The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2020 is the most comprehensive review of the status of Australia’s avifauna ever attempted.
This latest edition – the largest in a series of plans released every ten years since 1992 – offers far greater detail than its predecessors and was compiled by over 300 of the country’s foremost bird experts.
The volume includes accounts of more than 60 birds that are no longer considered threatened, due to sustained conservation efforts.
The book explores several key themes that have emerged over the past decade, including the growing impact of climate change as a threat to the environment. This is particularly evident in Queensland’s tropical rainforests, where many birds are being forced ever further up the mountains. The indirect effects of climate change were also evident in the catastrophic fires of 2019–20, which saw the loss of many populations of birds, particularly subspecies confined to Kangaroo Island.
However, there are also positive developments, including the success of predator control programs on several islands. These uplifting results demonstrate that, by following action plans with on-the-ground measures, it is possible to conserve threatened species and alleviate threats.
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Australian Birdlife is a quarterly magazine that's full of fascinating articles on birds and birdwatching, all illustrated with breathtaking photographs.
