Editing Biriwal Bulga National Park (section)

== Environmental threats ==

=== Pests ===
Biriwal Bulga national park contains different animals, some of which are considered pests and disturb the natural ecosystem of the park. The pests sighted within the area are [[Free-ranging dog|wild dogs]], foxes, pigs and cats.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=BIRIWAL BULGA NATIONAL PARK AND WEELAH NATURE RESERVE PLAN OF MANAGEMENT|url=https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents/Parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/Parks-plans-of-management/biriwal-bulga-national-park-weelah-reserve-plan-of-management-040129.pdf|last=NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment and Conservation|date=2004|website=NSW government|access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref> The most prevalent danger are wild dogs, in particular, [[Dingo|dingoes]].<ref name=":4" /> Dingoes pose threats to the native koala population within the national park. Their speed allows them to track and hunt koalas that have left their trees.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last1=Love|first1=Ashley|last2=Sweeney|first2=Oisin F.|date=2015|title=A Blueprint for a comprehensive reserve system for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) on the North Coast of New South Wales|journal=National Parks Association of New South Wales, Sydney|pages=40–42}}</ref> Foxes and pigs are also a concern for the park's natural catchment.<ref name=":0" /> The pests’ movement throughout the park can cause damage to the soil. This can lead to increase in [[erosion]] which cause dirt to be run-off along with the water to the park's neighbouring [[Drainage basin|catchments]].<ref name=":2" />

In addition to animal pests, there are also plants and weeds which threaten to damage the habitat.<ref name=":0" /> In 1968–1969, a pine plantation plot was established as a trial for future pine plantation programs on the plateau.<ref name=":0" /> These pine trees have started to disperse to the surrounding areas outside their original allocation.<ref name=":3" /> This can cause problems if left uncontrolled as it damages the natural ecosystem of the park.<ref name=":6" /> There are also a number of pest plants which have invaded into the park from the neighbouring Yarras Mountain Trail. The most common of which is known as the [[lantana]].<ref name=":0" />

=== Fires ===
Due to the areas densely covered forest, the park is susceptible to fires. These fire pose as a threat to the wet sclerophyll communities which are abundant in the park. The fires have the capability to burn the rainforest and threaten the biodiversity within the park if they occur regularly.<ref name=":7">Auld, T.D., Keith, D.A. & Bradstock, R.A. 1995, “Fire and Conservation: Imperatives and constraints on managing for Biodiversity, in Bradstock, R.A. et al (1995) Conserving Biodiversity: threats and solutions. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney.</ref> The main type fire  is vegetation fire, most commonly known as bushfire.<ref name=":8">Bryant, C. (2008). Deliberately lit vegetation fires in Australia. ''Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice'', (350), 1–6. Retrieved from https://aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi350. Retrieved on 15/05/2020</ref>

Biriwal Bulga National Park was one of the areas affected by the 2019-2020 bushfire season in Australia. The fire burned during the periods of mid-December to mid-January. The torrential rain and large thunderstorms helped firefighters to contain the spread throughout the park.<ref>Nobel, F. (2020, Jan 26). Weather: States smash last month's rainfall in 24 hours. ''9 NEWS''. Retrieved from: https://www.9news.com.au/national/aus-weather-severe-rain-event-wont-be-enough-to-break-drought-melbourne-vic-nsw-qld/b44c63b1-b764-4290-a15b-2075b76acf6c. Retrieved on: 15/05/2020</ref>

=== Bacteria ===
Within the National Park, there are some bacteria  that pose potential problems to the wildlife which inhabit it. A  [[Bacteria|bacterium]] pathogen dangerous to the wildlife, in particular koalas is: [[Chlamydia pecorum]].<ref name=":5">Waugh, C., Hanger, J., Timms, P., & Polkinghorne, A. (2016). ''Koala translocations and Chlamydia: Managing risk in the effort to conserve native species''. (Report). Biological Conservation, 197, 247–253.</ref> This pathogen is an [[Infectious Disease|infectious disease]] which harms koalas and potentially could cause fatality.<ref name=":5" /> It is dangerous due to the ease of which it spreads from animals to animals. As koalas, move regularly from neighbouring regions into the national park, the spread of this disease is apparent in the park.<ref name=":5" /> There are management plans in place to restrict the influence of bacteria on the koala population within the park.<ref name=":4" />