Biodiversity - Nature's Insurance Policy for a Sustainable Future S25 Ep19

This week Tim, Jill and guests will be discussing biodiversity. Biodiversity is a term that is used frequently today - but what does it really mean and why is it so important to many aspects of our lives?  Essentially it is all the variety and variability of all the different life forms on Earth ie plants and animals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, fungi and other micro-organisms such as bacteria.  The complex interactions of the species and the balance of natural processes and lifecycles make it possible for us to survive into the future meaningfully. They explore some of the reasons that biodiversity of species and the health of both land and water ecosystems is declining and why urgent action is needed to reverse this trend.  We will also explore some of the excellent projects that are underway in various parts of the world and closer to home in our State and region that offer significant hope for threatened species and their habitats.  There are many opportunities to support and become involved in these and our guests will elaborate more on this. Liz Downes is a forest activist, researcher and campaigner and a Director of the Rainforest Information Centre. The campaign she has mainly been working on in recent years is located in Ecuador where mining and other threats are threatening the Equatorial forests in one of thy world's most biodiverse regions where we are still discovering the species that exist there. Any habitat loss can have severe consequences for species survival and for future generations especially as we lose insect and pollinator species that impact food the health of the entire ecosystem.  Also of interest is MRAG (Melbourne Rainforest Action Group) - https://rainforestactiongroup.org/  Vanessa Malandrin is an agricultural scientist, former EarthChat presenter and leading BEAM member is currently the Facilitator of the South West Goulburn Landcare Network which consists of 5 sub-groups across the Mitchell Shire.  We hear from Vanessa about the important work in the region on biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration as well as opportunities to become involved in some exciting projects. Other sources of useful information are: https://www.iucnredlist.org/ (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2024/05/protecting-our-pollinators/ (Protecting our pollinators - Australian Geographic) https://euroaarboretum.com.au/matchstick_grasshopper/ (Bringing Endangered bugs back to Taungurung grasslands  – Euroa Arboretum) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/13/a-horror-movie-sharks-and-octopuses-among-200-species-killed-by-toxic-algae-off-south-australia