Victoria's Flora & Fauna Act and Ramsar Wetlands Convention Overview

What is the full name of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Amendment Act?

Flora and Fauna Guarantee Amendment Act 2019 (Vic)

What is the primary purpose of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Amendment Act?

To protect native flora and fauna, maintain biodiversity, and manage threats to native species and ecosystems.

What are the main aims of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Amendment Act?

To conserve native flora and fauna, manage threatening processes, ensure sustainable use, maintain genetic diversity, and encourage community conservation.

What are the three lists used by the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Amendment Act?

Threatened List, Excluded List, Processes List.

What does the Threatened List contain?

Native plants and animals that are threatened, classified as Extinct, Extinct in the wild, Critically endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Conservation dependent.

What is an example of a species on the Threatened List?

Mountain Pygmy Possum.

What does the Excluded List contain?

Native organisms that are not protected because they pose a serious threat to human survival.

What is an example of an organism on the Excluded List?

Human disease organisms.

What does the Processes List identify?

Potentially threatening processes that negatively affect native flora and fauna.

What is one example of a process listed in the Processes List?

Toxic substances entering Victorian rivers and streams.

What is the first step in the 6-step process for getting onto the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act?

Nomination of a species, ecological community, or threatening process.

What does the Scientific Committee do in the nomination process?

It considers the nomination against specific criteria.

What happens after the Scientific Committee considers a nomination?

The recommendation is released for 30 days of public comment.

What is included in an Action Statement?

Items, locations, threats, actions, organisations/individuals responsible, and results.

What is the status of the Australasian Bittern?

Critically Endangered.

What are the major threats to the Australasian Bittern?

Predation, climate change, human disturbance, habitat loss, and water management practices.

What is one management strategy for the Australasian Bittern?

Wetland restoration to improve habitat availability and quality.

What is a potential negative impact of wetland restoration?

It may temporarily disturb vegetation and wildlife.

What are the advantages of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act?

Biodiversity conservation, legal protection, habitat restoration, and community involvement.

What are some disadvantages of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act?

Limited resources, habitat fragmentation, conflicting interests, and enforcement difficulties.

How does the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act improve the protection of threatened species?

By providing a legal framework for identifying and managing threatened species and processes.

What limits the overall effectiveness of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act?

Inadequate funding, habitat fragmentation, competing land uses, and enforcement difficulties.

What is the full name of the Ramsar Convention?

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

When was the Ramsar Convention established?

1971

What type of agreement is the Ramsar Convention?

International treaty

What is the primary purpose of the Ramsar Convention?

To provide a framework for national action and international cooperation for wetland conservation.

What are the three main commitments of the Ramsar Convention?

Wise use of wetlands, Ramsar List designation, and international cooperation.

What does 'wise use of wetlands' entail?

Promoting land-use planning, policies, legislation, management actions, and public education.

What is the Ramsar List?

A designation for wetlands of International Importance that should be effectively managed.

What is the significance of international cooperation under the Ramsar Convention?

Countries cooperate on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems, and migratory species.

Why are wetlands important?

They provide habitat for waterbirds, migratory species, native plants, and other wildlife.

What criteria does the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands meet for Ramsar designation?

Criteria 1, 2, 3, and 6.

What does Criterion 1 of Ramsar criteria refer to?

Important or unique wetland type.

What does Criterion 2 of Ramsar criteria refer to?

Support for threatened species.

What does Criterion 3 of Ramsar criteria refer to?

Support for regional biodiversity.

What does Criterion 6 of Ramsar criteria refer to?

Regular support for 1% of individuals in a population of a waterbird species.

What is one memory aid for remembering Ramsar criteria?

WETLAND → THREATENED → BIODIVERSITY → BIRDS.

What is one management strategy under the Ramsar Convention?

Maintain or restore water regimes.

What is the purpose of managing threats to wetlands?

To identify and manage processes that negatively affect the wetland.

What is the goal of sustainable resource use in Ramsar management strategies?

To ensure resources are used sustainably rather than overexploited.

What is the role of community involvement in Ramsar management?

To encourage awareness, understanding, and participation in wetland management.

What are some advantages of the Ramsar Convention?

Biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, international cooperation, and protection of migratory species.

What are some disadvantages of the Ramsar Convention?

Enforcement challenges, limited funding, conflicting interests, and limited coverage of important wetlands.

How does the Ramsar Convention compare to the FFG Amendment Act 2019?

Ramsar is an international treaty focused on wetlands, while FFG is Victorian legislation focused on native flora and fauna.

What is the main goal of the Ramsar Convention?

To conserve and wisely use wetlands.

What is a key mechanism of the Ramsar Convention?

The Ramsar List and management strategies.