FEATURE
Giant Dragonfly (Courtesy Xuela Sledge, National Parks and Wildlife Service)
Downloads
- Threatened Species: Township Information ( 29.6kb)
- Threatened Species: BMCC Initiatives ( 9.1kb)
- Endangered Species: Blue Mountains Water Skink ( 183.6kb)
- Endangered Species: Epacris hamiltonii ( 179.6kb)
- Endangered Species: Giant Dragonfly ( 174.5kb)
- Endangered Species: Leionema lachnaeoides ( 189.4kb)
- Endangered Species: Microstrobos fitzgeraldii ( 220.3kb)
- Environmental Fact Sheet: Blue Mountains Swamps ( 119.3kb)
- Recovery Plan: Blue Mountains Water Skink ( 758.3kb)
- Recovery Plan: Epacris hamiltonii ( 565.5kb)
- Recovery Plan: Leionema lachnaeoides ( 589.2kb)
- Threatened Species: Identification of Epacris hamiltonii ( 144.2kb)
- Threatened Species: Identification of Epacris hamiltonii ( 144.2kb)
Threatened Species in the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains Local Government Area contains approximately 10 percent of the listed threatened species in New South Wales. The high percentage is a function of the high biodiversity of the area, the large number of endemic species and the ongoing impacts of urban development such as land clearing, urban runoff, sedimentation, habitat disturbance, and weed invasion. Blue Mountains City Council is committed to reversing this situation through sensitive urban planning, a strong environmental program, and targeted Environment Levy funded projects and by fostering community involvement in biodiversity conservation through the Bushcare, Landcare, Swampcare and Bush backyards programs.
Blue Mountains City Council employs a Biodiversity Conservation Officer who co-ordinates an integrated threatened species recovery team which focuses on threatened species which are endemic (ie only occurring in the Blue Mountains) or species that have a stronghold in the Blue Mountains including the Blue Mountains Water Skink, the Giant Dragonfly, the Dwarf Mountain Pine, Epacris hamiltonii, Leionema lachnaeoides and Eucalyptus copulans. The Biodiversity Conservation Officer is also responsible for raising awareness of threatened species and endangered ecological communities (EECs) such as Blue Mountains Swamp and Shale Based EECs in the Blue Mountains and fostering community involvement in their recovery.
How many threatened species occur in the Blue Mountains (as at June 2009)?
Vulnerable:
- 12 birds
- 14 mammals
- 3 amphibians
- 28 Plants
- 1 Reptile
Endangered:
- 20 Plants
- 2 birds
- 1 amphibian
- 1 insect
- 2 mammals
- 2 reptiles
- 8 ecological communities
Vulnerable: A native species is considered 'vulnerable' if a species is likely to become endangered unless the threats to its survival cease to operate.
Endangered: A species is considered 'endangered' if it is in danger of extinction unless the threats to its survival cease to operate.
Presumed extinct: A species that has not been seen for more than 50 years despite thorough searching, is presumed extinct. Native species, populations and communities, which are presumed extinct, endangered or vulnerable in NSW, are all considered 'threatened'.
How can you help?
Join your local bushcare, swampcare or landcare group website: www.weedsbluemountains.org.au or phone Lyndal Sullivan on (02) 4780 5528. Alternatively, click here for more information.
Plant a bush friendly garden without invasive species and control weeds on your property.
Contact the BMCC Biodiversity Conservation Officer, Michael Hensen on (02) 4780 5471 to see if there are projects for volunteers.