Demographic change and rural nature

Future demographic change in Australia's rural environments will yieldsubstantial challenges and opportunities for biodiversity conservation. Humans preferentiallysettle in the most biodiverse regions resulting in considerable spatialconflict between human settlement and species conservation. The natural amenitiesof rural landscapes (e.g., mountains and forests) are recognised increasinglyas factors important in influencing rural population growth. A combination of naturaland built amenities (e.g., transport networks) results in solid growth rates insome rural districts with an influx of new residents often with strong conservationethics, but little experience in rural land management. The energy and ideals ofnew migrants may help to promote conservation in rural landscapes, but there aresubstantial challenges in translating goodwill into on-ground action. This is especiallytrue in landscapes characterised by small properties and a diverse range oflandholders, whereby obtaining significant conservation outcomes requires extensivecoordination across many landowners. In rural landscapes characterised bypopulation decline and land abandonment, biodiversity conservation is threatenedby a reduction in the workforce available to control invasive species (particularlythose traditionally considered as agricultural pests), while significant opportunitiesexist for landscape rehabilitation. Maximising biodiversity gains in Australia's 'newbush' requires greater emphasis on acknowledging the biodiversity and ecosystemservice values of rural properties, strengthening partnerships between rural andurban Australia, and setting clear and measurable objectives reflecting desirableconservation and production outcomes.