Effects
Land clearing destroys plants and local ecosystems and removes the food and habitat on which other native species rely. Clearing allows weeds and invasive animals to spread, affects greenhouse gas emissions and can lead to soil degradation, such as erosion and salinity, which in turn can affect water quality.
The following table shows the Native Vegetation Inventory Assessment (NVIS) of native vegetation by type prior to European settlement and as at 2001-2004.
| Vegetation Type | Pre Settlement Total | 2005 Total | Percentage lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest and Woodland | 4,101,868 | 3,184,260 | 22% |
| Shrublands | 1,470,614 | 1,411,539 | 4% |
| Heath | 9,256 | 8,071 | 13% |
| Grassland | 1,996,688 | 1,958,671 | 2% |
| Total Native Vegetation | 7,578,204 | 6,562,541 | 13% |
Effects Land Condition As land cover is crucial to land condition, land clearing exerts significant pressure on land condition. Removal of vegetation also leaves soil bare and vulnerable to erosion. Soil stability is essential to avoid land degradation.
Read more about this topic: Land Clearing In Australia
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—Germaine Greer (b. 1939)