Australia has more than 8300 islands, ranging in size from Tasmania to small rock stacks. These islands play a vital and unique role in the conservation of Australia’s native plants and animals.
Many island species are found nowhere else. In some cases, islands are the last refuge for species extinct on the Australian mainland. For marine turtles and seabirds, islands are essential to their existence. The conservation of Australia’s islands is therefore an essential part of protecting our natural heritage.
However, many islands are plagued by invasive pests and weeds that put our precious native biodiversity at risk. Of the 20 Australian birds most likely to become extinct in the next 20 years, six are confined to islands. Islands are critical habitat for around one-third of Australia’s threatened animal species. Alarmingly, many of our threatened island species are not subject to rigorous recovery plans.