Threatened Australian faunal realm

Threatened Australian faunal region
Threatened Australian biogeographical realm

Nature

The threatened Australian faunal realm refers to the increasing risk of extinction faced by Australia’s unique animal species due to human activities and environmental changes. Habitat loss, invasive species, climate change, altered fire regimes, and pollution have severely impacted native mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Australia has one of the world’s highest rates of mammal extinction, with many species now classified as threatened or endangered. This crisis undermines biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and cultural heritage, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect and restore Australia’s distinctive and vulnerable wildlife.

Background

The Neotropical biogeographic realm is equivalent to the Notogaean faunal realm in the older system which divided the globe into three faunal realms: Neogaean (New World), Notogaean (Australasia) and Arctogaean (Old World). The Australian faunal realm comprises continental Australia, Tasmania and coastal islands.

Incidence

Australia’s faunal realm is experiencing alarming declines, with over 1,800 species listed as threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The continent has the world’s highest rate of mammal extinctions, and nearly half of its unique terrestrial mammals are at risk. Habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change have driven significant population reductions, making this a matter of global biodiversity concern.
In 2022, the Australian government declared the koala endangered in New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory, following a 50% population decline in two decades due to habitat destruction, disease, and bushfires.

Claim

The threatened Australian faunal realm is a crisis demanding urgent action. Unique species are vanishing at an alarming rate due to habitat destruction, invasive species, and climate change. Losing these irreplaceable animals not only devastates biodiversity but also undermines ecosystems vital to our survival. Ignoring this problem is reckless and irresponsible—Australia’s natural heritage is at stake, and immediate, decisive measures are essential to prevent irreversible loss. This is an emergency we cannot afford to ignore.

Counter-claim

Concerns about the threatened Australian faunal realm are vastly overstated. Species have always come and gone throughout history, and nature adapts. Resources would be better spent on human priorities like healthcare and infrastructure rather than worrying about a few animals. The ecosystem will balance itself without intervention, and the loss of some species is simply part of natural progress. This issue is not nearly as important as it’s made out to be.