Bush pockets crucial for biodiversity at ANU

A new survey led by ANUgreen has found that preserving pockets of bush in the heart of Canberra will be essential for the survival of the many animals and plants in and around campus.


	Beth Mitchell has overseen the hundreds of people contributing to the survey.

The findings of the first comprehensive survey of biodiversity in Canberra’s centre – the Lower Sullivans Creek Catchment Ecological Survey – were launched at the CSIRO Discovery Centre on 25 October as part of the Life in the Suburbs project.

Senator Gary Humphries opened the proceedings, at which New Urban Habitat Guidelines for the ACT and an exhibition showcasing urban environmental preservation were also launched.

The four-year survey project was coordinated by ANUgreen and involved 400 community volunteers, students, Scouts, and Work for the Dole and Greencorps participants. This small army helped to record the diversity and abundance of birds, mammals, frogs, reptiles, insects and plants in the 534 hectare site around central Canberra, bordered by Civic West, Black Mountain, Lake Burley Griffin and the inner north.

"Canberra is known as the bush capital, but until now our understanding of the biodiversity that makes up this green image has been patchy,” ANUgreen Biodiversity Projects Manager and survey coordinator Beth Mitchell said. “We wanted to conduct a baseline survey to get a good understanding of the animals and plants in central Canberra, so we could better understand the types of habitat they use in urban areas.”


	A volunteer helps record Canberra's biodiversity.

The survey found that the large patches of native woodland like that around Black Mountain were essential ‘source’ habitats that sustain the greatest diversity of species including echidnas, wallabies, and a host of native birds, but that urban ‘greenspace’ including residential gardens and tree-lined avenues can supplement these habitats and provide important corridors for species to move about.

These findings have informed new Urban Habitat Guidelines for the ACT developed by ANUgreen in consultation with a range of government and community partners. The guidelines are designed to guide urban landscape development and preserve human health, animal habitat and the natural environment.

Project partners included ANU, CSIRO, the National Museum of Australia, Australian National Botanical Gardens, ACT Government, Sullivans Creek Catchment Group, the National Capital Authority and CSIRO Discovery Centre. The project was supported by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust.

An exhibition showcasing the work of groups who preserve the urban environment will be at the CSIRO Discovery Centre for a fortnight after the launch.

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Briefs

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