Lim (1997) has recently presented a critique of aspects of the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act (TSCA), and in particular of the role of the Scientific Committee established by the Act.
Particular botanical sites have always been attractive to botanists, and the recording of such sites even in an ad hoc way, adds to our long-term documentation of ecological change. Here we look at records from an unusual dry rainforest site in western Sydney, first recognised in 1910, and re-recorded on several occasions more recently. Though the site has little formal conservation protection, the records indicate that many of the original species still survive at the site, while the periodic recording draws attention to the scientific value of the site, particularly at a local level, and has increased its value as an ecological reference site.Much of the vegetation of the Cumberland Plain has been subject to major clearing and disturbance over the past 200 years, and almost all vegetation is recovering in some way. Repeated visits are valuable for getting a complete picture of the flora; repeated visits by the same botanist over the shorter term (e.g. within a few years) may also be valuable, especially as the revisiting botanist may be more likely to notice changes. By documenting sites now, and continuing this over future years; we can enhance the value of many existing sites.
The Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 represents an advance for invertebrate conservation in New South Wales. Currently terrestrial vertebrates and vascular plants dominate the schedules, but a small number of threatened invertebrate species have been listed. Three snails and four insects have been placed on the endangered species schedule. However, experience has shown that there are difficulties in using the Act to protect invertebrates. Issues include: use of criteria in the Act; taxonomic and scientific impediments; the need to protect habitat rather than individual species; conflicts with the scientific community and amateur collectors; and the exclusion from consideration of all aquatic invertebrates.
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