Tasmanian Country Article 29th July - Tasmania stars in ANU & TERN environment report

As featured in the Tasmanian Country publication 29th July 2022

In the doom and gloom left from the 2021 State of the Environment report, recently released by the Labour Government, I thought I would direct you to the far brighter vibe that is the recently released Australia’s Environment 2021 Report. It tells a more optimistic story, particularly for our home state. The Report notes that lower temperatures and plentiful rainfall, in part due to La Niña conditions, have supported a strong recovery for Australia’s environment following record hot temperatures, drought and a catastrophic bushfire season in the preceding two years.

Produced each calendar year since 2015 by the Australian National University (ANU) and the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), this alternative report on the state of Australia’s environment provides summaries of key events, environmental conditions and change during 2021. It outlines national average values for 15 environmental indicators and the numbers represent the relative change from 2000-2018 average conditions. And while it’s not all sunshine and roses — ocean temperatures really are rising and an increasing number of our native species are under threat — there are certainly reasons for optimism.

And in contrast to the picture of gloom outlined in the media following the 2021 State of the Environment report, this alternative view suggests many things are on the improve. In fact, Tasmania is leading the pack with an environmental condition score (ECS) of 8.9/10 — a year-on-year improvement of +5.1 — a rating higher than any other state and territory and two points higher than the national score of 6.9/10.

The good news continues.

You will no doubt remember that during 2021 the state’s rainfall was above average (at 1335mm), supporting average soil moisture levels at their second-highest levels since 2000, vegetation condition (measured as leaf area index:lai) the third highest since 2000 and vegetation growth at the second highest since 2000. The maximum temperature was about average and remained below 35oC, while the area affected by bushfires was the second lowest since 2000. River flows were above average, while unprotected soil at its third lowest since 2000.

The report also offers an interesting insight into Tasmania’s land usage. As a farmer I found this data an interesting reminder that we are only farming on 13 per cent of Tasmania’s land mass. In terms of that land use, 58 per cent of Tasmania was classified as ‘natural environments’, 13 per cent was grazing (on modified pasture), 12 per cent was production on native forests and 6 per cent plantation forestry. And during 2019 52.8 per cent of

Tasmania was covered in trees — this equates to 3.59 Mha. If you’re looking for some positive news I encourage you to take a look at the Australia’s Environment report. I have only touched on a few key points related to Tasmania, but there is more good news where these came from. In closing I'd like to congratulate the team at TERN and ANU, led by Professor Albert van Dijk,

they have made spatial information on environmental conditions more accessible and easily interpreted. The report is well constructed and is easy to read, using plain English. It also presents a good range of meaningful data using clear graphics. I’m a big believer that farmers, their dedication to care for their farms and their drive to improve the land and water systems, between one life-time to the next are contributors to the improved Tasmanian outcome now and into the future.

Ian Sauer
TFGA President