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Australian Environment Minister Peter Garrett warns that efforts to save some endangered plants and animals may be abandoned due to a lack of money.
Garrett says the government plans to concentrate on protecting fragile ecosystems rather than individual species.
Peter Garrett says Australia's record of protecting its biodiversity has been poor. He proposes a more "holistic and strategic" approach to protecting vulnerable species.
The country is investigating more cost-effective ways to protect the environment as budgets have been hit hard by the global economic slowdown.
Saving entire ecosystems rather than focusing on individual species is part of the government's plan. This would include enhancing efforts to safeguard the Great Barrier Reef. It stretches for more than 2,000 kilometers along Australia's northeast coast and is home to a wonderful array of mollusks, fish, sea snakes and birds.
View of Australia's Great Barrier Reef
View of Australia's Great Barrier Reef
The World Heritage Area attracts more than 2 million visitors every year, but is being degraded by warming ocean temperatures, pollution and over-fishing.
Like most countries, Australia has to balance economic growth with protecting its environment. But Environment Minister G
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