Updates to input data has created 6.25 times more detail when viewing Australian ecosystems and the below article uses this new data to explore our Terrestrial, Freshwater, Coastal and Marine realms.
1. Our ecosystems are recovering from the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires
Australia had three years of La Niña in a row from 2020 to 2023, sprouting new growth for carbon-retaining environments like grasslands and forests.
In 2021−22, the environment stored 34.6 million kilotonnes ($59.5 billion) of carbon in grasslands, native forests, savannas, and mangroves.
2. Mangroves are helping to protect our coasts
The proportion of our mangroves classified as closed forests rose to 48.5 per cent in 2021–22. These thicker natural growths will play an important part in easing the damage from once-in-a-century coastal inundation events.
The environment provided storm and tidal surge protection to approximately 104,000 dwellings and 207,000 residents in 2021−22.
3. Three ecosystem groups are entirely unique to Australia
Australia is home to three distinct ecosystems including eucalypt-dominated and fire prone/dependent forests and woodlands (Temperate pyric humid forests) and arid ecosystems (Hummock savannas and Sclerophyll hot deserts and semi-deserts).
4. There’s more endangered animal species
The number of threatened species increased for all taxonomic groups of animals between 2010 and 2023, and 11 mammal species and 1 reptile species have been declared extinct.
The biggest category movement was in the number of species entering the “critically endangered” threat category, which now represents 413 species.
5. The weeds are spreading like weeds!
Between 2010 and 2023, the number of weed species from the Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) list increased in every state and territory except for South Australia.
6. Fish are a reel big hit!
The amount of wild fish caught from Australian oceans rose 4.6 per cent between 2010–11 to 2021–22, while the value contributed by marine ecosystems grew 23.6 per cent, providing 161.7 thousand tonnes or $463.0 million of wild fish over 2021−22. This was mostly driven by the rise in value of fishing licenses and market value for crustaceans like rock lobsters, crabs and prawns.
7. Our oceans are getting warmer
Ocean surface temperatures showed a sustained warming trend between 2012–13 to 2022–23. The warmest years during this period were 2015–16 and 2021–22, with temperatures rising 0.46°C above the long-term average. This can lead to heavily localised regional impacts like marine heatwaves and coral bleaching events.
More specialised data on the Great Barrier Reef will be available in the upcoming Great Barrier Reef Ecosystem Account, scheduled for release on 26 May 2026.
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