Category: Nature Oasis

With its brilliant white bark that appears to glow in the moonlight, the Ghost Gum is one of Australia’s most iconic and recognisable native trees.

Found throughout Central Australia, this striking species thrives in arid landscapes where few other large trees can survive, making it a symbol of resilience in some of the country’s harshest environments.

It is a reminder that Australia’s unique biodiversity extends far beyond its animals and includes remarkable plants adapted to extraordinary conditions.

Why it matters

The Ghost Gum plays an important role in supporting life across Australia’s arid ecosystems.

🪺 It provides shelter and nesting sites for birds, mammals and insects

🌿 It offers food resources for a variety of native species

🌵 It contributes to the health and stability of arid landscapes

🌏 It helps maintain biodiversity in environments where resources can be limited

Fun facts

🤓 Ghost Gums can live for more than 100 years

🤓 They can grow up to 30 metres tall

🤓 Their smooth white bark peels away in large strips, revealing shades of red and cream underneath

🤓 Their distinctive pale trunks can appear to glow in moonlight, inspiring their common name

Photo credit: Nature Bound Australia – connect, discover, refresh

A deeper reflection

The Ghost Gum challenges the perception that Australia’s arid regions are barren or lacking in biodiversity.

These landscapes support highly specialised plants and animals that have evolved remarkable adaptations to survive in extreme conditions.

Yet arid ecosystems are increasingly affected by climate change, habitat degradation and other environmental pressures that can alter the delicate balance of life they support.

In a country with more than 600,000 native species, many found nowhere else on Earth, the Ghost Gum reminds us that biodiversity is found in every corner of the continent, including some of its most remote and seemingly harsh environments.

Protecting native plants such as the Ghost Gum helps preserve the ecosystems, wildlife and natural heritage that make Australia unique.

From Wonder to Action

Learn & understand

Explore how biodiversity, climate, and land systems are deeply connected through our workshops with People For Nature.

Create your Nature Oasis

Plant native species to restore habitat and support the insects, birds, and wildlife that depend on them.

Join citizen science

Record native species around you on iNaturalist and contribute to real conservation data.

(Special thanks to Simon Andrews, Ambassador for People For Nature, for helping shape this story)

References:

Australian National Botanic Gardens. Corymbia aparrerinja (Ghost Gum).https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp11/corymbia-aparrerinja.html

One of Australia’s most distinctive marsupials, the Numbat is a small, striped mammal that has become a symbol of resilience and conservation success.

Found in pockets of native woodland and forest, this remarkable species is perfectly adapted to life as a termite specialist, using its long, sticky tongue and sharp claws to hunt its favourite food.

It is a reminder that some of Australia’s most extraordinary wildlife can also be among its most vulnerable.

Why it matters

The Numbat plays an important role in Australia’s ecosystems.

🪱 It helps regulate termite populations by feeding almost exclusively on termites

🌳 It forms part of the complex food webs that support healthy woodland ecosystems

🌏 Its presence highlights the importance of protecting native habitats and ecological connections

🌿 Its recovery efforts have become a symbol of broader conservation initiatives across Australia

Although small in size, the Numbat demonstrates how every species contributes to the balance and health of natural systems.

Fun facts

🤓  Numbats have a diet that consists almost entirely of termites

🤓  They can consume up to 20,000 termites in a single day

🤓  They are largely solitary animals and spend much of their time sheltering in hollow logs and burrows

🤓  Their long, sticky tongue is specially adapted to extracting termites from their nests

A deeper reflection

The Numbat challenges the assumption that Australia’s iconic wildlife is secure.

Once widespread across southern Australia, the species has experienced significant declines due to habitat loss, land clearing and predation by introduced species.

Its story highlights both the fragility of native ecosystems and the importance of targeted conservation efforts.

In a country with more than 600,000 native species, many found nowhere else on Earth, the Numbat reminds us that protecting biodiversity requires safeguarding the habitats and ecological relationships that allow species to survive.

How we manage our landscapes, support conservation programs and share space with wildlife will shape the future of this remarkable marsupial and the ecosystems it calls home.

From Wonder to Action

Learn & understand

Explore how biodiversity, climate, and land systems are deeply connected through our workshops with People For Nature.

Create your Nature Oasis

Plant native species to restore habitat and support the insects, birds, and wildlife that depend on them.

(Special thanks to Simon Andrews, Ambassador for People For Nature, for helping shape this story)

References:

Small in size but bursting with colour and personality, the Fairy Wren is one of Australia’s most beloved native birds, known for its brilliant blue feathers and energetic behaviour.

Found across open forests and scrublands, these tiny birds are a familiar sight as they hop through dense vegetation in search of insects and shelter.

They are a reminder that some of Australia’s most captivating wildlife can be found in our own backyards.

Why it matters

Fairy Wrens play an important role in Australia’s ecosystems.

🪲 They feed on insects and other small invertebrates, helping maintain ecological balance

🌿 They rely on dense native vegetation, highlighting the importance of healthy understorey habitats

🕊️ They contribute to the rich diversity of birdlife that makes Australia’s landscapes so unique

🌏 Their presence can indicate the health and connectivity of native habitats

Although small, Fairy Wrens are an important part of the intricate web of life that supports healthy ecosystems.

Fun facts

🤓 Male Fairy Wrens develop striking bright blue plumage during the breeding season

🤓 They live in cooperative social groups and are often seen foraging together

🤓 Their songs are surprisingly complex and play an important role in communication

🤓 Despite their delicate appearance, Fairy Wrens are active and highly adaptable birds

The Fairy Wren reminds us that biodiversity is often found in the small and familiar species we encounter every day.

A deeper reflection

These birds depend on dense native vegetation for protection from predators and access to food, making them particularly sensitive to changes in habitat quality.

As urban development, habitat fragmentation and introduced predators continue to alter Australia’s landscapes, creating and protecting suitable habitat becomes increasingly important.

In a country with more than 600,000 native species, many found nowhere else on Earth, the Fairy Wren is a reminder that conserving biodiversity begins with caring for the everyday places where nature persists.

How we manage our gardens, parks and native vegetation can have a meaningful impact on the future of these delightful birds.

From Wonder to Action

Learn & understand

Explore how biodiversity, climate, and land systems are deeply connected through our workshops with People For Nature.

Create your Nature Oasis

Plant native species to restore habitat and support the insects, birds, and wildlife that depend on them.

Join citizen science

Record native species around you on iNaturalist and contribute to real conservation data.

(Special thanks to Simon Andrews, Ambassador for People For Nature, for helping shape this story)

References:

One of Australia’s most iconic animals, the Koala is a tree-dwelling marsupial known for its fluffy ears, button nose and calm demeanour.

Found in eucalyptus forests along Australia’s eastern and southern coasts, the Koala has become a global symbol of the country’s unique wildlife and the extraordinary species found nowhere else on Earth.

It is a reminder that Australia’s biodiversity is both internationally celebrated and increasingly vulnerable.

Why it matters

Koalas play an important role in Australia’s forest ecosystems.

🌿 They are closely linked to the health of eucalyptus forests, relying on these habitats for both food and shelter

🌿 Their presence can indicate the health and connectivity of native forest ecosystems

🌿 They help draw attention to the importance of protecting Australia’s biodiversity-rich landscapes

🌿 Their conservation supports the protection of countless other species that share their habitat

As an iconic umbrella species, protecting koalas also helps safeguard the broader ecosystems on which many native plants and animals depend.

Fun facts

🤓 Koalas can sleep for up to 20 hours a day to conserve energy from their low-nutrient eucalyptus diet

🤓 Their sharp claws and strong limbs make them expert tree climbers perfectly adapted to life in the canopy

🤓 Every Koala has a unique nose pattern, much like a human fingerprint

🤓 Despite their cuddly appearance, koalas are highly specialised animals with diets limited to a relatively small number of eucalyptus species

A deeper reflection

The koala challenges the assumption that familiar and beloved species are automatically secure.

Despite being one of Australia’s most recognised animals, koala populations continue to face significant pressures from habitat loss, land clearing, road mortality, bushfires and climate change.

Their decline highlights how quickly even iconic species can become vulnerable when the ecosystems they depend upon are degraded.

In a country with more than 600,000 native species, many found nowhere else on Earth, the Koala reminds us that biodiversity conservation is not just about protecting rare species, but also ensuring that our most treasured wildlife remains part of Australia’s future.

How we care for eucalyptus forests today will shape whether future generations inherit a landscape that still echoes with the presence of this national treasure.

From Wonder to Action

Learn & understand

Explore how biodiversity, climate, and land systems are deeply connected through our workshops with People For Nature.

Create your Nature Oasis

Plant native species to restore habitat and support the insects, birds and wildlife that depend on them.

Join citizen science

Record native species around you on iNaturalist and contribute to real conservation data.

(Special thanks to Simon Andrews, Ambassador for People For Nature, for helping shape this story)

References:

One of Australia’s most striking native flowers, the Sturt’s Desert Pea is instantly recognisable for its vibrant red petals and distinctive black centres that stand out against the arid landscapes it calls home.

Found in some of the country’s harshest environments, this iconic wildflower has evolved remarkable adaptations that allow it to survive and flourish where many other plants cannot.

It is a powerful symbol of resilience and the extraordinary diversity of life that has adapted to Australia’s unique conditions.

Why it matters

The Sturt’s Desert Pea is an important part of Australia’s arid ecosystems.

🦗 It provides food and resources for native insects and other wildlife

🌱 Its deep roots help it survive prolonged dry periods and contribute to the resilience of desert plant communities

🕸️ It forms part of the complex web of species that support healthy arid landscapes

🦎 It highlights the remarkable adaptations that have evolved in response to Australia’s challenging environments

Although deserts can appear harsh and lifeless, species such as the Sturt’s Desert Pea reveal them to be dynamic ecosystems rich in biodiversity.

Fun facts

🤓 Sturt’s Desert Pea is the floral emblem of South Australia and symbolises resilience and survival in tough conditions

🤓 Its long roots allow it to access deep water reserves and bloom even during drought

🤓 The flower was named after nineteenth-century explorer Charles Sturt, who noted its beauty during his travels

🤓 Its vivid red and black flowers have made it one of Australia’s most iconic and celebrated native plants

A deeper reflection

The Sturt’s Desert Pea challenges the perception that Australia’s deserts are barren landscapes with little ecological value.

Arid regions support an extraordinary range of specialised plants and animals that have evolved to survive under some of the most demanding conditions on Earth.

Yet these ecosystems face growing pressures from habitat degradation, invasive species and a changing climate.

In a country with more than 600,000 native species, many found nowhere else on Earth, the Sturt’s Desert Pea reminds us that biodiversity extends far beyond rainforests and coastlines and thrives even in the driest corners of the continent.

How we care for Australia’s arid landscapes today will determine the future of many remarkable species that depend on them.

From Wonder to Action

Learn & understand

Explore how biodiversity, climate, and land systems are deeply connected through our workshops with People For Nature.

Create your Nature Oasis

Plant native species to restore habitat and support the insects, birds, and wildlife that depend on them.

Join citizen science

Record native species around you on iNaturalist and contribute to real conservation data.

(Special thanks to Simon Andrews, Ambassador for People For Nature, for helping shape this story)

References:

A living link to Australia’s ancient past, the echidna is one of the world’s most extraordinary mammals and one of only two egg-laying mammals on Earth, alongside the platypus.

Often overlooked as it quietly moves through forests, grasslands and even suburban backyards, this spiny species belongs to one of the oldest surviving mammal lineages on the planet: the monotremes.

It is a reminder that Australia is not just home to unique wildlife, it is home to deep evolutionary history still alive today.

Why it matters

The echidna plays an important ecological role far beyond what its quiet presence suggests.

🐜 It feeds on ants and termites hidden beneath soil and logs

🕳️ Its constant digging aerates soil and improves structure

🍂 It helps cycle organic matter back into the earth

🌱 Its activity supports seed burial and carbon storage in soils

In doing so, the echidna contributes to the health of entire ecosystems, from soil fertility to vegetation growth and carbon dynamics.

It is a small animal with a large ecological footprint.

 Fun facts

🤓 Echidnas lay eggs, one of the rarest reproductive strategies among mammals

🤓 Their long, sensitive snout can detect insects using smell and electrical signals

🤓 During mating season, males may follow a female in a line known as an “echidna train”

🤓 They have survived largely unchanged for millions of years

A deeper reflection

The echidna challenges how we think about “primitive” and “advanced” in nature.

Despite its ancient lineage, it is highly adapted to modern Australian landscapes, surviving fires, droughts, and fragmented habitats.

But like many native species, it now faces pressure from:

😢 land clearing and habitat loss

😢 domestic dogs and road mortality

😢 changing fire regimes and climate stress

In a country with over 600,000 native species, most found nowhere else on Earth, the echidna is a quiet reminder that biodiversity is not just something we observe, it is something we are actively shaping.

How we share space with species like this reflects the kind of future we are building.

From Wonder to Action

Learn & understand
Explore how biodiversity, climate, and land systems are deeply connected through our workshops with People For Nature.

-> https://collections.humanitix.com/people-for-nature-literacy-workshops

Create your Nature Oasis
Plant native species to restore habitat and support the insects, birds, and wildlife that depend on them.

Join citizen science
Record native species around you on iNaturalist and contribute to real conservation data.

(Special thanks to Simon Andrews, Ambassador for People For Nature, for helping shape this story)

References:

NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Echidnas.

https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-animals/native-animal-facts/land-mammals/echidnas

Australian Museum. Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus).

https://australian.museum/learn/animals/mammals/short-beaked-echidna/

One of Australia’s most spectacular insects, the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly is among the country’s largest butterflies and is found only in the rainforests of Queensland and northern New South Wales.

With its striking colours and impressive size, this beautiful species has become a symbol of the unique biodiversity that makes Australia’s rainforests so special.

It is also a reminder that even some of our most iconic species can be vulnerable to environmental change.

Why it matters

The Richmond Birdwing Butterfly plays an important role in the health of rainforest ecosystems.

🦋 Adult butterflies feed on nectar from a wide variety of native and introduced flowering plants

🌼 They contribute to pollination and support the reproduction of many plant species

🌳 Their lifecycle is closely linked to the health of rainforest habitats

🌏 Their recovery is seen as symbolic of broader efforts to protect Australia’s unique biodiversity

As both pollinators and indicators of ecosystem health, Richmond Birdwing Butterflies highlight the importance of conserving interconnected natural systems.

Fun facts

🤓 The Richmond Birdwing Butterfly has a close relationship with the native Birdwing Vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa), which is the sole food source for its larvae

🤓 The Birdwing Vine contains aristolochic acid, making the caterpillars toxic to vertebrate predators

🤓 Despite this defence, the caterpillars can still fall prey to other invertebrates, including other larvae

🤓 Adult butterflies prefer feeding on white and red flowers, including native frangipani, lilly pillies and hibiscus

A deeper reflection

The Richmond Birdwing Butterfly reminds us that no species exists in isolation.

Its survival depends entirely on the presence of a single native vine, demonstrating how deeply interconnected biodiversity can be.

Yet habitat destruction, climate change and the introduction of non-native plants have significantly restricted the butterfly’s range and placed increasing pressure on its future.

In a country with more than 600,000 native species, many found nowhere else on Earth, the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly is a powerful example of why conservation is about protecting relationships between species as much as protecting individual plants and animals.

How we care for rainforests and native habitats today will determine whether future generations can continue to witness one of Australia’s most beautiful butterflies.

From Wonder to Action

Learn & understand

Explore how biodiversity, climate, and land systems are deeply connected through our workshops with People For Nature.

Create your Nature Oasis

Plant native species to restore habitat and support the insects, birds, and wildlife that depend on them.

Join citizen science

Record native species around you on iNaturalist and contribute to real conservation data.

(Special thanks to Simon Andrews, Ambassador for People For Nature, for helping shape this story)

References:

Made famous by the animated film Finding Nemo, the Clownfish is one of the world’s most recognisable marine species and a fascinating example of the remarkable life found on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Also known as the Eastern Clown Anemonefish, Amphiprion percula is a small, brightly coloured fish that lives among coral reefs and shallow lagoons, where it forms a unique partnership with sea anemones.

It is a reminder that some of nature’s most extraordinary relationships can be found beneath the ocean’s surface.

Why it matters

The Clownfish plays an important role in the health and functioning of coral reef ecosystems.

🐠 It forms a mutualistic relationship with sea anemones, with both species benefiting from the partnership

🧼 It helps provide nutrients to its host anemone and keeps it clean

🪸 It is part of the intricate web of relationships that support the biodiversity of coral reefs

🌊 It highlights the importance of healthy reef systems that sustain thousands of marine species

Through its relationship with sea anemones, the Clownfish demonstrates how interconnected life in the ocean truly is.

Fun facts

🤓  Clownfish can live safely among the venomous tentacles of sea anemones because they have a protective coating on their bodies

🤓  They live in groups organised around a dominant female

🤓  All Clownfish are born male

🤓  If the dominant female dies, the dominant male can change sex and take her place within the group

A deeper reflection

The Clownfish challenges the idea that survival in nature is always based on competition.

Its partnership with sea anemones shows that cooperation and interdependence are also powerful forces that shape the natural world.

Yet the future of this remarkable species is closely tied to the health of coral reefs, which are increasingly under pressure from coral bleaching, habitat loss and rising sea temperatures.

In a country with more than 600,000 native species, many found nowhere else on Earth, the Clownfish is a reminder that protecting biodiversity means protecting the relationships that sustain entire ecosystems.

How we respond to the challenges facing our oceans will shape the future of one of Australia’s most colourful and charismatic marine species.

From Wonder to Action

Learn & understand

Explore how biodiversity, climate, and land systems are deeply connected through our workshops with People For Nature.

Create your Nature Oasis

Plant native species to restore habitat and support the insects, birds, and wildlife that depend on them.

Join citizen science

Record native species around you on iNaturalist and contribute to real conservation data.

(Special thanks to Simon Andrews, Ambassador for People For Nature, for helping shape this story)

References:

Australian Museum. Clown Anemonefish (Amphiprion percula).

https://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/clown-anemonefish-amphiprion-percula/ 

Found across much of Australia, the Banksia is one of the country’s most recognisable native plants, known for its striking flower spikes and distinctive woody cones.

With 173 species occurring across a wide range of habitats, from coastal regions and tropical areas to deserts and sub-alpine environments, the Banksia demonstrates the remarkable adaptability of Australian flora.

It is a reminder that Australia’s biodiversity is not only found in its animals, but also in the plants that support entire ecosystems.

Why it matters

Banksias play an important role in supporting wildlife and ecological health across Australia.

🌸 Their flowers provide food for birds, insects and other pollinators

🍂 Many species flower during autumn and winter when food resources can be limited

🌰 Their cones provide food for species such as cockatoos

🌿 They help support biodiversity across a wide range of Australian landscapes

Through these interactions, Banksias help sustain the complex relationships that keep ecosystems healthy and functioning.

Fun facts

🤓 There are 173 Banksia species and all but one occur naturally only in Australia

🤓 Banksias were named after Sir Joseph Banks, who collected the first specimens in 1770

🤓 Each flower spike is made up of hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of tiny flowers

🤓 Indigenous people in south-western Australia traditionally enjoyed Banksia nectar and used flower spikes to make a sweet drink

A deeper reflection

The Banksia reminds us that plants are often the overlooked foundation of biodiversity.

While animals frequently capture our attention, native plants create the habitat, food and ecological connections that support life across entire landscapes.

Many Australian plant communities now face pressures from land clearing, habitat fragmentation, invasive species and a changing climate.

In a country with over 600,000 native species, most found nowhere else on Earth, the Banksia is a reminder that protecting biodiversity begins with protecting the ecosystems that sustain it.

How we care for native plants today will shape the future of the wildlife that depends on them.

From Wonder to Action

Learn & understand

Explore how biodiversity, climate, and land systems are deeply connected through our workshops with People For Nature.

Create your Nature Oasis

Plant native species to restore habitat and support the insects, birds, and wildlife that depend on them.

Join citizen science

Record native species around you on iNaturalist and contribute to real conservation data.

(Special thanks to Simon Andrews, Ambassador for People For Nature, for helping shape this story)

References:

Australian National Botanic Gardens. Banksia.

https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2002/banksia.html 

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australian Government. Banksia Atlas.

https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/science-research/flora-conservation-research/banksia-atlas 

One of Australia’s largest and most striking insects, the Giant Prickly Stick Insect can grow up to 20 centimetres long and has evolved an extraordinary appearance that allows it to disappear into its surroundings.

With its spiny, branch-like body and prickly legs, this remarkable insect resembles a twig or piece of vegetation and can even sway like a branch in the wind to avoid being detected by predators.

It is a reminder that some of nature’s most impressive adaptations are hiding in plain sight.

Why it matters

The Giant Prickly Stick Insect is part of the rich diversity of insects that support healthy ecosystems.

🍃 Stick insects are important herbivores that interact with native vegetation and contribute to ecological processes

🕸️ They form part of food webs and provide prey for birds, reptiles and other animals

🌿 Their presence reflects the health and complexity of native habitats

🦗 They highlight the incredible diversity and adaptability of Australia’s invertebrate life

Although often overlooked, insects such as the Giant Prickly Stick Insect are essential components of functioning ecosystems.

Fun facts

🤓 The Giant Prickly Stick Insect can grow up to 20 centimetres long, making it one of Australia’s largest stick insects

🤓 If threatened by a predator, it can shed a leg or part of its body to distract the attacker and make its escape

🤓 Females can reproduce through parthenogenesis, meaning they can produce offspring without mating

🤓 Despite this ability, males remain important because they help maintain genetic diversity and long-term adaptability within the species

A deeper reflection

The Giant Prickly Stick Insect challenges the idea that conservation is only about protecting large or charismatic animals.

Invertebrates make up the vast majority of biodiversity and perform countless ecological roles that support the health of ecosystems, yet they are often overlooked in conservation conversations.

Like many native species, stick insects are vulnerable to habitat loss, climate change and the degradation of the environments they depend upon.

In a country with more than 600,000 native species, many found nowhere else on Earth, the Giant Prickly Stick Insect reminds us that biodiversity includes the small, hidden and easily forgotten species that quietly keep ecosystems functioning.

How we care for insects and their habitats will shape the resilience of Australia’s natural systems for generations to come.

From Wonder to Action

Learn & understand

Explore how biodiversity, climate, and land systems are deeply connected through our workshops with People For Nature.

Create your Nature Oasis

Plant native species to restore habitat and support the insects, birds, and wildlife that depend on them.

Join citizen science

Record native species around you on iNaturalist and contribute to real conservation data.

(Special thanks to Simon Andrews, Ambassador for People For Nature, for helping shape this story)

References:

One of Australia’s most extraordinary birds, the Superb Lyrebird is renowned for its elaborate courtship displays and remarkable ability to mimic sounds from the natural world and beyond.

With its ornate tail feathers forming the shape of a lyre, the male performs spectacular dances while imitating the calls of other birds, the sounds of animals and even human-made noises such as camera shutters and chainsaws.

It is a reminder that some of Australia’s most impressive biodiversity is as much about behaviour and intelligence as it is about appearance.

Why it matters

The Superb Lyrebird plays an important role in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems.

🐾 It scratches through leaf litter and soil in search of food, helping to aerate the forest floor

🌱 Its foraging behaviour helps disperse seeds and recycle nutrients

🌳 It contributes to the health and regeneration of forest ecosystems

🕸️ It demonstrates the complex relationships between species and the environments they inhabit

Through its daily activities, the Superb Lyrebird helps shape and maintain the forests it calls home.

Fun facts

🤓 The Superb Lyrebird has one of the most complex syrinxes, or vocal organs, of any bird

🤓 It can imitate an extraordinary range of sounds, from the calls of other birds to human-made noises

🤓 Male lyrebirds perform elaborate courtship displays using their distinctive lyre-shaped tail feathers

🤓 Their vocal abilities have made them one of Australia’s most celebrated and recognisable bird species

A deeper reflection

The Superb Lyrebird challenges the way we think about animal intelligence and communication.

Its ability to learn and reproduce such a diverse range of sounds highlights the remarkable behavioural complexity that exists within Australia’s native wildlife.

Yet the species depends on healthy native forests that continue to face pressures from habitat loss, fragmentation and changing environmental conditions.

In a country with more than 600,000 native species, many found nowhere else on Earth, the Superb Lyrebird reminds us that biodiversity is not only about the species we protect, but also the ecological processes and habitats that allow them to thrive.

How we care for Australia’s native forests today will shape the future of one of our most fascinating and iconic birds.

From Wonder to Action

Learn & understand

Explore how biodiversity, climate, and land systems are deeply connected through our workshops with People For Nature.

Create your Nature Oasis

Plant native species to restore habitat and support the insects, birds, and wildlife that depend on them.

Join citizen science

Record native species around you on iNaturalist and contribute to real conservation data.

(Special thanks to Simon Andrews, Ambassador for People For Nature, for helping shape this story)

References:

Hidden beneath the ocean’s surface is one of the most abundant groups of vertebrates on Earth, the lanternfish, a small deep-sea fish that plays an enormous role in keeping marine ecosystems healthy.

With at least 250 species worldwide, many of which occur in Australian waters, lanternfishes spend their days in the deep ocean before rising towards the surface each night to feed.

Their remarkable daily movements are part of one of the largest animal migrations on the planet.

Why it matters

Lanternfishes are essential to the health and functioning of ocean ecosystems.

🐟 They provide an important food source for larger fish, squid and seabirds

🌊 They help transfer energy between the ocean’s surface and deeper waters

🌙 Their nightly feeding migrations contribute to the movement of carbon from surface waters to the deep ocean

🕸️ They play a key role in supporting marine food webs across the globe

Despite their small size, lanternfishes are among the ocean’s most important connectors, linking different parts of the marine ecosystem through their movements and feeding habits.

Fun facts

🤓 Lanternfishes get their name from light-producing organs called photophores on their bodies

🤓 Their glowing photophores help them camouflage in dark waters and communicate with one another

🤓 Although they are typically only 3 to 35 centimetres long, they are among the most abundant vertebrates on Earth

🤓 Some species travel more than 500 metres every day during their vertical migrations in search of food

A deeper reflection

The lanternfish reminds us that some of the most important species on Earth are also among the least visible.

Few people will ever see a lanternfish, yet these tiny deep-sea animals help sustain marine food webs and play an unexpected role in the global carbon cycle.

Despite their abundance, lanternfishes face growing pressures from deep-sea fishing, climate change and light pollution, which can disrupt their natural migration patterns.

In a country with more than 600,000 native species, many found nowhere else on Earth, the lanternfish is a reminder that biodiversity extends far beyond what we can easily see and that even hidden species can have global importance.

How we protect our oceans today will influence the health of marine ecosystems for generations to come.

From Wonder to Action

Learn & understand

Explore how biodiversity, climate, and land systems are deeply connected through our workshops with People For Nature.

Create your Nature Oasis

Plant native species to restore habitat and support the insects, birds, and wildlife that depend on them.

Join citizen science

Record native species around you on iNaturalist and contribute to real conservation data.

Special thanks to Simon Andrews, Ambassador for People For Nature, for helping shape this story)

References: