To prevent regional extinctions, an alliance of environment organisations is calling for a moratorium on land clearing across 1 million hectares between Barrington Tops and Hawkesbury River.*
The Barrington to Hawkesbury Climate Corridors Alliance today released a second detailed report based on habitat suitability modelling and NSW Government climate corridor mapping, to identify 22 wildlife corridors essential for the survival of threatened species in face of climate change.
Author of the report Paul Winn of the Hunter Community Environment Centre says “While our analysis of the available data specific to the Barrington to Hawkesbury region reveals that suitable habitat for fauna species will be severely degraded by the effects of climate change, flora species will suffer far greater extinctions and range contractions.
In all, habitat for 74 Threatened flora species were modelled within the Barrington to Hawkesbury region. Of these, 64 (86%) suffer significant range contractions, with 38 (51%) having no suitable habitat within the next 50 years under a worst-case climate scenario.
The Barrington to Hawkesbury Climate Corridor proposal protects these species habitat and from further degradation and fragmentation and connects them with large-scale functioning wildlife corridors that span climatic gradients and enhance the capacity of populations to seek refuge as the climate changes.
If we are to provide the greatest chance for native species to survive the ravages of climate change, these connected habitats must be protected from further fragmentation and degradation. If we wish to minimise native species’ extinction, climate refugia and identified Climate Corridors must be legally protected.”
*The NSW coastal region between Barrington Tops and the Hawkesbury River connects two World Heritage Areas. The region spans almost 11,300 km2 and includes the Local Government Areas (LGA) of Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Newcastle, Maitland, Port Stephens, Dungog, and the former Great Lakes Council area of Mid Coast LGA.
Caption for map: Melaleuca biconvexa 2000-2070. Sighted since 2000. Regional extinction by 2070 under all 4 climate futures.
