How 'Back on Track' is being applied
Chingia australis © G.Sankowsky
A major focus of the Back on Track work is to identify Queensland's priority taxa and ensure the effective use of resources for the conservation and recovery of species. Lists of priority species are then used to identify common threats, and management actions that address multiple species. Apart from encouraging a multi-species/ecosystem approach to conservation, this approach aims to place resources where they will have the greatest benefit.
Other areas where 'Back on Track' results are being applied.
- Review of 'Rare' species: Following amendments to the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCA), the category 'Rare' will no longer be used after June 2010. There are 843 listed 'rare' species that will default to the 'least concern' category unless reassessed as threatened. Rather than reassess all 843 species, 'Back on Track' is being used to identify priority species for reassessment.
- Scientific permit assessments: All species require a permit for scientific studies to regulate the impacts on populations, but only the permit-applications for NCA-listed species are further scrutinised and the permits limited to protect sensitive populations. However, there are some species that are threatened even though they are not listed under the NCA. 'Back on Track' can identify these species, as the score of a species' probability of extinction can be upgraded during a species assessment workshop. 'Back on Track' has already been used to limit the collection of specimens on non-listed threatened species as part of assessing sustainability.
- Recovery planning: Recovery plans are a requirement for species listed as threatened under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC). These plans identify the key threats for a species (or group of species), and methods used to mitigate these threats. 'Back on Track' is being used to identify priority non-listed threatened species, so that they can be included in recovery plans for EPBC listed species that face the same threats.
- Exposure of less well-known species: A large amount of previous conservation efforts have focussed on iconic and charismatic species. By identifying priority species from all taxa, which are discussed with decision-makers and in regional workshops, 'Back on Track' raises the profile of other threatened species that are less well-known, but are also deserving of conservation resources (e.g. threatened sharks, tarantulas, grasses, ferns).
- Changing work and research priorities: The results from 'Back on Track’ are being used to focus work priorities on those species whose threats are known and can be mitigated. Species identified as "Poorly Known" (i.e. data deficient) during species assessment workshops also have their areas of data deficiency.
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Last updated: 04 January 2007
