Publications

Position Statements

ESA strives to be proactive in addressing existing or future issues of ecological concern. Position Statements are intended for discussion and are important in developing a cohesive and representative stand on important issues, which can be referred to in policy submissions and public statements by ESA.

Interested in developing a Position Statement?

If you have an issue of general concern to ecologists, believe that the ESA has a contribution to make, and are willing to lead the development of an ESA Position Statement, please download the protocols for position statements and email our Executive Officer

Appropriate placement of large coast desalination plants: developing a position statement - Click here to read more about having input into the development of this position statement.

Existing Position Statements

DRAFT: Alpine Grazing

Since European settlement, grazing by livestock has caused an unacceptable level of damage to Australia’s sub-alpine to alpine zone, with implications for water quality, soil erosion, weeds, biodiversity and nature conservation.  The results of long-term studies since the 1940s have shown unequivocally that alpine grazing is an inappropriate land management practice, particularly in the Alps National Parks and Tasmania’s Central Plateau.  The Ecological Society of Australia urges all levels of government to ensure that the ban on livestock grazing in alpine parks is maintained ... Full version

Protected Areas and their Acquisition

The ESA considers that protected areas are the primary mechanism for biodiversity conservation in Australia and that the primary function of protected areas is to promote the persistence of biodiversity. The ESA commends governments, non-government organisations and private groups for their efforts in extending and managing the Australian protected area system over many decades. At the same time, the ESA recognises that the system is far from adequate for protecting the country's biodiversity. Improvement of the system is urgent because Australian biodiversity continues to decline irretrievably in the face of threatening processes, many of which can be prevented or mitigated within properly planned and managed protected areas. The ESA has identified nine broad issues that must be addressed by science, policy and funding to improve the effectiveness of the protected area system.... Full version

Vegetation Clearance

Vegetation clearance is a primary cause of past, current and predicted future losses of biodiversity for most groups of terrestrial animal and plant. Vegetation clearance is still continuing, often at alarming rates, and in most states there is no effective regulation of the extent and location of clearing activities.
The Ecological Society of Australia urges all levels of government to introduce controls on vegetation clearance in the states and territories that do not currently have adequate legislation, and to instigate programs for monitoring the effectiveness of these controls....Full version

The Use of Fire in Ecosystem Management

The Ecological Society of Australia (ESA) recognises the need for land managers to use and exclude fire for management purposes. Fire, however, is a complex phenomenon and if employed (or excluded) without adequate knowledge, can threaten the biological productivity, biodiversity and sustainability of ecosystems. For example, biodiversity loss has been associated with both high fire frequency and fire exclusion. Conversely, certain fire regimes are essential for the survival of some native species.
During the past few decades the use of fire as a management tool has become controversial with conflicts arising between different land management objectives, especially the maintenance of biodiversity and 'protection' of assets. It is essential therefore that fire management be planned in a much more strategic and integrated way to achieve management objectives and thereby minimise the conflict between conservation and other goals.....Full version

Climate Change

Climate change is likely to have significant impacts on Australia 's biota and society in the next century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently concluded that there is sufficient evidence to support these predictions. Alterations in soil characteristics, water and nutrient cycling, plant productivity, species interactions (competition, predation, parasitism, etc.) and the composition and function of ecosystems were identified as highly likely responses to the predicted increases in atmospheric CO2 concentration and temperature, and shifts in rainfall regimes. In addition, impacts on biodiversity are likely to be exacerbated by changes in the occurrence of disturbances such as wildfire and insect outbreaks.
The Ecological Society of Australia (ESA) believes that a focused program of climatic and ecological research, prediction and monitoring is required to address the needs of maintaining the diversity and integrity of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems under a changing climate.....Full version

Ecological Factors in Environmental Impact Assessment

The following position statement is confined to those aspects of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that are subject to study and interpretation by ecological consultants. There is much concern over the standard of science during the process of EIA in Australia and many government assessors lack adequate ecological experience. Consequently, the Ecological Society of Australia (ESA) advocates peer review of ecological studies for EIA to help ensure competent work and adequate scales of investigation. Adequate time and funding should be available for comprehensive ecological studies when these are justified for decision-making purposes. The conclusions drawn in ecological reports for EIA should always be substantiated by data or reference to the literature. The proponents of large developments, likely to have significant ecological impacts, should be required to support rigorous scientific monitoring programs.... Full version

Sustainable Commercial Use of Wildlife

The ESA recognises that there is a place for the sustainable and commercial use of wildlife, particularly in the light of the potential to encourage and provide a greater understanding of the ecology and interactions occurring in the environment.
The Society acknowledges that the commercial use of wildlife is an established practice and that it can encourage the conservation of species and their natural habitats. The Society also recognises that over-exploitation, which may be associated with poorly regulated commercial use, can threaten the population viability of native organisms.
This Position Statement has been based on an integrated ecological ethic over an anthropocentric, animal-liberation or monoculture ethic with regard to the environment.... Full version