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What is a Key Threatening Process?

 

A threatening process is something that threatens, or could potentially threaten, the survival or evoluntionary development of a species, population or ecological community. A threat can be listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) as a 'Key Threatening Process' if it adversely affects threatened species, populations or ecological communities or if it could cause species, populations or ecological communities that are not threatened to become threatened.

Find out how a threat is listed as a Key Threatening Process.

Threats to threatened species and other plants and animals in NSW

Threats to threatened species and other plants and animals in NSW include:

• Pest animals - Introduced animal species, such as the European rabbit and Red fox, can compete with or prey upon native animals. They can also damage native plants and degrade natural habitats.
• Weeds - Weeds such as lantana and bitou bush can compete with native plants for resources such as light and nutrients. They can aggressively invade areas, displacing native plants and animals. View more information about pests and weeds.
• Diseases - Exotic fungal infections, viruses and other pathogens can weaken and kill native species.
• Habitat loss or change - From large-scale land clearing to the gathering of bushrock for suburban gardens, humans have degraded many native environments across the state.

See a list of all threats currently listed in NSW.

What happens once a threat is listed?

If left unchecked, a threatening process will inevitably cause the extinction of native plants and animals, especially those that are already at risk such as threatened species. A number of threat abatement strategies have been identified in the NSW Priorities Action Statement (PAS) for managing threats to biodiversity. A threat-based approach enables the threat to be managed in order to prevent other species from becoming threatened, and is an efficient tool for addressing a threat that may affect a number of species and their habitats. 

A number of threat abatement strategies for managing threats to biodiversity have been identified in the PAS and include:

• Preparing a Threat Abatement Plan
• Preparing a Statement of Intent
• Preparing a Management Agreement with public authorities, CMAs and land managers/landowners (Joint Management Agreement)
• Coordinating the recovery or threat abatement program
• Undertaking control actions 

Find out more about the NSW PAS and view the details of all threat abatement strategies by downloading: Introducing the NSW Threatened Species Priorities Action Statement (PDF, 331KB)