Global Warming Threatens Australia's Unique Habitats

Many of Australia's unique animals and "mega-diverse" ecosystems could disappear before the end of this century because of global warming, a study warned yesterday.

Ninety Australian animals, including rare species of wombat, possum and wallaby, could be wiped out if forecasts of average temperature rise made by government-funded scientists are accurate, a report by Climate Action Network Australia predicted.

Australia is the only developed nation among 12 countries in the world considered to be "mega-diverse" - unusually rich in ecosystems and animal and plant species. The UN educational, scientific and cultural body, Unesco, has created more natural world heritage sites in Australia than in any other country.

But with average temperatures on what is the driest inhabited continent in the world forecast to rise by 0.4-2C by 2030 and 1-6C by 2070, most of Australia's 14 world heritage sites could suffer irreparable damage, said CANA's report.

According to the report, a compilation of findings from the last 10 years, the warming of tropical oceans could lead to annual "bleaching" of coral on the world heritage Great Barrier Reef. "With that kind of regularity the reef simply can't survive," said the report's coordinator Anna Reynolds.

Rising seas could also cause saltwater to contaminate the freshwater wetlands of the Kakadu world heritage area in the Northern Territory.

Across the country, dozens of species of eucalyptus could be exposed to temperatures and rainfalls under which none of their present populations currently survive.

Supported by more than 25 Australian conservation groups, the report also warned of an increasing ferocity and frequency of bush fires, which could start permanently damaging normally robust eucalyptus ecosystems. Last month, Australia's bush fires blazed particularly fiercely, especially in New South Wales.

Animal and plant species particularly at risk are those that survive in small, already damaged, ecosystems. Rare species such as the northern hairy-nosed wombat, the Lumholtz tree kangaroo, the greater bilby and the swift parrot are threatened.

Animals currently found in large arid areas, such as the antilopine wallaroo - a marsupial similar to a kangaroo - could also be at risk.

The country's geographical isolation over thousands of years has made it a haven for unique species. Around half of Australia's 800 bird species are found nowhere else.

But it also has the world's highest rate of mammalian extinction. In the 214 years since European occupation, Australia has lost about 53 animal species and 87 plant species.

The report called for the ratification of the Kyoto treaty and an end to large-scale land clearing. Such clearing made Australia the sixth highest clearer of land in the world last year.

The Australian government has steadfastly supported George Bush in his refusal to ratify the Kyoto treaty on climate change. Australia and the US are the two highest per-capita emitters of greenhouse gases in the world.

A spokesperson for the environment minister, David Kemp, refused to comment on the report yesterday, saying Mr Kemp had not yet seen it.

Shrinking treasures

The Great Barrier Reef

Suffered serious bleaching from high sea-temperatures in 1998. The reef would die if this became an annual event, as is predicted in the report.

The Wet Tropics

A rise in average annual temperature of just 1C could spell the end for half of north Queensland's mega-diverse mountain rainforests.

The Blue Mountains

This area near Sydney contains many treasures. One of the world's oldest species of tree was discovered nearby in 1994. Threatened by more fires and temperature rises.

Kakadu national park

Home to 3m wading and water birds. Relatively small rises in high-tide levels could flood the area with saltwater.