EXPERT
COMMENT
Media and
Communications
Tel. +61 3 9925 3176
Fax +61 3 9662 2739
MELBOURNE
BRUNSWICK
BUNDOORA
FISHERMAN’S BEND
POINT COOK
HAMILTON
HO CHI MINH CITY
HANOI
—
Expert comment on biodiversity in Victoria —
A report by the World Wide Fund for Nature has found biodiversity across the
globe declined by almost one-third in the past 35 years, mainly as a result of
habitat loss and the wildlife trade.
The WWF’s Living Planet Index shows that between 1970 and 2007 land-based
species fell by 25 per cent, marine species dropped by 28 per cent and freshwater
species by 29 per cent.
Why is biodiversity so important to human survival?
What has happened to biodiversity in Victoria in the past three decades?
Which species are facing extinction in Melbourne’s urban fringe and across the
state?
Is the Victorian Government doing enough to encourage biodiversity and protect
our most endangered ecosystems?
RMIT University’s Dr Sarah Bekessy is an expert on biodiversity, the management
of threatened species and urban ecology.
Dr Bekessy is a member of the reference group that guided the development of the
Victorian Government’s recent Land and Biodiversity White Paper and is also a
member of the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability’s reference group
and a Board member for Environment Victoria.
Her current research looks at biodiversity planning in urban fringe suburbs,
examining strategic approaches to conservation in urban environments.
A Senior Lecturer in the School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning, Dr
Bekessy is available for comment on biodiversity and how the WWF’s statistics
apply to Victoria’s environment.
For interviews: RMIT University’s Dr Sarah Bekessy, (03) 9925 1858 or 0425
828 471.
For general media enquiries: RMIT University Media and Communications,
Gosia Kaszubska, (03) 9925 3176 or 0417 510 735.
16 May, 2008
NEWS 
