VCE Environmental Science

Coastal wetlands at Port Fairy – OBP habitat (picture by Tracey Grey)

Population Viability Analysis is a process to identify the threats to a species and the likelihood that it will survive into the future. PVA aims to protect a threatened species in the short term and then to establish a population that will be maintained naturally, without intensive management in the longer term. The process includes:

1. Planning research and data collection

2. Assessing vulnerability.

3. Ranking management options.

More information about Population Viability Analysis from Wikipedia and other sources.

Environmental Risk Assessment deals with the probability of an event causing a potentially undesirable effect. Quantitative risk assessment thus deals with statistics, because probability is the mathematical measure of risk, and with hazard assessment which determines the nature of the undesirable effect.

The Precautionary Principle states that where irreversible damage may be caused due to an action, policy or  development, then the onus is upon the decision-makers to prove that there will be no undue impact on the environment. When there is a lack of scientific data upon which a decison can be made, then no action should be taken that may impact upon the environment.

Photos by Tacey Gray, Port Fairy Consolidated.

The Orange Bellied Parrot feeds on the beaded glasswort (above left) as well as a range of the seeds and fruits from grasses, sedges and herbs. It roosts in coastal shrubs, such as the woolly tea tree (above right), which provides protection from predators, including foxes and feral cats.

Threats to the OBP include:

• loss and alteration of winter habitat, in particular destruction of its saltmarsh feeding grounds, by industrial and urban development, agricultural practices and recreation
• its small population, making it extremely sensitive to sudden catastrophes such as disease and storms during migrations across Bass Strait
• predation by introduced predators, especially foxes and  feral cats
• competition from introduced seed-eating birds
• loss of genetic variation because of its small population size. 

Management to prevent extinction of this species is contained in the Orange Bellied Parrot Recovery Plan (2005 – 2009), which aims to:

• Monitor the population size, productivity, survival and life history of the Orange-bellied Parrot.
• Identify and document all sites used by Orange-bellied Parrots.
• Increase the carrying capacity of habitat through active management of sites throughout the species’ range.
• Identify and measure threats, particularly in migratory and winter habitats.
• Increase the number of breeding sub-populations.
• Maintain a viable captive population.
• Foster community support and involvement in the conservation and recovery of the species and its habitat.
• Secure adequate funding and support to successfully implement the Recovery Plan.
• Manage, review and report on the recovery process.

OBP Brochure from the Australian Government Department of Natural Heritage and Environment.

National Recovery Plan for the Orange Bellied Parrot.

Image by Dave Watts (OBP Recovery Team, Victoria)

The Orange Bellied Parrot has recently begun it’s treacherous migration across Bass Strait, from it’s spring and summer breeding grounds in the south west of Tasmania, to the Victorian and SA coast. There are only about 200 individuals of this species and less than 50 mature breeding pairs. Over the next few weeks volunteers will be visiting known feeding and roosting sites to count the numbers that have survived since their last visit.

Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act statement

EPBC – Australian Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts - OBP Recovery Plan.

Orange Bellied Parrot – BIRD

ARKive – OBP

BirdLife International – OBP

Zoos Victoria – Orange Bellied Parrot

Museum Victoria – Biodiversity

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species – OBP

Image Source

While I’m away for the first few days of this week you have plenty of work to do! Firstly, finish reading the last couple of chapters in the text book. Make sure you understand what all the acronyms that relate to Ecologically Sustainable Development mean: ERA, EIA, LCA, EES. Review the Environmental Improvement Plan at Portland Aluminium – write short notes under the headings Water, Waste, Energy and Biodiversity. Look at at some past exam papers and answer the multiple choice questions that relate to Area of Study 1: Pollutants.

If you finish that, you might like to try ‘virtual’ environmental management of a water catchment. Go to Catchment Detox, an on-line game where you play the role of a Catcment Management Authority – remove environmental hazards that reduce water quality and increase salinity and revegetate. Choose sound agricultural and tourist options that will improve catchment health, provide employment and boost the economy.

When you’ve had a couple of games and registered your score, write a review of the game on our VCE Environmental Science Ning – What did you have to do to be successful at the game? How many games did it take for you to work out how to play successfully? What was the most difficult parts?

Photo Source

 “On Borrowed Time” is an on-line resource for learning how to manage our environment. The CSIRO has developed two interactive eco-challenges for students. You can play the role of a farmer managing a sustainable farm while still making a profit or be a forest ranger balancing the needs of five vulnerable species while preserving the jobs of local people. These challenges are ideal for learning about the factors that need to be considered when making management decisions and give students an understanding of the process of environmental management.

As well as the interactive challenges (EcoFarm and EcoForest) there are four inquiry-based teaching and learning units (Adaptations, Forests, Fire and Farming) each with English, Maths and Science activities. David Lindenmayer has based this learning resource on his book titled “On Borrowed Time”.

Story of Stuff

This 20-minute animation video is a great introduction to Environmental Management Systems (EMS), Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). Annie Leonard explains the unsustainable five-step production system (Extraction, Production, Distribution, Consumption and Disposal) that drives global economies.