A method for identifying high-priority areas in northern Australia for threat abatement and species recovery investments [ 2015-07-01 - 2016-06-30 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Bob Pressey (Principal investigator)

Brief description

Threat abatement and recovery planning, environmental impact assessment, and systematic conservation planning are among the processes inhibited by lack of information and explicit procedures to enable decision-making by the Australian Government, state and territory agencies, and Natural Resource Management bodies. Progress could be made by synthesising existing information from disparate sources, including the experience of experts, and using this information in a structured way to guide future management and development decisions.

A key goal of the project is to source data, expertise and methods to identify gaps in knowledge of threatened ecosystems and species, and of their interactions with threatening processes, that can be filled by subsequent research. The project plans to produce a “road map” to develop a best-practice approach that will guide management actions across northern Australia to abate threats to, and promote recovery of, biodiversity.

Research outputs:

A technical report covering:

• Spatial analysis and modelling of existing threats, in terms of current and potential future distributions;

• Spatial definition of northern Australian ecosystems

• Spatial analysis and modelling of threatened species

• Profiles of ecosystems and threatened species according to the threats they face

• Review of approaches to interpreting project outputs for prioritisation, policy, and day-to-day decision-making.

Notes In addition to the NESP funding, this project is matched by an equivalent amount of in-kind support and co-investment from project partners and collaborators.