Habitat Destruction in Australia
by Martin Higgins
Why is it such a big issue?
-Australia is in the top 10 Land clearing nations in the world, and clear more land than can grow back!
-Because of this, they have lost more animals due to extinction than any other country
Statistics
-Over 5 million parrots, honeyeaters, robins, and other land birds are killed each year by land clearing
- for every 100 hectares of bush destroyed, 1,000 to 2,000 animals are killed
- more than 310 animal species and 1,180 plant species are at a risk of being lost forever
Koala's
The remaining koala habitat's are being destroyed due to logging
Extinction
Since Australia's settling, 50 bird + animal species, 4 frog species, and 60 plant species have become extinct and many more are soon to become endangered.
Salt Poisoning
When the areas are cleared, it releases salt deposits that poison the soil so nothing else grows.
Percent of Land Cleared
- 50% of all forests
- 60% of coastal wetlands
- 75% of rainforests
- 99% of temperate grasslands