- Nearly one third of all Australian bird species are found in cotton growing regions
- A bird study of 19 water storages on nine cotton farms in the Gwydir Valley recorded 42,495 birds representing 45 different species – including many of conservation significance
- In a study of cotton farms in the Namoi Valley of NSW, 138 species of birds were recorded
- 20-30% of the area on cotton farms is covered by native vegetation, with most of these vegetation areas located along the riparian zone of the major river systems in the Darling catchments
- Large numbers of invertebrates are found in and around cotton crops. In one cotton crop study, 450 species of invertebrates were recorded and another reported 90 species of predators (such as ladybeetles)
- One handful of soil may hold as many bacteria as there are people on earth
- In healthy habitats, birds can eat as much as half of all the invertebrates present and microbats can consume up to 75% of their own body weight every night
- Native insectivorous bats (microbats) are attracted to irrigated cotton due to the large numbers of invertebrates found in the crop – one study in the Lower Namoi Valley recorded seven species of microbats
- A recent survey indicated many cotton growers are managing for biodiversity by fencing off native vegetation, removing weeds and controlling feral animals
- The Cotton Catchment Communities CRC, in conjunction with catchment bodies and research institutions, is investing $20 million over seven years in biodiversity and natural resource management research
