The potential impact on society and outdoor environments of land degradation
Go to http://vro.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/lwm_land_deg_soil-degradation
degradation the impacts to the environment
the impacts to society
reduces plant production
Farm income drops
Salinity
compaction
acidification
soil structure degrades and erosion occurs.
Salt tolerant plants take over, vegetation is
changed
Less appreciation of the aesthetic (beauty)
of a degraded (barren)environment
Less space for roots to grow or soil
organisms to function
Loss of soil biodiversity, loss of fertile soil
to grow food for an increasing population
decreases aeration, water holding capacity,
drainage, seedlings growing
reduces plant vigour, lower growth rates of
plants, leading to weed infestations, salinity
and erosion
Reduced yields of crops, thus lowerincome
Reduced crop options, reduced food option
Salinity, compaction, acidification, (know the impacts to society and to the environment)
Support the soil food web http://landscapeforlife.org/soil/support-the-soil-food-web/
The potential impact on society and outdoor environments of introduced species (of climbing and creeping
weeds and vines)
An "invasive species" is a plant, animal, or pathogen that aggressively colonizes habitats
The Australian Weeds Strategy defines a weed as a plant that requires some form of action to reduce its harmful effects
on the economy, the environment, human health and amenity
Invasive
species
the impacts to the environment
the impacts to society
creepers
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Aggressively grow over native plants and
blocks their photosynthesis
Less aesthetic value
Poisonous potential risk to health
English Ivy is highly invasive and a very serious threat to indigenous vegetation.
A mature ivy vine will eventually kill its support tree by
o smothering thus preventing photosynthesis
o preventing bark shedding
o causing collapse
Few people are aware that ivy flowers and sets seeds which may be spread by birds.
Leaves and seeds of Ivy are poisonous. Flower pollencan irritate eyes.
http://vro.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/lwm_pest_plants
Pest Animals are a major cause of degradation to Victoria's
catchments and rivers and impact heavily on a wide range of agricultural and biodiversity assets. Pests represent a major
threat to both the productive capacity of our land and water and the integrity of our natural ecosystems
The potential impact on society and outdoor environments of pest species (carp, foxes, rabbits)
http://vro.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/pest_animals
Carp | Foxes | Rabbits
Pests are a major cause of degradation to Victoria's catchments and rivers and impact heavily on a wide range of
agricultural and biodiversity assets. Pests represent a major threat to both the productive capacity of our land and water
and the integrity of our natural ecosystems
Carp
Feral carp probably comprise the largest fish biomass and are the most numerous large fish species across Australia’s
largest river catchment, the Murray-Darling Basin. The invasive species is now found in many of the foremost freshwaters
of southern Australia, including many coastal catchments and two Tasmanian lakes. Feral carp are widely implicated in
degradation of freshwater aquatic resources worldwide
http://www.feral.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/CPFS5.pdf
They feed by sucking soft sediment into their mouths, where food items are separated and retained and the
sediments are ejected back into the water. This habit (known as roiling) leads to a suspension of sediment in the water.
direct deterioration of water quality due to sediment and increased nutrient levels
• reduced light penetration, resulting in reduced plant growth
• smothering of plants, invertebrates and fish eggs
• clogging of gills of other fish species
• inhibited visual feeding by other fish species.
Foxes
The European fox was introduced to Australia for hunting in the mid 1800s and has proved to be an adaptable and
elusive predator and scavenger. Despite various management efforts, the fox is now common throughout Victoria and
most of southern mainland Australia. Foxes are a major threat to the survival of native fauna. While the impact of foxes on
livestock is not yet fully understood, foxes are known to kill livestock, particularly the young. Some studies indicate foxes
may account for up to 30% of the deaths of newborn lambs.
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/pubs/european-red-fox.pdf
They have played a major role in the decline of a number of species of native animals and they also prey on newborn lambs
The fox has played a major role in the decline of ground-nesting birds, small to medium sized mammals such as the greater bilby,
and reptiles such as the green turtle.
The fox causes significant economic losses to farmers by preying on newborn lambs, kid goats and poultry. (society)
The fox could also act as a carrier of diseases killing farm animals and native animals,
Rabbits
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/pest-animals/lc0298-rabbits-and-their-impact
Rabbits are the most serious vertebrate pest in Victoria, causing major environmental and economic damage
A rabbit grazes more closely than domestic stock. Grazing rabbits weaken perennial grasses during summer, even
eliminating them from pastures. The pasture is then likely to be invaded by broadleaf weeds and annual grasses
Rabbits also affect revegetation and soil erosion reclamation projects by feeding on newly planted vegetation or
burrowing. Rabbit effects are felt at farm level, in tree planting projects designed for stock protection and soil erosion or
salinity control, or in forestry plantations.
They eat tree seedlings so that when the adult trees die there are no young ones to replace them
Rabbits selectively feed on certain species of plants at critical stages of development such as seeding and seedling
establishment. This may result in the local extinction of particular native plant species
Reduction in native vegetation can seriously disadvantage native fauna. In certain areas, rabbits are in direct
competition with native wildlife for food and habitat requirements