Most Prominent Impacts
The two most prominent impacts are: invasive species and pollution.
Invasive Species: Weeds are often defined as plants that are out of place. Most of the plants that cause problems in Australia have been imported, but even native plants can become weeds if they proliferate away from their natural habitat. Imported plants may not be weeds in their country of origin, but when introduced into Australia they are often free of the diseases and insects that would have controlled them. Giant sensitive plant (Mimosa pigra), considered to be one of the greatest threats to Kakadu National Park, forms dense thickets which are devastating the beautiful wetlands of Kakadu - many of the waterbirds which make the Adelaide River floodplain so famous have now become scarce.
Pollution: Another prominent impact is pollution from herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, waste products, and chemical and oil spills. Water pollution can be caused by many activities and can impact on wetlands in a variety of ways. Using chemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides, in the catchment of wetlands can lead to a build of up too many nutrients in the water. The result can be an algal bloom. This algae can be toxic to some animals, and can deplete the water of oxygen; suffocating fish.
Invasive Species: Weeds are often defined as plants that are out of place. Most of the plants that cause problems in Australia have been imported, but even native plants can become weeds if they proliferate away from their natural habitat. Imported plants may not be weeds in their country of origin, but when introduced into Australia they are often free of the diseases and insects that would have controlled them. Giant sensitive plant (Mimosa pigra), considered to be one of the greatest threats to Kakadu National Park, forms dense thickets which are devastating the beautiful wetlands of Kakadu - many of the waterbirds which make the Adelaide River floodplain so famous have now become scarce.
Pollution: Another prominent impact is pollution from herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, waste products, and chemical and oil spills. Water pollution can be caused by many activities and can impact on wetlands in a variety of ways. Using chemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides, in the catchment of wetlands can lead to a build of up too many nutrients in the water. The result can be an algal bloom. This algae can be toxic to some animals, and can deplete the water of oxygen; suffocating fish.
Prominent Endangered Species
Prominent endangered species: Large mammals such as rhinos, elephants, and hippos.
Cause: We poached 96% of the population, generally for their horns.
Steps being taken to prevent further population declines: The Endangered Species Act signed in 1973 says that the government prevents the threatened species from being harmed further and will provide a suitable environment for the remainder of the species to live in.
Cause: We poached 96% of the population, generally for their horns.
Steps being taken to prevent further population declines: The Endangered Species Act signed in 1973 says that the government prevents the threatened species from being harmed further and will provide a suitable environment for the remainder of the species to live in.
Climate Change
Climate change affecting species:
Feral animals and weeds currently threaten the ecosystems of the tropical savannas region. Climate change is likely to increase the number of severe weather events the region experiences, including fire, floods and cyclones. As the vegetation becomes more stressed from these events, it is also likely to become more vulnerable to weeds and the actions of feral animal which would push out the native species and possibly drive them to extinction. The expansive wetlands of the tropical savannas are vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise. If sea-levels rise significantly, the vast freshwater floodplains of the region will be subject to significant saltwater inundation. This would affect all the animals living there who are relying on the freshwater such as the animals who drink the water and eat the fish or other animals living in the freshwater who would not survive if it suddenly becomes salt water.
Feral animals and weeds currently threaten the ecosystems of the tropical savannas region. Climate change is likely to increase the number of severe weather events the region experiences, including fire, floods and cyclones. As the vegetation becomes more stressed from these events, it is also likely to become more vulnerable to weeds and the actions of feral animal which would push out the native species and possibly drive them to extinction. The expansive wetlands of the tropical savannas are vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise. If sea-levels rise significantly, the vast freshwater floodplains of the region will be subject to significant saltwater inundation. This would affect all the animals living there who are relying on the freshwater such as the animals who drink the water and eat the fish or other animals living in the freshwater who would not survive if it suddenly becomes salt water.