Threatened Species and Farming

The Ecologically Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (ESAI) of the former Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE), investigated new ways of protecting the natural environment while maintaining the economic viability of farm enterprises. Many farmers are aware of the environmental impacts of agriculture but require additional resources and knowledge to tackle these. The 'Threatened Species and Farming' project contributed to the Initiative by examining some of the underlying conservation issues and illustrating practical management options via case studies of threatened species of flora and fauna that exist on farmland.

About two-thirds of Victoria is private land, largely cleared of native vegetation and primarily used for agriculture. Many threatened native plants and animals occur in these landscapes and are affected by agricultural practices. Agricultural land now provides the last refuge for some species, and its management is therefore crucial to their long-term survival. Some landholders are already managing threatened species as part of a broader aim of native habitat conservation on their farms.

Thretened Species in Agriculture

• Reports on modifications to existing agricultural management practices, and design of new practices, to protect selected threatened species.
• Reports on opinions of relevant agricultural extension program staff, and of farmers, about the barriers and opportunities for conservation of threatened species.
• Delivery of information on case studies of practices needed to protect selected threatened species to agricultural land managers and advisers.

Threatened Species and Farming - Final Report June 2006 (PDF 769KB)

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Related Links

Information about the Drivers of Land Use Change project on the DEPI website.

Information on the Advisory List of Rare or Threatened Plants in Victoria on the DEPI website.