Observations on the potential loss of threatened species in urbanising Western Sydney : death by a thousand cuts

Despite international concern for biodiversity loss, as urban pressure increases on the Cumberland Plain of Western Sydney, the native vegetation continues to be lost despite being classified as an 'endangered ecological community' under both state and federal legislation. While substantial sized remnants may evoke public attention. small developments are often approved without adequate attention to the long term impact on even the threatened species of the Plain. In this paper we provide examples of the way in which remnants that may be only a Single housing lot in size, can be habitat for protected species. The on-going loss of these, often tiny reservoirs. is undoubtedly resulting in the loss of native biodiversity by' I000 cuts'.