What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variety of life forms: the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form. Biodiversity is often considered at three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity.

Genetic diversity refers to the combination of different genes found within a population of a single species and the pattern of variation found within different populations of the same species.

Species diversity refers to the variety and abundance of different types of organisms which inhabit an area.

Ecosystem diversity refers to all the different habitats, biological communities and ecological processes as well as variation within individual ecosystems.

The rich biodiversity of the Nambucca Valley can be attributed to its range of geographical, soil and climatic conditions. Terrestrial ecosystems range from rainforest, savannah woodlands, grasslands, shrub lands, heath lands, tall forests and woodlands. Inland water environments including permanent and seasonal waterways and wetlands and marine environments including coral reefs, intertidal mangrove forests, seagrass beds, sandy beaches, coastal salt marshes, rocky shores, algal reefs and kelp forests.

Why protect biodiversity?

Biodiversity provides many critical environmental services which we often take for granted such as providing drinkable water, clean air and fertile soils.

Biodiversity provides all of our plant and animal foods and many of the medicines we use. It is intrinsically valuable and critically important for our physical, spiritual, psychological and emotional wellbeing.

Biodiversity loss is irreversible yet governments are failing to take meaningful action to protect biodiversity. When ecosystems are pushed beyond their stress thresholds by environmental degradation, they collapse. Species are becoming extinct at the fastest rate in geological history. Loss of biodiversity is caused by habitat loss, alteration to ecosystem composition, introduction of exotic species, over exploitation (eg fishing logging & mining), pollution and climate change. Biodiversity is also threatened by genetically engineered organisms.

The NVCA is committed to maintaining, improving and protecting biodiversity in the Nambucca Valley through various actions and campaigns including submissions, direct non-violent action such as protest gatherings and delegations to Nambucca Shire Council (NSC).

We continue to focus on native vegetation issues, in particular lobbying NSC for the re-introduction of a tree preservation order and to apply available native vegetation mapping to its strategic planning.