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Australia’s Biodiversity Crisis Explained Simply

Australia is home to some of the most unique plants and animals on Earth — in fact, more than 80% of our mammals, reptiles, and flowering plants are found nowhere else in the world. We call these species “endemic”, unique to Australia. From kangaroos and koalas to towering eucalypts and delicate wildflowers, our biodiversity is truly one-of-a-kind.

But this uniqueness is also fragile. Right now, it’s under serious pressure — and scientists are calling it a crisis.

So what’s happening, and why does it matter? Let’s break it down.

What does “biodiversity crisis” mean?

“Biodiversity” is just a way of describing the variety of life: all the plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms that make up healthy ecosystems. When biodiversity declines, it means fewer species, fewer individuals, and weaker ecosystems.

Australia is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, yet we also have one of the highest extinction rates. More than 1,900 species are listed as threatened or endangered, and that number continues to rise.

Why is biodiversity declining?

There isn’t one single cause — it’s a mix of human impacts and environmental changes. Some of the biggest pressures include:

Habitat loss

Clearing land for farming, cities, and infrastructure leaves animals and plants without a home.

Australia is uniquely facing a major nature crisis. We are the only developed country listed among global deforestation hotspots. Since European settlement, more than 40% of our forested areas have been cleared or degraded. As of 2012, only 50% of Australia’s forests remained intact compared to pre-colonial levels.

This large-scale clearing puts 19 Australian ecosystems on the brink of collapse — and with one of the world’s highest species extinction rates, the overall state of our environment continues to decline.

Invasive species

Invasive species are one of the leading threats to Australia’s biodiversity, often exceeding the harm caused by habitat loss or climate change. According to CSIRO’s “Fighting Plagues and Predators” report, invasive species — like feral cats, rabbits, weeds, and fire ants — have cost Australia an estimated $390 billion over six decades, equating to roughly $25 billion every year.

European settlement began a wave of invasions, with feral predators leading to the confirmed extinction of 79 native species, and most modern extinctions driven by invasives

Climate change

Rising temperatures, more extreme weather, and shifting rainfall patterns put stress on ecosystems.

Australia’s climate has warmed by approximately 1.5 °C since 1910, and every decade since 1950 has consistently been hotter than the last. We’re also seeing increasing extreme heat events, longer fire seasons, more intense rainfall, and rising sea levels. The years April 2024 to March 2025 marked Australia’s hottest 12-month stretch on record, at 1.61 °C above average.

This rapid change threatens ecosystems like Victoria’s mountain ash forests — where warming may lead to a 25% decline in tree numbers by 2080, weakening a vital carbon sink and water source.

Pollution and land degradation

From plastics in the ocean to soil erosion, pollution makes survival harder.

Australia’s agricultural and environmental lands are under serious pressure from degradation. Approximately two-thirds of agricultural land is degraded, due to factors including soil erosion, salinity, and soil acidity — up from just 15% twenty-five years ago. Around 40% of healthy soil has already been degraded by practices like intensive farming, overuse of chemicals, and land clearing.

Salinity is also a growing threat: 5.7 million hectares are currently classified as high-risk, with projections reaching 17 million hectares by 2050. High salinity harms native vegetation, wetlands, and infrastructure — especially across Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania.

Why does this matter for people?

It’s easy to think of biodiversity as something “out there” in nature, but it’s also essential for human life. Healthy ecosystems provide:

• Clean air and water
• Pollination for our crops
• Protection from floods and erosion
• Cultural and spiritual connection to Country

When biodiversity suffers, so do we.

Is there hope?

Yes. Across Australia, communities, Traditional Owners, scientists, and volunteers are working to restore and protect biodiversity. From tree planting projects to wildlife sanctuaries, every effort helps create safe habitats and strengthen ecosystems.

At Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), people of all ages and backgrounds can get directly involved in hands-on projects that make a real difference. Our activities include:

• Tree planting and habitat restoration: bringing back native vegetation that provides food and shelter for threatened species.
• Wildlife monitoring: helping track and record native animals, from frogs and birds to endangered marsupials, so scientists can better understand and protect them.
• Beach and waterway clean-ups: removing plastics and pollution to protect marine life and restore healthy coasts and rivers.
• Weed and pest management: giving native plants and animals a chance to thrive by reducing the pressure from invasive species.

Citizen science projects: using photography, surveys, and simple observations to contribute valuable data to conservation research.

And it’s not just about the work itself. Volunteering helps people reconnect with nature, learn new skills, meet like-minded others, and be part of a community taking action for the planet.

Even small steps matter. Whether it’s joining a volunteer project, supporting biodiversity-friendly policies, or making space for native plants and animals in our gardens, every contribution adds up to a stronger, healthier future for Australia’s biodiversity.

👉🏼 Want to join us? Check out all of our volunteering events happening across Australia right here.

In simple terms

Australia’s biodiversity crisis means we’re losing species faster than ever before. The causes are largely human-driven, but the solutions can be too.

Protecting biodiversity isn’t only about saving animals and plants; it’s about safeguarding the future of our communities, our climate, and our way of life.

Together, we can turn the tide.

👉🏼 Make a difference and volunteer with CVA.