Most habitat clearing concentrated in just 12 federal electorates, study finds

Most clearing of Australian habitat relied on by threatened species is concentrated in just 12 federal electorates, nine of which are held by the Coalition, an analysis has found.

 Land clearing in Queensland. Scientists say more than
 90% of the threatened species habitat lost since 2000
has occurred in 12 electorates.

University of Queensland scientists found more than 90% of the threatened species habitat lost since the turn of the century has been in six electorates in Queensland, two each in NSW and Western Australia and one in Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Most of the land-clearing in Queensland has been to create pasture.

The study, commissioned by the Australian Conservation Foundation, was released following a United Nations global assessment that found biodiversity is being lost at an unprecedented rate, with one million species at risk of extinction. The report warns the decline in native life could have implications for human populations across the globe.

Read the story from The Guardian by Adam Morton - “Most habitat clearing concentrated in just 12 federal electorates, study finds.”