In
2006/2007 the Claise Brook Catchment Group, with the assistance of
relevant City of Perth staff, prepared a Local Biodiversity Study
for the City of Perth.
Click the
links above to read more about different aspects of this project including
stories
about animals people have seen with Perth city and
pictures of
the cultural use of native flora
and fauna. Our members
undertook field
surveys of all
parks and reserves in the city which assisted in the preparation of the
study. Click the links below to download the study.
Download Perth Biodiversity Study (1 Meg)
Download the Perth Biodiversity Study Appendices (1.5 Meg)
Biodiversity hotspot
The Swan
Coastal Plain has a large number of plant and animal species, many of
which occur nowhere else in the world making Perth one of the most
biodiverse cities in the world. Since 2001 the WA Local Government
Association (WALGA) through the
Perth
Biodiversity Project has provided funding and technical assistance to
metropolitan councils wishing to conserve the biodiversity within their
area. At first glance there may appear to be limited opportunities to
protect biodiversity within the city centre, however the river foreshore,
Kings Park and the possibility of greenbelts along major roads and the
railway do give some hope of enhancing biodiversity within the city. In
addition, there is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of biodiversity
issues to people who visit or work within the city.
"Why the variety?
Several factors contribute to
Perth’s great biodiversity. Australia is geologically old, which has
given animals and plants a long time to evolve, undisturbed by major
geological upheaval. The Perth Metropolitan Region contains two distinct
landscape types - the Darling Plateau to the east and the Swan Coastal
Plain to the west. The Darling Plateau is an ancient plateau of Archaean
origin - half as old as the Earth itself. The Swan Coastal Plain is made
up of more recent sedimentary deposits of the Perth Basin. The soils are
old and weathered, characterised by nutrient-deficient sandy soils.
Put
simply, it is like nowhere else on Earth.
Animals and plants have
responded to the environment in remarkable ways. These include intricate
relationships between plants and fungi, seeds that drop beside the
mother plant, beds of seagrass and reptiles that swim through sand.
There is an urgent need to conserve this rich biological heritage. It
will come at some cost. But it will be worth it if we value Perth’s
special and unique character and want it to last."
Perth Biodiversity Project
Local
Biodiversity Study
In
preparing the Local Biodiversity Study, the methodology
developed by the Perth Biodiversity Project for assessing biodiversity and
preparing a Local Biodiversity Plan was used. However the standard methodology was modified to be more suitable for the inner urban location. Perth
Biodiversity Project staff provided technical assistance and training.
The Local
Biodiversity Study identifies opportunities to protect and enhance biodiversity within the
city through policy, management practices, on-ground works and other
means. Opportunities to link isolated patches and connect Kings Park to
the river foreshore and through the city to other regional habitat areas
are identified.
