Relative Habitat Importance for Threatened and Migratory Species Technical Report

Decorative image
Choropleth map showing relative habitat importance across Australia. There are 7 categories of data indicating relative habitat importance values: 0 ≤ rank ≤ 20; 20 < rank ≤ 50; 50 < rank ≤ 75; 75 < rank ≤ 90; 90 < rank ≤ 95; 95 < rank ≤ 99; 99 < rank ≤ 100. Examples of areas with a rank between 95 and 100 of high relative importance include regions in northern Australia, northeastern coast, and Tasmania.
This Relative Habitat Importance for Threatened and Migratory Species map shows areas of importance for EPBC Act-listed threatened and migratory species. The map ranks these areas from lowest (light yellow) to highest (dark blue).

About the dataset

Many of Australia’s threatened species are restricted to a specific habitat or area. Their survival is more affected by changes to their habitat compared to wide-ranging species.

The Relative Habitat Importance for Threatened and Migratory Species dataset shows which areas in Australia are important for threatened and migratory species. These species are protected under the EPBC Act.

The dataset shows:

  • habitat importance values from lower biodiversity value (0) to higher relative biodiversity value (100)
  • areas important for species that live only in one location.

Species Distribution Models for nationally threatened species are included in this dataset. These models show where species are likely to be found across Australia. They are used to measure the relative importance of habitat for these species at a specific location, compared to all other areas across Australia.

This dataset can be used to help planners and developers to:

  • identify biodiversity risks early in the planning process
  • inform decisions about the location of development
  • minimise impact on nationally threatened species.

The dataset should be used together with local surveys and expert advice when making decisions about specific sites.

About the report

The Technical Report explains in detail how the dataset was developed and how to interpret the results. It includes:

  • geographic area covered
  • software and method used to determine relative habitat importance
  • interpretation of results.

How to access the dataset

The dataset is available to download as a geospatial raster file for use in GIS software from Find Environmental Data. It can also be viewed on the Environment Information Viewer (EIV).

To view the data in the EIV:

  • select the ‘Layers’ panel in the sidebar
  • tick the ‘Threatened Species and Ecological Communities’ layer group to toggle the data on
  • expand the group to view and toggle individual layers on or off as required
  • click the ‘Legend’ button in the bottom right-hand corner to see the colour scale for the dataset.

For more information on how to use the EIV click on the ‘Support’ button in the top right bar.

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Contact us

eia.feedback@dcceew.gov.au