Birds in Backyards

Perth: Biodiversity in our Backyard for Conservation Week

Biodiversity in our Backyard Citizen Science Project

Help us find out more about Western Australia’s unique biodiversity. During Conservation Week (March 28 - April 5) the Biodiversity in our Backyard Project will engage citizen ‘scientists’ in Perth to investigate the factors that influence the biodiversity of our backyards and local communities using common birds as an indicator.

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variety of life forms, the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they form.

Western Australia is home to some of the most unique biodiversity on Earth which can be attributed to the size of the state, its age and isolation and the range of geographical, soil and climatic conditions that are found throughout. Terrestrial ecosystems range from rainforest, savanna woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, heathlands, tall forests, woodlands and wetlands. Our marine environments include coral reefs, intertidal mangrove forests, seagrass beds, sandy beaches, coastal salt marshes, rocky shores, algal reefs and kelp forests.

An increasing population in Western Australia is leading to urban sprawl, particularly in the Perth metropolitan region and in regional centres in the South West. As a consequence our unique biodiversity is being lost at an alarming rate. The biodiversity of an area is highly dependant on the amount and distribution of vegetation and resultant habitats within an area. If we destroy the natural environment in an area we will also lose the biodiversity that is supported by it.

Why is my backyard important?

Development in urban areas can fragment patches of bushland which ultimately has an impact on the biodiversity of an area. However these patches of bushland are important as many birds and animals are able to move through urbanised areas to areas of remnant native vegetation.

Creating suitable habitat or biodiversity in backyards and open spaces can provide local wildlife with increased opportunities to survive within these altered landscapes.

During Conservation Week, the Biodiversity in our Backyard Project will use a simple survey to investigate some of the factors that may be used to enhance backyard biodiversity such as:

the amount of native vegetation (shrubs and trees) in the garden
the age of the suburb
the distance to retained bushland or vegetation corridors
the historical use of organochlorine pesticides or exposure to other contaminants
pets as predators

Who can take part?

Schools, community groups, youth groups, wildlife centres, conservation organisations and individuals can take part in the survey of biodiversity in backyards. Its easy!

To participate in the full Biodiversity in our Backyard survey, residents from Perth will need to register with the Conservation Council of WA ( www.conservationwa.asn.au) who will then send you further information on how to complete the survey on the Birds in Backyards website.

How will the results of the survey be used?

The results of this short survey will provide an understanding of the factors influencing bird distribution within our settled areas and will inform planning, design and landscape (including garden) management decisions towards better retention of biodiversity in urban areas.

Participants will be able to view the results of this short survey on the Conservation Council website www.conservationwa.asn.au later in 2009.

How to complete the survey

Register with the Conservation Council of WA ( www.conservationwa.asn.au). Then, go to the backyard bird survey page here and follow the directions to register as a Birds in Backyards member.