Australia`s Biodiversity Crisis

Short-tailed Hopping-mouse Extinct.

Australia is one of only 17 countries recognised as "mega-diverse", meaning we support a significant proportion of the world’s biodiversity.

Over 80% of our mammals, reptiles and flowering plants are endemic (found only in Australia).

However, the destruction and fragmentation of habitat, particularly as a result of clearance of vegetation for agriculture, and the impact of feral animals and invasive weeds has had a substantial impact on our biodiversity.

Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world. Altogether, 22 mammal species have become extinct since the arrival of European settlers a little more than 200 years ago. Twenty percent of our remaining mammal species are threatened with extinction.

Australia has more threatened reptile species than any other country in the world. Nearly 15% of our bird species are also threatened with extinction.

More than 500 vascular plants are listed as endangered or vulnerable.