More than 100 threatened species of plants and animals have had over half their habitat burnt out by bushfires, according to an initial study by the Environment Department.
The recent bushfires are estimated to have burned at least half the habitat of more than 100 threatened species, but experts warn government calculations are likely to fall short because of underfunding of environmental work.
More than half the habitat of the threatened Kangaroo Island glossy black cockatoo was burnt by bushfires.But University of Sydney professor of ecology and evolution Glenda Wardle said a lack of funding for boots-on-the-ground monitoring of plant and animal species over many years meant there were likely to be significant gaps in the department's figures.
Scientists have already warned the fires would probably have made some species extinct and it may take a decade to find out which ones because of a lack of staff and expertise.
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