations, wildlife trade operations, etc.) in accordance with legislative requirements.	Yes	As detailed in this chapter, and the report on the operation of the EPBC Act, the assessment of applications received under the EPBC Act was undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the law.
Ongoing management of Commonwealth marine reserves.		Significant progress was made in developing a network management plan for 14 south-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves that brings together existing and new reserves under a single management plan. Bilateral agreements between the department and state agencies for delivery of day-to-day management services in Commonwealth marine reserves off Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales were developed and implemented. Services provided included moorings management administration, sea and air patrols, education and outreach, and permit support for activities in Commonwealth marine reserves. The department responded to 15 compliance incidents in Commonwealth marine reserves (two pending prosecutions, one infringement notice and 12 warning letters) related to alleged offences under the EPBC Act.
Deliverables	PBS Target	Results
Continued Ongoing management of Commonwealth marine reserves.		Significant progress was made on developing a Commonwealth marine reserve compliance plan that will serve as a guide for compliance delivery over the next four years. Progress was also made in preparing marine reserve enforcement guidelines, which will improve the consistency of enforcement decisions made in marine reserve management with the overarching departmental enforcement policy. A collaborative agreement was progressed between the department and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority to share and analyse Vessel Monitoring System data from commercial fishers operating in Commonwealth marine reserves. The aim is to improve knowledge about activity use-patterns in marine reserves and to alert commercial fishers of marine reserve boundaries and requirements.
Identify new Commonwealth marine reserves under the marine bioregional planning program.		Marine bioregional plans are being prepared under the EPBC Act and will be used to improve decision-making about the management and protection of marine biodiversity. Bioregional profiles released for the South-west, North-west, North and East Marine Regions were developed from a range of information including scientific papers, commissioned reports, industry performance reporting, census data and expert advice. The profiles describe the ecosystems of each marine region, their conservation values and the goals and principles that guide the identification and design of new Commonwealth marine reserves.
Deliverables	PBS Target	Results
Continued Identify new Commonwealth marine reserves under the marine bioregional planning program.		Marine bioregional plans and regional marine reserve network proposals are currently being prepared across all of Australia’s marine regions. The draft South-west marine bioregional plan and Commonwealth marine reserve network proposal were the first to be released for formal public consultation. Public release of the draft Marine Bioregional Plans and marine reserve network proposals for the North-west, North and East will follow later in 2011. The network of marine reserves for the South-east Marine Region was established in 2007.
Develop and implement a sound policy framework for the Great Barrier Reef including through operation of the Great Barrier Reef Ministerial Council and measures such as the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan.		The 2009 Reef Water Quality Protection Plan—a joint initiative with Queensland Government—aims to reverse the decline in the quality of water entering the reef from adjacent farming and grazing lands over five years to 2013. The first Report Card on these activities identified key achievements including: 625 graziers, 35 dairy farmers and around 1 350 cane, grain, cotton and horticulture growers received assistance through the Caring for Our Country Reef Rescue initiative to reduce nutrient, pesticide and soil run-off on their properties. Around 2 000 kilometres of fencing was erected to reduce erosion. 319 cattle graziers and 565 canegrowers prepared Environmental Risk Management Plans as per Queensland legislation. Queensland legislation now specifies that canegrowers in North Queensland are to apply no more than the optimum amount of fertiliser needed. New regulations were introduced to protect wetlands of high ecological significance and native vegetation adjacent to watercourses. The Second Report Card is to be finalised in 2012. It will compare progress against the 2009 baseline results.
Undertake ‘public good’ focused environmental research designed to engage with end-users and support evidence-based decision-making by environmental managers and policy makers, particularly where it supports Australian Government policy needs.		In December 2010 the minister announced funding of five National Environmental Research Program (NERP) research hubs—the tropical ecosystems hub, the environmental decisions hub, the northern Australia hub, the landscapes and policy hub, and the marine biodiversity hub. Around $20 million will be made available under the program each year for environmental research to improve our capacity to understand, manage and conserve Australia’s unique biodiversity and ecosystems through the generation of world-class research, and its delivery to Australian environmental decision-makers and other stakeholders. Independent steering committees will provide oversight of governance arrangements for the NERP to help maximise the uptake of research by end-users.
Develop and implement a National Plan for Environmental Information.		In December 2010 the minister announced funding of five NERP research hubs to improve our capacity to understand, manage and conserve Australia’s unique biodiversity and ecosystems through the generation of world-class research, and its delivery to Australian environmental decision-makers and other stakeholders.
Deliverables	PBS Target	Results
Australia’s international efforts to stop commercial whaling, including so-called ‘scientific’ whaling are progressed, including through the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and the Marine Mammal Conservation Initiatives Program.		Australia continued its close cooperation with like-minded pro-conservation IWC countries to advance the global conservation of cetaceans. At a meeting of IWC countries, hosted by Germany in Brussels on 24 March 2011, Australia advocated the pursuit of IWC-agreed conservation initiatives and governance reform consistent with Australia’s whale conservation policy objectives. Key guiding documents for the CMP initiative have been submitted for consideration at the July 2011 IWC annual meeting. On 9 May 2011, Australia submitted its written pleadings to the International Court of Justice, a key milestone for Australia’s legal action against Japanese so-called ‘scientific’ whaling.
Environmental information legislation developed.	Yes
Independent review into Australian Government environmental information activity conducted.	Yes
National State of the Environment Report Released.	N/a
Development of monitoring and evaluation framework for National Environmental Research Program.	Yes
Individual projects under National Environmental Research Program delivered in accordance with project plans.	Yes
Implementation of the National Environmental Research Program hubs.	Yes
Marine Bioregional Plans are in place to support decision making, spatial management and conservation activities [# of plans].	3	Draft Marine Bioregional Plan and Commonwealth marine reserve network proposal for the South-west Marine Region launched for public consultation. Draft marine bioregional plans and Commonwealth marine reserve network proposals are being prepared for the North-west, North and East Marine Regions. They will be released for public consultation during 2011.
Deliverables	PBS Target	Results
Grant funding awarded to high priority applied marine mammal research projects [# of projects].	15	16 grants awarded.
Researchers supported under the ABRS National Taxonomy Research Grants Program [#].	65
Biodiversity research projects co-funded with other agencies [#].	16
Value of contribution made by other agencies to co-funded biodiversity research projects [% less than or equal to].	44
Annual research program into the impact of uranium mining on the environment is conducted.	Yes	The program was reviewed and endorsed by the Alligator Rivers Region Technical Committee. The program was in the Portfolio Budget Statements.
Annual monitoring program is conducted to ensure protection of the environment from the impact of uranium mining.	Yes	The program was conducted and the monitoring results indicate that there were no deleterious impacts on the environment beyond the immediate mine areas. The program was in the Portfolio Budget Statements.