BioDiversity Month

The following is an extract from The Australian Governemt Department of Environment and Energy

Biodiversity Month is held in September each year and aims to promote the importance of protecting, conserving and improving biodiversity both within Australia and across the world.

The Australian Government through the Department is committed to protecting Australia’s unique biodiversity. Most of our broad range of programs and initiatives aim to ensure our important environments and habitats are preserved for future generations of Australians to appreciate and enjoy.

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity has been described as the variety of the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes and ecosystems which we are all a part of.

Biodiversity encompasses every living thing that exists on our planet and the environment in which they live. From the smallest one-cell microbe to the enormous majesty of the blue whale. From the depths of the Pacific Ocean to peaks of our tallest mountains, biodiversity forms part of an intricate and interdependent web of life in which we are all a part.

Australia is home to between 600,000 and 700,000 species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. About 84 per cent of our plants, 83 per cent of our mammals, and 45 per cent of our birds are endemic — that is, they are only found in Australia.

The marine environment is home to thousands of marine species, some of which are unique to Australia and all of which contribute to making Australia the most biodiversity-rich developed country in the world. This includes at least 45 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises.

Why is biodiversity important?

Human beings depend for their sustenance, health, well-being and enjoyment of life on biodiversity. We derive all of our food and many medicines and industrial products from the wild and domesticated components of biological diversity. Biodiversity is the basis for much of our recreation and tourism, and includes the ecosystems which provide us with many services such as clean water.

5 Ideas to protect Biodiversity

There are a number of ways individuals and communities can help protect biodiversity in their local area.

• Create a natural habitat in your backyard. Look at plants that are native to your region and help create a backyard sanctuary for local birds and wildlife.
• Get rid of weeds. What seems like a perfectly harmless plant can turn into a noxious weed if it jumps your back fence and heads into bushland. Check out what's considered a weed in your part of the country at Weeds in Australia 
• Be a responsible pet owner. If you can no longer keep your pet do not release it into the wild. This includes pet fish — do not flush them down the toilet or put them into local streams. Make sure your cat is de-sexed and either keep it indoors or invest in an outdoor cat run — domestic cats can have a devastating effect on local wildlife.

• Be an informed seafood eater. Don’t eat threatened fish species. To find out what species you should avoid at the fish market go to Find a Fish — FishNames.com.au 
• Understand what you can and can’t take with you when you travel. Some tourist souvenirs and items you buy over the internet are made from or contain derivatives of plants and animals. If you are bringing plants or animals into or out of Australia, go to Information for travellers and online shoppers beforehand.

Conclusion

We have discussed a few Biodiversity Protection Issues throughout the year so we have included a few new ones for your to mull over. Biodiversity Month is in September of every year. Things like improving bushland, desexing your cat and making a run for it, avoiding eating threatened fish species and avoiding tourist souvenirs derived from natural plant and animal species aretop of our environmentalist list this month. You cna read more at http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/biodiversity-month