Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of life forms within an ecosystem and we depend on it! Environmental health is judged on the level of biodiversity.

Rice farms are a haven for all sorts of plants and animals. In fact, the rice regions of Australia have become part of The East Asian-Australian Flyway Zone; an international flyway corridor for migratory journeys of many bird species, including water birds that would otherwise not be seen in this part of the world.

Rice bays and irrigation channels are an ideal home for insects and animals including tortoises and billions of frogs. Research has shown that around 40 billion frogs are found on rice farms throughout the Riverina and the Endangered Southern Bell Frog relies on the rice industry for its survival. The farm landscape also includes remnant vegetation that provides homes for many different species of animal and insect.

RGA biodiversity strategy

All human activity has an impact on the environment and agriculture is partly responsible for a decrease in biodiversity in regional Australia. This is why the industry has developed a strategy aimed at enhancing and improving the biodiversity on both the rice farm and surrounding areas.

Our Biodiversity Strategy and Plan (BS&P) was developed by the CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems and the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia to provide practical guidelines for rice farmers to improve biodiversity.

Farmers are implementing measures on and around their farms that will ensure native plants and creatures can live in harmony with the rice growing environment. Some of the activities include planting and maintaining areas of native vegetation and ensuring Black Box and Red Gum woodland depressions are flooded occasionally to rejuvenate wetland species.