Terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife conservation

Southern population and economic growth are putting pressure on wildlife species and the communities that support them. Loss of habitat is the primary reason why 132 southern terrestrial vertebrate species are of conservation concern, but other factors include environmental contaminants, exploitation, development, stream modification, and wetland degradation. A high proportion of rare forest communities are imperiled to some degree; 14 have estimated losses of 98 percent since European settlement. In the midst of continued regional growth, biological diversity will become a critical conservation issue. Each southern landowner has an important role in the conservation of species and their habitats.