Key threatening processes are the things that threaten - or could threaten -
the survival or evolutionary development of species, populations, or ecological communities. They are listed
in the
Threatened Species Conservation Act, and include:
- Pest animals. Introduced animal species can compete with, and prey upon, native animals. They can
also damage native plants and degrade natural habitats
- Weeds. Weeds compete with native plants for resources such as light and nutrients. They can
aggressively invade areas, displacing native plants and animals
- Diseases. Exotic fungal infections, viruses and other pathogens can weaken and
kill native species.
- Habitat loss/change. From large-scale land clearing to the gathering of bushrock for suburban gardens,
humans have degraded many native environments across the state.
The list below shows the
39 key threatening processes listed in NSW. Click on the links
to find out more about each threatening process and the species it threatens. You can also find
general information on weeds, pests and other threats on the NPWS website.
Click on column headers to sort
Key threatening process
 | Type of threat |
|---|
| Alteration to the natural flow regimes of rivers, streams, floodplains & wetlands. | Habitat Loss/Change |
| Bushrock Removal | Habitat Loss/Change |
| Clearing of native vegetation | Habitat Loss/Change |
| Aggressive exclusion of birds from woodland and forest habitat by abundant Noisy Miners Manorina melanocephala. | Pest Animal |
| Alteration of habitat following subsidence due to longwall mining | Habitat Loss/Change |
| Competition and grazing by the feral European rabbit | Pest Animal |
| Competition and habitat degradation by Feral Goats, Capra hircus Linnaeus 1758 | Pest Animal |
| Competition from feral honeybees | Pest Animal |
| Death or injury to marine species following capture in shark control programs on ocean beaches | Other Threat |
| Ecological consequences of high frequency fires | Habitat Loss/Change |
| Entanglement in, or injestion of anthropogenic debris in marine and esturine environments | Other Threat |
| Forest eucalypt dieback associated with over-abundant psyllids and Bell Miners | Other Threat |
| Habitat degradation and loss by Feral Horses (brumbies, wild horses), Equus caballus Linnaeus 1758 | Pest Animal |
| Herbivory and environmental degradation caused by feral deer | Pest Animal |
| Human-caused Climate Change | Habitat Loss/Change |
| Importation of red imported fire ants into NSW | Pest Animal |
| Infection by Psittacine circoviral (beak and feather) disease affecting endangered psittacine species | Disease |
| Infection of frogs by amphibian chytrid causing the disease chytridiomycosis | Disease |
| Infection of native plants by Phytophthora cinnamomi | Disease |
| Introduction and establishment of Exotic Rust Fungi of the order Pucciniales pathogenic on plants of the family Myrtaceae | Disease |
| Introduction of the large earth bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) | Pest Animal |
| Invasion and establishment of exotic vines and scramblers | Weed |
| Invasion and establishment of Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius) | Weed |
| Invasion and establishment of the Cane Toad | Pest Animal |
| Invasion of native plant communities by exotic perennial grasses | Weed |
| Invasion of native plant communities by bitou bush & boneseed | Weed |
| Invasion of native plant communities by African Olive Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (Wall. ex G. Don) Cif. | Weed |
| Invasion of the yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) into NSW | Pest Animal |
| Invasion, establishment and spread of Lantana (Lantana camara L. sens. lat) | Weed |
| Loss and degradation of native plant and animal habitat by invasion of escaped garden plants, including aquatic plants | Weed |
| Loss and/or degradation of sites used for hill-topping by butterflies | Habitat Loss/Change |
| Loss of Hollow-bearing Trees | Habitat Loss/Change |
| Predation and hybridisation by Feral Dogs, Canis lupus familiaris | Pest Animal |
| Predation by feral cats | Pest Animal |
| Predation by the European Red Fox | Pest Animal |
| Predation by the Plague Minnow (Gambusia holbrooki) | Pest Animal |
| Predation by the Ship Rat (Rattus rattus) on Lord Howe Island | Pest Animal |
| Predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by Feral Pigs (Sus scrofa ) | Pest Animal |
| Removal of dead wood and dead trees | Habitat Loss/Change |