More than 300 animal and plant species listed as threatened nationally were in the path of the Black Summer bushfires, with many at risk of extinction now.
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Hundreds of species are now at risk of extinction following the summer's bushfires. Source: AAP
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More than 300 nationally-listed threatened species were in the path of the fires, the bushfires royal commission has been told.
"The impact of the 2019-20 bushfires on threatened species and other flora and fauna has been severe," Commonwealth threatened species commissioner Dr Sally Box told the inquiry on Wednesday.
An expert advisory panel has labelled the bushfires an ecological disaster.
"The fires covered an unusually large area and in many places they burnt with an unusually high intensity," Dr Box said.
"The entire known range of some species was burnt."
More than 1,800 animals and plant species and ecological communities are listed as threatened nationally.
Of the total, 327 threatened species were in the path of the fire, 49 had more than 80 per cent of their habitat burnt and a further 65 had more than half of their known or likely range in the fire area.
It includes plants, mammals, birds, frogs, reptiles, fish and invertebrates.
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Many parts of Australia are still recovering from one of the worst bushfire seasons on record. AAP
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"But there are also many other fire-affected species that were considered secure before the fires, who have now lost much of their habitat and might be imperilled."
Dr Box said the expert panel, which considered both threatened and non-threatened species across a range of taxa, had so far identified more than 750 taxa that are in need of urgent management intervention.
She said a large number of species will be considered for listing as threatened under the act, possibly numbering in the hundreds.
"There certainly are hundreds that have been impacted by the fires and need help."
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| The impact of the 2019-20 bushfires on threatened species and other flora and fauna has been severe. Image by Wolter Peeters/AAP PHOTOS |
A former NSW fire boss believes serving fire chiefs are being "gagged" from voicing their views on climate change for political reasons.
Greg Mullins, representing Emergency Leaders for Climate Action, told the inquiry on Wednesday that he hopes the climate wars end.
He says the ELCA group chased meetings with Prime Minister Scott Morrison last year before the deadly bushfire season to brief him on climate change risks.
Mr Mullins says he and the other members held their tongues while in their roles.
"I know from my own experience and other members of ELCA, in a sense we self-censored because we knew what would be acceptable and what would not, to certain political masters," he said on Wednesday.
"And if you went outside those bounds, life could be made very unpleasant for you."
Liberal senator James Paterson then asked: "So do you think the fire chiefs are gagged in some way?"
"Yes," Mr Mullins replied.
The former fire boss believes it's dangerous for policy not to acknowledge the risks of climate change.
"I think the fires may have woken some people up - it should have."
Links
- Summer bushfires an ecological disaster
- Australia Heading Into New 'Fire Age', Warns Global Fire Historian
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- Rights group says children were 'systematically overlooked' during Australian bushfires
- Bushfire haze killed 455 people and reached 80 per cent of Australia, royal commission hears
- (AU) Bushfires Left Estimated 445 Dead From Smoke And A Nation Traumatised
- Mallacoota's school was saved from fire, now it's become the focus of the town's renewal
- 'A phonecall would have been nice': RFS volunteers feel forgotten after summer fires
- 'It would have helped confusion': Regional students call for school bushfire training
- (AU) Fire Season Extends By Almost Four Months In Parts Of Australia
- 'Incredibly blessed': Royal commission to eye fire success and failure
- 'Unbelievable what's happening': Fire inquiry reviews 1000 submissions
- Bushfire royal commission: 'Black Summer' played out exactly as scientists predicted it would
- Bureau of Meteorology predicted the devastating "Black Summer" weather
- Ex-ESA Chief wants Bushfire Royal Commission to address climate change
- Australia's 'Black Summer' bushfires 'not a one-off event', royal commission hears
- Royal commission into bushfire crisis begins hearings with focus on impact of climate change
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