Working to conserve and restore water quality and wildlife habitat in Perth inner city catchments
Local Biodiversity Study for the City of Perth
In 2006/2007 the Claise Brook Catchment Group, with the assistance of relevant City of Perth staff, prepared a Local Biodiversity Study for the City of Perth.
There many different aspects of this project including stories about animals people have seen with Perth city and the use of native flora and fauna in the art and architecture of the city. Our members undertook field surveys of all parks and reserves in the city which assisted in the preparation of the study. Click the links below to download the study.
Download Perth Biodiversity Study (1 Meg)
Download the Perth Biodiversity Study Appendices (1.5 Meg)
"Why the variety?
Several factors contribute to Perth’s great biodiversity. Australia is geologically old, which has given animals and plants a long time to evolve, undisturbed by major geological upheaval. The Perth Metropolitan Region contains two distinct landscape types - the Darling Plateau to the east and the Swan Coastal Plain to the west. The Darling Plateau is an ancient plateau of Archaean origin - half as old as the Earth itself. The Swan Coastal Plain is made up of more recent sedimentary deposits of the Perth Basin. The soils are old and weathered, characterised by nutrient-deficient sandy soils. Put simply, it is like nowhere else on Earth.
Animals and plants have responded to the environment in remarkable ways. These include intricate relationships between plants and fungi, seeds that drop beside the mother plant, beds of seagrass and reptiles that swim through sand. There is an urgent need to conserve this rich biological heritage. It will come at some cost. But it will be worth it if we value Perth’s special and unique character and want it to last."
Perth Biodiversity Project
Local Biodiversity Study
In preparing the Local Biodiversity Study, the methodology developed by the Perth Biodiversity Project for assessing biodiversity and preparing a Local Biodiversity Plan was used. However the standard methodology was modified to be more suitable for the inner urban location. Perth Biodiversity Project staff provided technical assistance and training.
The Local Biodiversity Study identifies opportunities to protect and enhance biodiversity within the city through policy, management practices, on-ground works and other means. Opportunities to link isolated patches and connect Kings Park to the river foreshore and through the city to other regional habitat areas are identified.
Biodiversity at home
As well as developing a plan for the City of Perth we have also developed a series of tips about how you can encourage biodiversity at home. Click here to see what we suggest.
Biodiversity hotspot
The Swan Coastal Plain has a large number of plant and animal species, many of which occur nowhere else in the world making Perth one of the most biodiverse cities in the world. Since 2001 the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) through the Perth Biodiversity Project has provided funding and technical assistance to metropolitan councils wishing to conserve the biodiversity within their area.
At first glance there may appear to be limited opportunities to protect biodiversity within the city centre, however the river foreshore, Kings Park and the possibility of greenbelts along major roads and the railway do give some hope of enhancing biodiversity within the city. In addition, there is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of biodiversity issues to people who visit or work within the city.
Wildlife - where you least expect it.