General

Summary of native biodiversity benefits

Fact Sheet No 2
Native biodiversity can contribute to many aspects of our lives including our health and wellbeing, our relationships with family and friends, and the farm bottom line. In this fact sheet a combination of family experiences and property case studies provide practical examples to indicate the range of different benefits that native biodiversity can contribute to farming families.

Why should landholders care about managing native biodiversity on their properties?
Whats in it for them? What benefits can they expect from valuing native biodiversity values? Sue Loughridge (dairy farmer from South Gippsland) indicates that the original motivation for planting their steep, over-cleared property was not necessarily driven by visions of improved productivity. As a young farmer, her job was to check areas of heavy tunnel erosion for trapped calves. Today, with over 25,000 trees and shrubs planted, the tunnel erosion has disappeared and native birds and animals have returned in greater numbers. The next generation of Loughridge farmers have never had to clamber through windswept and waterlogged paddocks with the expectation of finding dying stock. An impressive result of all the hard work has been substantial production increases with improved stock health (calves dont die in erosion gullies anymore!). All family members have reaped the benefits of working to improve native biodiversity on the property. The Fentons (mixed farming enterprise at Branxholme) found that modifying property management not only reduced chemical use and dependence on fertiliser but also freed up funds to allow for a well deserved family holiday. Planting windbreaks was certainly a priority for John Fenton after his future father in law and mentor described the property in 1954 as a god-forsaken place and if you want my daughter to stay with you, youll have to do something about it. Certainly a major motivation for any young farmer to improve biodiversity values! Both of these examples demonstrate that different experiences may lead to an appreciation of improved native biodiversity values. Both families have received economic rewards from incorporating native biodiversity as an integral part of their property management. However, native biodiversity has also contributed in noneconomic ways to their overall wealth. Their stories are by no means unique and many rural families have discovered that native biodiversity contributes to their property and lifestyle in ways that they originally would never have anticipated. The table on the next page lists (in no particular order) some of the benefits native biodiversity may contribute to creating an ecologically sustainable property, adding value to the family lifestyle or increasing productivity. Whilst not exhaustive, this list provides a summary of native biodiversity benefits and may provide a useful reference for landholders who are preparing a list of the individual strengths and opportunities of incorporating native biodiversity as part of their property management planning.

NATIVE BIODIVERSITY RESOURCE KIT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE

Page 1

General
Summary of native biodiversity benefits
Fact Sheet No 2

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Shelterbelt establishment

BENEFITS TO FARMING FAMILIES

Increased shelter for stock, pasture and crops (resulting in increased production) Increased property value Fewer stock losses Legacy for future generations Contributes to reduced erosion Spray drift moderated Increased stock health Retention of remnant vegetation Improved property landscape and aesthetics Conservation and protection of rare species Legacy for future generations Habitat for birds, mammals and insects (potential reduction in insecticide use) Increased shelter for stock, pasture and crops (resulting in increased production) Potential for family recreational opportunities (bird watching, nature walks, etc.) Maintenance of native grasses Fire protection (green fuel in summer) Low rates of fertilizer required

Better working and living conditions for the family Potential wildlife corridors Return of bird and other wildlife species Contributes to lower water tables Improved property landscape and aesthetics Stabilises soil surface Fire protection (slower wind speeds)

Less reliance on introduced pollinators Natural regeneration of indigenous species Seed supply for on-farm revegetation Increased gross value of pasture output (at its highest when proportion of remnants is 34%) Reduced salinity, waterlogging, wind and water erosion problems Increased property values

Feed source (selective grazing) in summer Reduced micron size for wool

Retention or establishment of native vegetation around farm dams and wetlands Decreased stock fatalities Bank stabilisation Waterfowl eat the snail that hosts the liver fluke parasite in sheep Interception and use of nutrients before entering storage Wetlands established Fire protection (firebreak and water source) Drought back-up Family swimming area Habitat created (with resultant natural pest control) Safer working conditions Increase in wildlife species Natural filtration provides cleaner water for stock and homestead

NATIVE BIODIVERSITY RESOURCE KIT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE

Page 2

General
Summary of native biodiversity benefits
Fact Sheet No 2
The following seven tables list a general range of research findings that may provide some facts or figures to be used when discussing the economic benefits that a farming enterprise may derive from biodiversity. Authors and publications have been cited to enable the original source to be reviewed to ascertain the suitability of the data to a particular region, climate or set of farming practices. This list is by no means complete and has been provided as an indication of the type of data that is currently available. The benefits have been listed under the following categories: economic benefits to the: - meat industry - wool industry - dairy industry - grain industry - horticultural industry general economic benefits contribution of native fauna to pest control.

Benefits of biodiversity economic (meat industry)

Windbreaks Protected areas of a farm have a 20-30% higher yield than unprotected areas, with annual benefits of $38 to $66 per hectare. Fitzpatrick, D., (1994), Money Trees on Your

Property: profit gained through trees and how to grow them, Inkata, Sydney.
Anderson, G., (1986), The Effects of Trees on Crop and Animal Production, Trees and Natural Resources, Vol 28. No 4.

Cold stress reduces liveweight gain in cattle by 31% over several weeks. Shade Heat stress can markedly reduce stock fertility, milk production, and weight gain, and increase mortality of calves and sheep. Heat stress may cause abortion and certainly causes calves to be born undersized and consequently more susceptible to heat stress. Shorthorn cows resting in shade continue to chew their cud whereas cows in the sun abstain. Because rumination increases the heat produced, heat-stressed stock abstain so as to reduce metabolic heat production. After grazing, chewing cud is the second most important activity of cattle, so abstaining directly affects productivity. Pasture growth Sheltered pastures lose 12mm of water less than open pastures during the spring growing season (Armidale NSW). Protected areas of a farm have a 20% increase (estimated) in average annual pasture growth.

Cremer, K.W., (ed.), (1990), Trees for Rural Australia, Inkata Press, Sydney. Cremer, K.W., (ed.), (1990), Trees for Rural Australia, Inkata Press, Sydney. Cremer, K.W., (ed.), (1990), Trees for Rural Australia, Inkata Press, Sydney.

Siepen, G., (1983), Trees for Farms, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Sydney. Radcliffe, J.E., (1983), Grassland Responses to Shelter - a review, New Zealand Journal of Experimental Agriculture 11: 5-10. Walpole, S.C., (1998), Catchment Benefits of Remnant Native Vegetation Conservation, Charles Sturt University, Johnston Centre, Albury.

Gross value of pasture output is at its highest level when the proportion of tree (i.e. natural remnants) area on a farm is at 34% (Gunnedah, North West NSW). Stocking rates Lighter stocking of native grasslands showed benefits in terms of improved livestock performance, reduced drought costs and changed farm overhead costs. On farm benefits are expected to almost outweigh the direct effect of the reduction in sheep numbers.

Crosthwaite, J., and Malcolm, B., (1998), An

Economic Analysis of Native Pasture in the Hills and Tablelands of South-eastern Australia, Institute of
Land and Food Resources, University of Melbourne, Melbourne.

NATIVE BIODIVERSITY RESOURCE KIT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE

Page 3

General
Summary of native biodiversity benefits
Fact Sheet No 2

Benefits of biodiversity economic (wool industry)

General Pro-active management of improved and existing native pastures for increased land productivity has proved to be the difference between the top 20% of producers and the average. (Monaro). Windbreaks When comparing sheep in sheltered areas to those with no shelter there is a 31% increase in wool production and 21% increase (6kg) in live-weight (5 year trial). Cold stress reduces live-weight gain by 6kg in sheep. Lynch, J.J., and Donnelly, J.B., (1980), Changes in Pasture and Animal Production Resulting from the Use of Windbreaks, Australian Journal of Agriculture, 31:967-979. Anderson, G., (1986), The Effects of Trees on Crop and Animal Production, Trees and Natural Resources, Vol 28. No 4. Anderson, G., (1986), The Effects of Trees on Crop and Animal Production, Trees and Natural Resources, Vol 28. No 4. Bird, R., (1981), Benefits of Tree Planting in South West Victoria, Trees and Victorias Resources, 23: 26. Squires, V.R., (1983), The value of trees as shelter for livestock, crops and pastures: a review, in F.J. van der Sommen, R. Boardman, V. Squires, Trees in Severn Park Merino Stud, (2000), 2000 Newsletter, 6 steps to Profit with Merinos . www.severnparkmerinos.com.au/

Cold stress depresses wool growth by 25%.

When comparing sheep in sheltered areas to those with no shelter there is a 50% reduction in lambing losses (average losses without shelter were 36% for twins and 16% for single births (South-west Victoria, Eastern Highlands). Winter lamb mortality from birth to 48 hours was greater in an exposed group of single lambs (14%), than a sheltered group (4%). Likewise, mortality rates of twins was 9% in shelter and 28% when exposed (Western Victoria).

the Rural Environment: towards a greenprint for South Australia, Roseworthy Agricultural College,
Roseworthy, South Australia.

A 27% increase in survival of single lambs was observed in sheltered areas, but no advantage was evident to twins during periods of rain with temperatures <5 0C (Southern Australia). Sheltered off-shears wethers only required about one third the amount of supplementary feed to maintain body weight as unsheltered off-shears wethers (results obtained during a period of poor weather). Shade Rain reduces the insulating value of an animals coat by up to 30% (this is particularly a problem for sheep). Heat load reduction on ewes at joining and lambing results in 10-16% more lambs present at marking.

Bird, P.R., Lynch, J.J. and Obst, J.M., (1984), Effect of Shelter on Plant and Animal Production, Animal Production in Australia 15: 270 273. Kingham L., (1996). Winning battles but losing the war? in Proceedings of Remnant Vegetation in the Central West, Orange.

Cremer, K.W., (ed). (1990), Trees for Rural Australia, Inkata Press, Sydney. Wakefield. S., (1989), Designing windbreaks on farms, Forestry Commission of NSW, NSW Agriculture and Fisheries, Soil Conservation Service of NSW, Sydney. Wakefield. S., (1989), Designing windbreaks on farms, Forestry Commission of NSW, NSW Agriculture and Fisheries, Soil Conservation Service of NSW, Sydney. Anderson, G., (1986), The Effects of Trees on Crop and Animal Production, Trees and Natural Resources, Vol 28. No 4. Anderson, G., (1986), The Effects of Trees on Crop and Animal Production, Trees and Natural Resources, Vol 28. No 4.

Heat load reduction on ewes at joining and lambing results in lambs with a faster growth rate and more wool during their first 16 months of life (Northern Queensland). Heat stress reduces wool growth by reducing feed intake.

Heat stress is detrimental to ram fertility, ovulation rate and conception in ewes, and foetal development.

NATIVE BIODIVERSITY RESOURCE KIT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE

Page 4

General
Summary of native biodiversity benefits
Fact Sheet No 2

Pasture Sheltered pastures lose 12mm of water less than open pastures during the spring growing season (Armidale NSW). Productivity of native pastures can be increased with regular use of low rates of fertiliser. A return to capital of 15% (real) could be expected based on a stocking rate increase of 4 dry sheep equivalent per hectare over 10 years. Plots sheltered by barriers had 18% more pasture (Armidale, NSW). Siepen, G., (1983), Trees for farms, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Sydney. Crosthwaite, J., and Malcolm, B., (1998), An

Economic Analysis of Native Pasture in the Hills and Tablelands of South-eastern Australia, Institute of
Land and Food Resources, University of Melbourne, Melbourne.

Lynch, J.J., and Donnelly, J.B., (1980), Changes in Pasture and Animal Production Resulting from the Use of Windbreaks, Australian Journal of Agriculture, 31:967-979.

Benefits of biodiversity economic (dairy industry)

Pasture Sheltered pastures lose 12mm of water less than open pastures during the spring growing season (Armidale NSW). Windbreaks Milk yields are depressed by cold at a rate of up to 1.34kg per day (4% fat corrected milk). On a day of 27C, unsheltered cows will have 26% less dairy milk production than unshaded stock. Over 60 years (if the lifetime of the shelter and fencing is taken to be 44-60 years) total dairy production will increase by 30% (20% improved pasture growth, 10% improved milk production), and $150/ha of sheltered pasture (Victoria). Sheltered areas have up to a 17% increase (estimated) in dairy milk production. Anderson, G., (1986), The Effects of Trees on Crop and Animal Production, Trees and Natural Resources, Vol 28. No 4. Fitzpatrick, D., (1994), Money Trees on Your Siepen, G., (1983), Trees for farms, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Sydney.

Property: profit gained through trees and how to grow them, Inkata Press, Sydney.
Fitzpatrick, D., (1994), Money Trees on Your

Property: profit gained through trees and how to grow them, Inkata Press, Sydney.
Blare, D., (1994), Benefits of Remnant Vegetation: focus on rural lands and rural communities, Prepared for Protecting Remnant Bushland. Orange Agricultural College, Orange.

Shade Heat stress can markedly reduce stock fertility, milk production and increase mortality of calves. Cremer, K.W., (ed.), (1990), Trees for Rural Australia, Inkata Press, Sydney.

Benefits of Biodiversity economic (grain industry)

Windbreaks Sand blasting of cereal crops at the seedling stage leads to reduced plant growth due to moisture stress and physical damage. An increased net cereal yield of 15% per annum was attributed to sheltering effects of windbreaks (USA). Anderson, G., (1986), The Effect of Trees on Crop and Animal Production, Trees and Natural Resources, Vol. 28, No. 4. pp. 14-17. Adamson, E., (1988), The Relationship Between Environment, Melbourne. Windbreaks increased crop yields by 25%. Although trees rob the crop for a distance equal to about twice their own height, they shelter a much larger area, extending downwind for at least 15 times their own height (Overseas, not specified).

Trees and Rural Productivity: a literature review and annotated bibliography, Ministry for Planning and
Dengate, J., (1983), Windbreaks and shade trees help landowners and wildlife, Habitat 11(1): 14-15.

NATIVE BIODIVERSITY RESOURCE KIT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE

Page 5

General
Summary of native biodiversity benefits
Fact Sheet No 2
Windbreaks (continued) An increase in wheat and crop yields in sheltered zones estimated between 22% and 47% (Rutherglen). Bird, P. R., Bicknell, D., Bulman, P.A., Burke, S.J.A., Leys, J.F., Parker, J.N., van der Sommen, F.J., Voller, P., (1993), The role of shelter in Australia for protecting soils, plants and livestock, in R.T. Prinsley and J. Allnut (eds), The Role of Trees in Sustainable Agriculture. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht. Richmond, E., (1992), Economic Benefits to the

An increase in lupin yield by 19-22% when the area of shelterbelt was included in the net yield/ha, and an increase of 27% on the lupin crop area between the windbreaks (South-west Western Australia).

Farmer of Maintaining and Protecting Remnant Native Vegetation on Farms in the South-west of Western Australia, Water Authority of Western
Australia, Leederville.

Benefits of biodiversity economic (horticultural industry)

Windbreak Wind can destroy blossom prior to setting, damage and discolor fruit, increase fruit fall and increase insect damage. Pollination As much as 50% of pollination is carried out by native insects that fly to crops from nearby bushland. CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology, and Sidney Myer Centenary Celebration, (2000), The Nature and Cremer, K.W., (ed.), (1990), Trees for Rural Australia, Inkata Press, Sydney.

Value of Australias Ecosystem Services.

http://www.ecosystemservicesproject.org/html/publi cations/docs/Qld_Env_Conf_Paper.pdf Pollination of crops by insects and birds has been estimated to be worth between $600 million and $1.2 billion (1990 estimate). CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology, and Sidney Myer Centenary Celebration, (2000), The Nature and

Value of Australias Ecosystem Services.

http://www.ecosystemservicesproject.org/html/publi cations/docs/Qld_Env_Conf_Paper.pdf Increased yields of 20%-100% were observed in sheltered horticultural crops compared with unsheltered crops. Fitzpatrick, D., (1994), Money Trees on your

Property: profit gained through trees and how to grow them, Inkata Press, Sydney.

Benefits of biodiversity economic (general)

Aesthetics was a private benefit of native vegetation retention recognised by most landholders. Most of the aesthetic benefits were expressed in terms of visual amenity. 89% of Victorian respondents and 93% of NSW respondents identified aesthetic benefits. The attitude of respondents was that the presence of trees improved the attractiveness of the landscape, that the look of bare treeless paddocks and hills was highly undesirable, and in some cases that the trees had a spiritual, therapeutic effect. Farms with good remnant vegetation cover increase in capital value. There was a 15% increase in farm value in one survey in the central west area of NSW. The Valuer-general valued the best vegetated farm at $140ha more than the district (Booroowa) average value in 1996. In the Orange district there was a 35% premium over average values Under current management, about 53% of Victorian participants and about 82% of NSW participants were gaining a net economic benefit from their remnant native vegetation. Miles, C.A., (1998), An Assessment of the On-farm

Economic Values of Remnant Native Vegetation in North-east Victoria, Honours thesis, School of
Environmental and Information Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury.

Clowes, A., personal communication in S. McMahon, (1997), Farm Ecology (biodiversity conservation) in Property Management Planning, Farming for the Future, National Parks and Wildlife Service. Reported at the Remnant Vegetation Conference Orange, 1996 in Anon. (1997), The Economics of Landcare, C.B Alexander Agricultural College, NSW. Lockwood, M., Walpole, S.C. and Miles, C.A., (2000), Paper, No /00, Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.

Economics of Remnant Native Vegetation Conservation on Private Property, LWRDC Occasional

NATIVE BIODIVERSITY RESOURCE KIT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE

Page 6

Summary of native biodiversity benefits

Fact Sheet No 2

Benefits of biodiversity contribution of native fauna to pest control

100 Straw-necked Ibis consume up to 25,000 insects per day (notably locusts and grasshoppers). A Straw-necked Ibis rookery in Victoria consumed about 500 tonnes (estimate) of food per day. Ibis provide natural insect pest control on 100,000 hectares of adjacent crop-land, worth an estimated $675,000 a year (Barmah and Gunbower forest). Magpies will consume up to 40 scarab larvae per day. Insectivorous bats can consume up to half their body weight in invertebrates in a night and some species feed extensively on agricultural pests. They therefore play an important role in maintaining the health of the rural landscape. The diet of the Southern Freetail Bat (Mormopterus spp.) comprises approximately 80% Rutherglen Bug. Davidson, R., and Davidson, S., (1992), Bushland on Farms do you have a choice? AGPS, Canberra. Butz, M., (1985), Think Tree Grow Tree, AGPS, Canberra. Glanznig, A., (1999), Native Vegetation and Farm Productivity: the biodiversity connection, Australian Landcare pp52-53. Heatwole, H., and Lowman, M., (1986), Dieback: Death on an Australian Landscape, Reed, Sydney. Lumsden, L. & Bennett, A. (2000) Bats in rural landscapes: a significant but largely unknown faunal component, Bushcare Grassy Landscapes Conference, pp. 42-50, Environment Australia: Biodiversity Group, Canberra www.deh.gov.au Lumsden. L., (2001), The Ecological Role of Insectivorous Bats in Rural Landscapes in NRE Chief

Scientists Biodiversity Science Symposium 15 May 2001, Department of Natural Resources and
Environment, East Melbourne. McMahon, S., (1997), Farm Ecology (Biodiversity and Wildlife Service, NSW.

Sugar Gliders consume up to 18,000 scarab beetles per hectare per season (in areas where there is enough winter food, mainly from wattles). Sugar Gliders have been estimated to eat 3.25 kg of insects per year.

Conservation) in Property Management Planning. Farming for the Future (Brochure), National Parks
Breckwoldt. R., (1983), Wildlife in the Back Paddock, Angus and Robertson, Sydney.

Benefits of biodiversity ecosystem services

Biodiversity contributes to on-farm activities by maintaining the broader environment in which agricultural enterprises operate. We have long understood the importance of the services which nature provides, but only recently has research been undertaken to fully quantify their contribution to agricultural enterprises. What value is put on the services provided by nature? How is it possible to put an economic value on biodiversity? Is it possible to objectively value the contribution of biodiversity on farms to sustaining our everyday lives? Apart from a few isolated examples there is limited appreciation of the broad range of values of the services that Australian ecosystems provide. Ecosystem services flow from nature to provide us with financial, ecological and cultural benefits. Landholders are both beneficiaries and suppliers of ecosystem services. People are probably aware of the value of products such as timber that are harvested from nature. But a number of other benefits derived by having land dedicated to forests can also be identified. The service provided by the forest is not just the value of the timber, but a forest also provides a whole range of multiple benefits or ecosystem services such as contributing to water quality, climate control, biodiversity conservation, salinity and catchment management. Landholders cant survive in the long term without these (a 1992 study of the Thompson River Catchment concluded that the value of water to society exceeded the value of timber).

NATIVE BIODIVERSITY RESOURCE KIT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE.

Page 7

General
Summary of native biodiversity benefits
Fact Sheet No 2
The CSIRO Ecosystem Services Project (www.ecosystemservicesproject.org) indicated that the services provided by nature can be categorised under one of the following sixteen categories:
Ecosystem Service Biological control Example Predator control by prey species

Climate regulation

Greenhouse gas regulation

Cultural

Aesthetics; recreational, educational, spiritual benefits

Disturbance regulation

Storm protection, flood control

Erosion control, sediment retention

Prevention of loss of soil

Food production

Production of fish, game, bush foods

Gas regulation

CO2 / 02 balance

Genetic resources

Genes for resistance to plant pathogens and crop pests

Nutrient cycling

Nitrogen fixation

Pollination

Provision of pollinators

Raw materials

Production of timber, fuel or fodder

Refugia

Regional habitats for locally harvested species

Soil formation

Accumulation of organic material

Waste treatment

Pollution control

Water regulation

Provision of clean water for agriculture

Water supply

Provision of water by watersheds, reservoirs

NATIVE BIODIVERSITY RESOURCE KIT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE

Page 8

General
Summary of native biodiversity benefits
Fact Sheet No 2

Ranking and identifying ecosystem services

What services are important to your enterprise? The table on the next page is based on a summary of the priority ecosystem services identified during an inventory of ecosystem goods and services in the Goulburn Broken catchment.1 The ecosystem services listed were categorised as being critical to the future of the catchment. This summary below is based on contribution of the services to an entire catchment. If you were to prepare a similar list for your own property would it identify the same priorities?
Dairy Climate regulation Erosion control, sediment retention Soil formation Water supply Water regulation Waste treatment Grain Biological control Erosion control, sediment retention Soil formation Water regulation Waste treatment Horticulture Biological control Climate regulation Pollination Refugia Soil formation Water regulation Water supply Waste treatment Meat and wool Biological control Cultural Erosion control, sediment retention Genetic resources Nutrient cycling Raw materials Refugia Soil formation Waste treatment Water supply
Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment Melbourne, November 2004 The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Victorian Government, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne. ISBN 1 74106 617 4 For more information contact the DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186 This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au
1 Binning, S., Cork. S., Parry, R. and Shelton, D. (2001). Natural Assets; an inventory of ecosystem goods and services in the Goulburn Broken catchment. CSIRO, Canberra. www.ecosystemservicesproject.org

NATIVE BIODIVERSITY RESOURCE KIT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE

Page 9