The report went before the October meeting of council, and will now be placed on exhibition for the public’s feedback.

“The report focuses on the biodiversity in the rural areas of the former Dubbo City Council Local Government Area,” council administrator Michael Kneipp said.

“It identifies areas of public and private biodiversity value and the linkages across the landscape which wildlife in these landscapes depend upon.

“The report will highlight areas where gaps in the vegetated landscape can be identified and prioritised for future re-vegetation.”

In the Rural Reserves Biodiversity Report, manager landcare services Lynton Auld said habitat loss and fragmentation were the two main factors contributing to the ongoing biodiversity decline across the landscape.

“A holistic approach is required across both public and private lands to protect and manage natural ecosystems and ensure connectivity between remaining habitats. When native vegetation is cleared, fragmented patches or islands are created.

“These patches may become increasingly cut-off from other areas of habitat resulting in many plant and animal species becoming isolated, especially when land between the patches is permanently altered for human activities.”

Wildlife corridors, such as strips of vegetation, can provide connections between the patches, he said.

Four priority corridors have been identified within the report for council for structured and targeted tree planting.

“Connecting the isolated fragments of bushland which remain in the landscape is a key component in protecting the region’s biodiversity moving forward into the future,” Mr Auld said.

Mr Auld said NSW currently had less than two per cent of the pre-1770 Fuzzy Box Woodland area, less than three per cent of the Inland Grey Box Woodland and less than one per cent of the White Box, Yellow Box and Blakely’s Red Gum Woodland.