The outcomes of the risk assessments for the 45 threats to the Region’s ecosystem (natural heritage value) and heritage values (Indigenous, historic and other) are presented in Appendix 8 and summarised in Figure 9.2.
As the Region’s ecosystem and heritage values are closely connected, the projected risk of many threats is the same in both assessments — although for some threats the likelihood and consequence may differ between ecosystem and heritage values.
Risk is often similar across ecosystem and heritage values
Threats from illegal activities (other than fishing and extraction) and extraction of herbivores present different levels of risk between the Region’s ecosystem and heritage values. As in 2019, the risk posed by such illegal activities is higher for heritage values when compared to ecosystem values. Reasons for this include the potential for Indigenous and historic sites to be damaged. The extraction of herbivores, however, poses a lower risk to heritage values than to ecosystem values. This is because it is unlikely to affect historic heritage values and is important to Indigenous cultural practices. Note illegal fishing and extraction, and interactions with species of conservation concern, are considered separately.
