Biodiversity in South East Queensland Carole Rayner Planning Division Environmental Protection Agency

The EPA’s function Our vision: A Queensland where everyone values the Environment Our role: Protecting the environment for a sustainable future The EPA : manages national parks in Queensland (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service). regulates and monitors industrial pollution, air quality, water quality, contamination. helps to conserve biodiversity, plant and animal species, the coast and wetlands. has within it the Office of Climate Change.

What is my Role? I am a biodiversity planner. I prepare strategies, maps and plans to manage and conserve biodiversity values. I work with local government and other government departments and the community to encourage nature conservation and the protection of biodiversity.

What is Biodiversity? Biological diversity or biodiversity , is the natural variety of native wildlife, together with the environmental conditions necessary for their survival, and includes: the diversity of landscape components in a region; the diversity of different community types formed by living organisms, and the relationships between them; the diversity of species; and the diversity of genes within each species. Nature Conservation Act 1992

Why is it important to understand Biodiversity? We are loosing species and need to understand why. We don’t know everything about plants, animals and environments and their complex interactions. We need to make decisions about what habitats are to be retained in the landscape and balance that with agriculture and urban expansion. Human health is linked to the health of our planet and therefore the health of our ecosystems. The natural environment provides us economic prosperity.

Queensland’s Bioregions Queensland has rich and diverse natural resources, including unique ecosystems, landscapes and native plants and animals. We use bioregional assessment and planning to better understand biodiversity. Bioregions are determined by the underlying geology, land zones, soils types and vegetation which occur within them. Queensland has 13 bioregions which describe broad landscapes.

Queensland’s Bioregions

The South East Queensland Bioregion The SEQ Bioregion extends from Bundaberg, to the border of NSW, west to the great dividing range, and to the coastal wetlands (Moreton Bay) in the east. The bioregion is one of the most ecologically diverse in the world due to the climate, variety of soils, vegetation, land types (mountains, lowlands, coastal), and traditional people’s management. These conditions create unique habitats including rainforest, wet and dry eucalypt forests, grasslands, freshwater and tidal wetlands, riparian waterway vegetation. Due to the diversity of habitats there is a high natural variety of native wildlife (ie. biodiversity).

The South East Queensland Bioregion

The South East Queensland Bioregion

Some Plants in our Bioregion QLD Blue Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) Large eucalyptus tree which occurs along the Brisbane River. There are a variety of Eucalyptus trees native to SEQ. Macadamia integrifolia Rainforest. Paperbark trees (Melaluca quinquinervia) Wetlands Mangroves Coasts, tidal creeks Large-leaf chain fruit (Alyxia magnifolia) Orchids

Some Animals in SEQ Bioregion Koalas Squirrel gliders Rock Wallabies Echidna Platypus Glossy Black Cockatoo Green Thigh Frog Dolphins Mary river cod Some of these species are listed as threatened, rare or endangered under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

Information about plants and animals See: http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/wildlife/wildlife_online/ and create a Wildnet list of species for Brisbane City Council local government area.

Urbanisation and Population Growth The SEQ Bioregion is the most intensely populated part of Queensland. The Brisbane metropolitan population (including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast) predicted to increase in the period 2004-2026 by 100% to 3.7 million.

Urbanisation and Population Growth Impact on biodiversity Further loss of vegetation, wetlands, habitats and species. Fragmentation and disconnection of habitats and fauna populations. Increased edge effects around remaining remnant habitats. Introduction of feral animals and weeds. Increased fire regime.

What can we do about it in Urban Areas? Restrict the urban footprint to stop urban sprawl Develop more densely in existing urban areas, around shopping areas and public transport hubs Design developments to include conservation areas. Identify, protect and manage key wildlife corridors so animals can move through the urban landscape safely. Keep and plant native trees in our gardens. Restrict the ownership or movement of dogs and cats. Manage the spread of weeds.

In conclusion… The environment is our single greatest asset. It provides the natural resources upon which a large proportion of Queensland's economy is based: our mineral, agricultural, fisheries, forest and energy resources, our biodiversity and the natural and cultural resources that make Queensland such a great place to live in and visit. The environment sustains us by providing the fundamental ecosystem services upon which life depends. The quantity and quality of our air, land, water, coastal zone, biodiversity and natural and cultural heritage are being placed under increasing pressure. Ecologically sustainable development is no longer just a desirable goal of society, but a necessary one. Only by ensuring that our actions result in environmental impacts that are acceptable in the long term can we ensure that you inherit the same opportunities to prosper as we enjoy today, or even greater ones. Such an approach leads to a genuine long-term competitive advantage and a profitable economy, and sustains our way of life both today and in the future.

Changes in the landscape Observe the following aerial photographs and note any changes in the landscape.

Web links for further information www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/wildlife/wildlife_online/ www.mesa.edu.au www.oum.qld.gov.au http://www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/ http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/index.html http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl http://www.nht.gov.au/

Threatening Processes Clearing Approximately 55% of native vegetation in south-east Queensland has been cleared for urban development and agriculture (Queensland & Commonwealth Governments, 1999). Clearing of lowland habitats (wetlands, river and creek vegetation, grasslands and woodland) has reduced the diversity of habitat left in SEQ. Fragmentation Species/genetic diversity is likely to be reduced where small isolated patches of remnant vegetation remain. Managing small isolated reserves is difficult as a result of edge effects. Pest invasion The introduction of many exotic weeds and feral animals is contributing to the displacement of many native species. Such pests include the feral cat, fox, cane toad, groundsel, pink lantana, creeping lantana, camphor laurel, Chinese elm and red natal grass (Sattler & Williams, 1999). Limited areas for reservation A significant number of ecosystems occur extensively on private land and therefore cannot be reserved to the recommended levels on public land. About 4.3 million hectares within the region are privately owned. The State Government holds approximately 1.8 million hectares (Queensland & Commonwealth Governments, 1999).