Incorporating ecosystems and ecological communities into strategic conservation planning

To reverse declines and facilitate effective recovery of species and ecosystems, it is essential to strategically allocate limited resources to maximise biodiversity outcomes. Despite legal recognition and protection status, threatened ecosystems have historically received less attention than threatened species in conservation policies and management efforts. In this thesis, I advanced our understanding of threatened biodiversity management, demonstrating the importance of considering threatened ecosystems alongside threatened species as critical units for managing biodiversity, with a particular focus on the Australian context. My research shows the complexities inherent to ecosystem restoration and recovery; and highlights the potential for management efficiencies.