'What am I gonna do – what about the future?

Gotta draw the line without delay

Why shouldn't I get emotional – the bush is sacred
Ancient life will fade away'
(John Williamson 1989) The chorus of John Williamson's 1989 song; Rip Rip Wood
chip highlights the damage done to Australian native flora and fauna by careless and
selfish land clearing. This essay will discuss two major problems for Australia's
natural environment, which are caused by Australians changing lifestyle. Due to an
ever growing population, Australia's natural environment has depleted. The reason
for this is; more area is needed, therefore the rate of land clearing is rising. Land
clearing causes two major problems for the natural Australian environment. These
problems include habitat loss and destruction and rising salinity levels. On one hand
native animals are losing their habitats, on the other hand, the government has the
ability to make an improvement in the survival of Australia's native vegetation. In
addition, there are a large amount of trees being cleared in Australia, the area is then
being replaced with shallow rooted crops, which creates increasing levels of salinity
in the soil. However, there are several approaches to effectively controlling salinity,
this includes a combined effort of agronomic measures and engineering options.
Land clearing has a negative impact on Australia's environment and native animal
population. There are ways to combat this impact and these measures need to be
taken now to prevent any irreversible damage done to Australia.

In Australia, the need for more area and resources is having a detrimental effect on
the survival of native animal and plant species, as their homes are being destroyed
by excessive land clearing. Thousands of hectares of native bushland are being
cleared to make way for agriculture and infrastructure. Between 2005 and 2006 it
was estimated that a total of 70 million animals were likely to have lost their lives due
to land clearing (Williams, 2008 p.18). The number of animals listed as endangered
and vulnerable has risen considerably since the year 2000. In fact, the figure of
endangered fauna species increased by 41 per cent between 2000 and 2009 and
the figure of vulnerable fauna species increased by 20 per cent over this interval
(ABS, 2010). In addition, a total of 63 animal species on the Sunshine Coast in
Queensland are at risk of becoming extinct. Among the 63 animal species is the
vulnerable Ninox Strenua or powerful owl. The powerful owl is a tree dwelling bird
and needs approximately 1000 hectares for a home range. Because of land clearing
this means, the owls must also now include degraded and cleared areas into their
home range (Moore, 2008). Possingham from the University of Queensland (2002,

Christie Webb Page 1 of 6

S0197959 LNGE40054
P.29) states that 'The story of land clearing and subsequent bird declines in the
Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia offers a salutary tale to other regions.' In
summation, it can be seen that significant damage has been done to the natural
fauna of Australia. Due to land clearing, animals are losing their habitats and in turn
are becoming increasingly endangered, protected or possibly even extinct.

In Australia, governmental bodies at a local, national and international level have the
ability to reduce and repair the effects on the natural environment and natural
habitats of native fauna, caused directly by land clearing. Governmental leaders
need to concentrate on underlying driving forces rather than merely regulating
proximate causes (Burnscott, 2008).There are a number of strategies that a
government can adopt and implement in the community to reduce the effects. These
strategies include: taking into consideration the irreplaceable ecosystem services
that are provided by the natural habitat. Secondly, the sections of natural habitat that
remain in the environment need to be protected to ensure they remain intact. Thirdly,
the public need to be educated about the importance of natural habitat corridors and
the biodiversity of the community. Fourthly, in areas of rapid population growth,
family planning programs need to be developed and implemented. Fifthly, ways of
increasing agricultural out put need to be found instead of focusing on the total area
in production. Lastly, habitat corridors need to be preserved in order to minimise the
prior damage from fragmented habitats (Rowland, 2010). Even though the
government has the strongest power to be able to make a change in the legislation
and regulations within Australia; everyday people also have the power to be able to
make a change. After all, 'If you are not part of the solution , you are part of the
problem' (Nottidge, 2010) The average person can plant native trees in their area, try
replacing exotic species with native ones, help out by removing weeds growing in the
garden and help out with a local community group to clean up local bushland
(Moore, 2010) It can be seen that, there are a number of simple things that can be
done in order to protect Australia's native habitats. These include a participation on a
governmental level and a personal level within everyday peoples lives and homes.

The clearing of mature bushland, and its replacement with much shallower rooted
crops and pastures, has been a direct cause in the occurrence of dry land salinity in
Australia. Salinity is defined as a presence of soluble salts in the soil, surface water
and ground water. 'dry land salinity is the expression of salt at the soil surface or
within capillary range, concentrated by the evaporation of saline groundwater
discharging as a result of land use or land management (Robins, 2004). Salts can

Christie Webb Page 2 of 6

S0197959 LNGE40054
include all forms of salts such as, sodium chloride, calcium, magnesium, carbonate,
bicarbonate and sulphate. The salinity that is caused directly by human activity such
as land clearing is known as secondary salinity. Salinity occurs when the
groundwater rises and salts in the soil are dissolved by this water. The dissolved
salts are then deposited in the soil, leaving vegetation to degrade (Rowland, 2010).
Introduced species are replacing vegetation that has been cleared. These introduced
species use less water which results in an increased level of groundwater. Salinity is
a large problem for Australia, causing various problems, such as, a decline in
agricultural productivity output, water damage, damage to various infrastructure.
Including: roads, buildings, fences, railways, water pipes, water supply systems
houses and gas pipes. Salinity also creates a large amount of social expenditure
(Burnscott, 2008). Salinity will continue to be a problem in Australia.
'The Murray - Darling Basin Salinity Audit, released in late 1999, has confirmed that
salinity levels in many rivers and important wetlands, will climb steeply in the next
decades, and three to five million hectares of land will suffer serious salinisation within 50
years. The major wetlands of the basin – Macquarie Marshes, Great Cumbung Swamp,
Avoca Marshes and Chowpilla Flood plain – are expected to suffer additional impacts.
Scientists predict a decline in species diversity and changes in the composition of species
in the internationally important RAMSAR listed, Macquarie Marshes. By 2100, salinity
could be costing the basin between $600 and $1000 million per year in lost productivity
and infrastructure, damage to roads etc.'(Healy, 2001).
To summarise, it is evident that salinity, caused by large amounts of land clearing,
creates a huge environmental and social problem for Australia.

There are several approaches to effectively controlling dry land salinity in Australia,
including the protection of remaining vegetation, agronomic measures and
engineering solutions. Controlling salinity involves a combination of management
practices. This approach has proven to be highly effective in management of already
existing salinity. By protecting remaining vegetation, the levels of recharge in soil are
controlled somewhat. Agronomic approaches include strategies such as, improving
farming practices, introduce suitable deep rooted species and plant trees to control
groundwater. Engineering solutions include, salt land farming, incorporating paths,
channels and contour banks into the land, drainage of surface water, drainage of
saline groundwater and the pumping of fresh water to the lower water tables
(Robins, 2004). It is estimated that saline groundwater is rising by 0.3 to 0.5 metres
per year (Rowland, 2010). Robins (2004, p.97) claims that;
'To make major progress in extensive treatments to prevent further salinisation, it will be
important to develop solutions that are profitable, including markets for ecosystem
services. A wider range of commercially viable, deep rooted perennial plants, including
trees, shrubs and herbs is needed'
Overall, there is a solution to salinity and its effects in Australia, provided there is a
combined effort of protecting remaining vegetation, agronomic measures and
appropriate engineering procedures.

Christie Webb Page 3 of 6

S0197959 LNGE40054
Australia's natural environment has been affected by large amounts of devastating
land clearing. Without action now, more animals will loose their lives and possibly
become extinct. In conclusion, it is evident that animals are becoming increasingly
endangered, protected or extinct, however by everyday people and the government
and the community working together there is a way back from the devastation of
land clearing. In addition it is evident that, salinity, caused by large amounts of land
clearing is creating a huge environmental and social problem for Australia; however
a combined effort is the best solution to reverse the effects of salinity. Finally, people
in the community need to work together to protect Australia's natural environment,
protect Australia's native animals and most importantly protect the future of all
Australians.

Christie Webb Page 4 of 6

S0197959 LNGE40054
References

ABS 2010, Year Book Australia: 2002, Australia Bureau of Statistics, viewed 21 May
2010, www.abs.gov.au

ABS 2010, Year Book Australia: 2009 – 2010, Australian Bureau of Statistics,
viewed 21May 2010, www.abs.gov.au
Burnscott, L 2008, Environment Australia: Salinity, Echidna books, Port Melbourne
VIC.

Cosgrove, L, Evans, D & Yencken, D (ed.) 1994, Restoring the Land: Environmental
Values, Knowledge and action, Melbourne University Press, Carlton.

'Facing extinction' 2002, Ecos 113, vol. October – December, p. 29.

Farrington, P & Salama, R 1995, Controlling dryland salinity by planting trees in the
best hydrogeological setting, CSIRO Division of Water Resources, Wembley.

Halse, S Ruprecht, J & Pinder, A 2003, 'Salinisation and prospects for biodiversity in
rivers and wet lands of south west Western Australia', Australian Journal of Botany,
vol. 51, no. 6, pp. 673 – 688, (online Ebscohost).

Healy, J (ed) 2001, Issues in society: Biodiversity, The Spinney Press, Rozelle
NSW.

Moore, E 2010, Save me please, The Weekender, viewed 21 May 2010,

www.theweekender.com.au/features_det.php?id=331

Robins, L 2004, Dryland Salinity and Catchment Management – A Resorce

Directory and Action Manual for Catchment Managers, National Dryland Salinity
Program, Land and Water Australia, Canberra ACT.

Rowland, B 2010, Salinity, Information for Action, viewed 21 July 2010,

www.informaction.org/cgi-bin/gPage.pl?menu=menua.txt&main-
salinity_gen.txt&s=Salinity

Williams, B 2008, 'Clearing's heavy toll on wildlife', Courier Mail, 8 September, p. 14.

Christie Webb Page 5 of 6

S0197959 LNGE40054
Williamson, J 1989 n.d, Rip Rip Woodchip, song lyric, Emusic pty ltd,
www.johnwilliamson.com.au/music/rip_rip_woodchip.html

World Wildlife Fund, 2003 'Proposed land clearing solution welcomed by

environment groups' , Courier Mail, 22 May, (online ebscohost).

World Wildlife Fund, 2010, Land Clearing, The World Wildlife Fund, viewed 21 July
2010, http://www.wwf.org.au/ourwork/land/clearing/

Christie Webb Page 6 of 6

S0197959 LNGE40054