Download Vegetation and Biodiversity - Queensland Murray

GOAL 4: To improve the state of
knowledge of biodiversity values
within the wider community.
 identifying areas of improvement; and
 implementation of Reserve Management
Plans.
QMDC
works with individuals and organisations
across the region to improve the state of
knowledge in the community.
Private land managers
QMDC conducts awareness-raising and
training sessions and field days. To date,
142 events have been held where more
than 2,380 community members gained a
range of knowledge and skills on nature
conservation principles including:
vegetation assessment and management,
identification of threats to habitats and
biodiversity (especially ‘at risk’ species)
and conducting flora and fauna surveys.
In addition, the popular FarmEcology
workshop series raises awareness of
biodiversity issues with land managers and
students. To date, 876 community at 38
events members have gained first-had
experience of the fauna and habitats in the
local landscape, learnt about their
ecological roles and ecosystem services,
and discussed actions to protect fauna and
habitat values on farms.
Also, QMDC technical staff :
 advise land managers in developing their
sub-catchment plans;
 provide input into QMDC’s ‘Learning
through Landcare’ education programme
conducted at local schools; and
 assisted in the development of ‘Birds on
Farms-Identification’ and ‘Habitat
Management’ modules for the Naturally
Resourceful workshop series.
Local and state government
and other agencies
Following the Reserves Audit project (see
Goal 2), eight Laws Officers from Regional
Councils and six Queensland Department
of Main Roads officers were given ecology
training regarding reserves for which they
have management responsibility. Topics
included:
 vegetation management;
 assessing the ecological values of the
reserves;
 evaluating current and potential threats;
QMDC collaborated with the former
Waggamba Shire Council to develop the
Spinifex Vegetation Biodiversity Survey
and Yelarbon Town Common ‘Desert
Jewels’ Biodiversity Walk. The extensive
flora and fauna Biodiversity Survey provided
valuable additions to the bank of community
knowledge of the unique vegetation of the
area. The Biodiversity Walk enables visitors
to experience a variety of vegetation types
and birdlife attracted to the lagoon.
State government
In developing the Brigalow Belt Reptile
Recovery Plan with EPA and the Worldwide
Fund for Nature (WWF Australia) Threatened
Species Network, QMDC helps to address
the protection and threat management of 16
threatened reptile species and includes a
community information kit.
Staff from QMDC also:
 provided comment to the EPA and
Queensland Herbarium regarding the
Bluegrass and Brigalow Draft Recovery
Plans; and.
 act as Steering Group coordinator for
The Gums Reserve in association with
the EPA/QPWS and the local Council.
Research*
QMDC supported research including:
 ‘Healthy cotton catchments: integrating
biodiversity ecosystem services and
landscape pattern for sustainable
production’;
 ‘Biodiversity Values and Functional
Ecology of Regrowth Vegetation in
Modified Landscapes’;
 ‘Restoration of fragmented Brigalow
landscapes for conservation: Evaluating
alternative futures in a changing climate’;
 ‘Exploring the landscape restoration
production values’;
 ‘Conserving Biodiversity in Brigalow
Regrowth;
 ‘Biodiversity Condition Assessment for
Grazing Lands’; and
 ‘Assessing the ability of natural resource
management approached to achieve
biodiversity benefits in the Queensland
Murray-Darling Basin’.
Publications
QMDC publications include:
 quarterly Land for Wildlife newsletters;
 ‘Bugs to Bluegrass’ manual - to help
landholders understand the opportunities
for biodiversity to contribute to their
lifestyle and business;
 ‘Birds of the Darling Downs’, ‘Birds of the
Maranoa’ and ‘Birds on Cotton Farms’ (in
partnership with Birds Australia, Cotton
Catchment Communities CRC and the
Catchment Management Associations);
 the Colluvial Native Grasslands Report identifying critical landscape linkages and
outlines methods of improving habitat
condition in natural grasslands in the
Southern Brigalow;
 Conserving Biodiversity in Brigalow
Landscapes' - increasing community
awareness of biodiversity and
conservation values across areas of
significance;
 a report investigating Climate Refugia for
the Stanthorpe Plateau; and
 the Biodiversity Monitoring Manual.
A variety of fact sheets and case studies are
available at www.qmdc.org.au/publications/
browse/1/fact-sheets-case-studies.
All activities which increase community
knowledge of biodiversity valued underpin the
attainment all Vegetation and Biodiversity
theme RCTs and MATs.
(MATs regarding improving the knowledge of the
wider community:3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 13,15, 18, 19, 21).
potential of Brigalow regrowth’;
 ‘Fine-scale habitat mapping of threatened
QMDC COMMUNITY REPORT
Vegetation and biodiversity
assets of the region
The major bioregions in QMDC’s area
are the New England Tablelands, the
Southern Brigalow Belt and the Mulga
Lands*.
More than 30% of the region is remnant
native vegetation with a substantial area
also under regrowth woodlands and
grass-based native pastures.
The Maranoa-Balonne and Queensland
Border Rivers catchments contain a wide
diversity of plants and animals in many
unique ecosystems. As at January 2011,
the total number of threatened species
(Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act) in this region includes:
 18 species declared as endangered
 48 species declared as vulnerable
 1 species declared as conservation
dependent
Vegetation communities have provided
the basis of the agricultural productivity
of the region, with more than 90% of
grazing based on native and naturalized
pastures. The timber industry is worth an
estimated $30 million annually.
Key threats to native
reptiles in the Queensland Brigalow Belt
using new generation radar remotes
sensing and high spatial resolution
imagery’;
Vegetation and Biodiversity
vegetation and biodiversity
There are a number of challenges to the
sustainable management of native
vegetation and biodiversity in this area.
Habitat loss and fragmentation are leading
to the loss of species genetic diversity,
contraction of species distribution and
exposure of flora an fauna to external
pressures, such as predation and weed
invasion.
The ongoing degradation of remnant
vegetation and the low level of protection
for regional species and ecosystems also
pose a significant threat.
Activities and achievements
This document summarises the range of
achievements and activities conducted by
QMDC’s Vegetation and Biodiversity
theme from January 2005 to December
2013 within the Maranoa-Balonne and
Border Rivers catchments.
These activities are guided by the targets
contained within the Regional NRM Plan*,
and aim to maintain or improve the
vegetation and biodiversity assets and
address the key threats through
supporting landholders to achieve the
following goals:
Goal 1: To maintain or improve the
conservation status of native species.
Goal 2: To increase the extent of remnant
native vegetation above 2006 levels.
 ‘Managing regrowth for habitat and
Goal 3: To maintain or improve the
ecological integrity and function of native
vegetation.
*Research partners include , EPA, and Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF), CSIRO Entomology; Land and Water
Australia, Environmental Protection Agency, the Queensland Departments of Natural Resources and Main Roads; Condamine Alliance, South West
NRM; Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority; University of Queensland (UQ) and the University of Southern Queensland (USQ).
For further information please contact:
Toowoomba 07 4637 6200
Goondiwindi 07 4671 7900
Roma 07 4620 4600
For more information, contact QMDC or visit www.qmdc.org.au. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this information, QMDC accepts
no liability for any external decisions or actions taken on the basis of this document. © Copyright Queensland Murray-Darling Committee Inc
Front cover images: Giant Water Lily (Nymphea gigantea), Black Grevillea (Grevillea scortechinii, Little Pied bat (Chalinolobus picatus), Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla), Stripe-faced Dunnart
(Sminthopsis macroura) © QMDC
QMDC’s Regional Biodiversity Officer,
discusses this grass tree (Xanthorrhoea
australis) with Ecological consultant Craig
Eddie and Kay Crosby from the former
Booringa Shire council during the Booringa
Shire Reserves Audit. © QMDC
QMDC aims to achieve these goals
through programmes including:
SUB-CATCHMENT PLANNING
Landholders work together to identify
natural resource management (NRM)
issues and develop local solutions From
January 2005 to December 2013,
landholders in 31 sub-catchment planning
(SCP) groups covering 2.9 million
hectares within the QMDC management
area groups have received funding to
implement their sub-catchment plans.
BUSH TENDER
A programme involving aimed at engaging
landholders in actions to protect intact
ecosystems, especially vegetation
mapped as remnant.
LAND FOR WILDLIFE
This free, voluntary programme
encourages and assists private
landholders to provide habitat for wildlife
on their property by retaining vegetation to
provide corridors for wildlife movement,
shade and shelter for stock and gain
production benefits by reducing erosion
controlling salinity. QMDC administers the
273 registered properties in the QMDB,
including the Maranoa-Balonne, Border
Rivers and areas of the Condamine
catchments.
LAND FOR WILDLIFE PLUS
A management agreement negotiated
with QMDC currently supporting
landholders of 35 properties to conserve
additional habitat values through
additional assistance.
Goal 4: To improve the state of
knowledge of biodiversity values within
the wider community.
* More information on Queensland Bioregions can be accessed online at www.derm.qld.gov.au/vegetation/bioregions
#
For more information regarding QMDC’s Resource Condition Targets (RCTs) and Management Action Targets
(MATs), please refer to the Regional NRM Plan accessed via www.qmdc.org.au
“Working together—healthy landscapes,
viable communities”
GOAL 1: To maintain or improve the
conservation status of native species.
Programmes supporting communities to
undertake activities that maintain or improve
the conservation status of native species and
the protection of habitat including: Bush
Tender, Land for Wildlife, Land for Wildlife
Plus (see Goal 2) and Sub-Catchment
Planning (see Goals 2 & 3).
Additional activities include the mapping of
rare and threatened species of wildflowers
across the Granite Plateau as part of the
implementation of management plans for 28
‘At risk’ species.
QMDC gathers data on the extent of ‘at risk’
species and communities in order to
increase knowledge regarding habitat
requirements and direct future investment via:
 the (former) Environmental Protection
Agency’s (EPA) Biodiversity Planning
Assessments and Biodiversity Back-OnTrack Species Prioritisation Framework;
 QMDC’s Brigalow Belt Reptile and
Stanthorpe Plateau Flora Recovery Plans
(providing data on 16 reptile and nine flora
local species);
 the Desert Knowledge CRC research into
GOAL 2: To increase the extent of remnant
native vegetation above 2006 levels.
QMDC targets the protection and retention of
remnant vegetation through various
programmes.
Sub-catchment planning
Sub-Catchment Planning activities from
January 2005 to December 2013 have resulted
in 245,757 hectares of remnant native
vegetation being retained and protected*. This
includes 183,917 hectares controlling threats of
invasive weeds and pest feral animals ( pigs/
foxes/feral cats)**.
*See Goal 3 for additional activities conducted
through sub-catchment planning.
** See separate Weeds and Feral Animal
document for details
Land for Wildlife
Under the Land for Wildlife programme, 83,849
hectares of native vegetation is being retained
by 273?registered property owners across the
Queensland Murray-Darling Basin, including
‘Endangered’ and ‘Of concern’ ecosystems and
high value regrowth.
Land for
The salt tolerant but
grazing intolerant
succulent Disphyma
crassifolium creates a
‘carpet of purple’ at
Yelarbon Common the northern limit of its
range. © QMDC
‘Biodiversity Incentives for the Rangelands’;
 the Queensland Herbarium’s Regional
Ecosystem data; and
 the Queensland Museum and EPA’s
‘Wildnet’ and ‘Herbrecs’ databases.
QMDC also supported the engagement of a
private consultant to develop a Granite Flora
Recovery Plan for 10 endangered, vulnerable The rare Golden-tallied gecko (Strophurus taenicauda). © C Eddie
and rare flora species found on the Stanthorpe
plateau. The plan includes general species
than 30# remnant vegetation will be increased by
10% of the 2001 mapped extent.
information, listed threats, recovery objectives,
RCT 5: By 2020, the extent of ‘Of Concern’
recommended management actions and an
regional ecosystems across catchments with less
evaluation of the recovery planning process.
than 30% remnant vegetation will be increased by
The implementation of the Plan will also involve
10% of the 2001 mapped extent.
the Rare Wildflower Consortium.
RCT 6: By 2020, areas identified by the
A total of 46 priority species have been
identified the Queensland Murray-Darling
region via the Back on Track species
prioritisation framework, including 25 plants,
two invertebrates, one freshwater fish, eight
reptiles, four birds, and five mammals. Major
and minor threats were identified for these
species, and actions developed to mitigate the
major threats.
Biodiversity Planning Assessments as being of
high nature conservation value are maintained or
improved as measured against baseline condition
to be set by 2008.
RCT 7: By 2020, decline in population of ‘At risk’
flora and fauna species in the Maranoa-Balonne
and Border rivers catchments is halted as
determined against baseline data set by 2008.
(Associated MATs: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 18,
19, 20 21 & 22).
Targets addressed by this goal:
RCT 4: By 2020, the extent of ’Endangered’
regional ecosystems across catchments with less
A stripe-faced dunnart
(Sminthopsis macroura) captured
during the Hodgeson grassland
biodiversity survey © QMDC
Wildlife Plus
Landholders on 35 Land for Wildlife Plus
properties have received additional support from
QMDC to conserve habitat values across
17,924 hectares.
Other vegetation programmes
The rare Painted Honeyeater
(Grantiella picta) © C Eddie
 Shire Reserves Audits have identified
12,577 hectares under council jurisdiction as
being ‘Endangered’ , 'Of concern’, EPBC Act
vegetation communities or high ecological
significance wetlands.
 QMDC has assisted five regional councils
(Roma RC, Western Downs RC, Balonne SC,
Goondiwindi RC and Maranoa RC) to develop
and implement Reserve Management Plans
covering 2,706 hectares including:
 Dulbydilla Reserve, Beranga Reserve and
Ooline Park (Brigalow)
 The Gums
 South Wood Reserve (Brigalow and
Weeping Myall)
 Undulla Reserve (Brigalow);
 Bindle Camping and Watering Reserve
(Coolibah-Black Box Woodlands, Brigalow
and Weeping Myall)
 Police Lagoon
 Gradual Grinding Grooves and Rockwell
 Molinda Roadside Reserve (Brigalow)
 Lundavra Reserve (Brigalow)
 McKechnies Reserve. (Brigalow).
 Maranoa River Reserve.
 35 hectares of private property is also
protected Inglewood Grinding Grooves.
 Granite Flora Recovery Plan and
Southern Brigalow Belt Recovery Plans
provide protection of remnant vegetation and
improved management of regrowth by subcatchment scale groups through
implementation of key recovery actions
identified for species listed as ‘Rare’,
‘Vulnerable’ and ‘Threatened’.
 Biodiversity incentive programs that
protect and actively managing 2,991
hectares of high value native vegetation
including:
 the Vegetation Regional Incentives
program (or Bush Tender) protecting
1,611 hectares; and
 1,380 hectares of the Box Gum Grassy
Woodland vegetation community.
Targets addressed by this goal:
RCT 4: By 2020, the extent of ’Endangered’
regional ecosystems across catchments with less
than 30% remnant vegetation will be increased by
10% of the 2001 mapped extent.
RCT 5: By 2020, the extent of ‘Of Concern”
regional ecosystems across catchments with less
than 30% remnant vegetation will be increased by
10% of the 2001 mapped extent.
(MATs: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15,19, 20 21 & 22).
GOAL 3: To maintain or improve the
ecological integrity and function of
native vegetation.
In addition to the activities previously listed
under Goal 2 specifically regarding the
retention of remnant vegetation, QMDC
supports landholders through the subcatchment planning process to maintain or
improve the function of all native
vegetation.
From January 2005 to December 2013
activities across 115,774 hectares
included:
 rehabilitation of 2,000 hectares,
 protecting 20,035 hectares with 124
kilometres of fencing;
 installing 29 alternative watering points to
protect 20,862 hectares from degradation;
 protecting more than 9,821 hectares of
riparian zone vegetation with more than
196 kilometres of fencing;
 fencing 15,001 hectares ‘Of Concern’
vegetation;
 managing regrowth in 426 hectares of
high value native vegetation;
 planting 6,960 native trees;
 connecting isolated remnants, protecting
1,260 hectares of regrowth (EPBC
Brigalow and weeping Myall woodlands);
(QMDC’s definition of High Biodiversity Value
vegetation is informed by the GIS layers supplied by
the Queensland Government and relevant to the
VMOLA (Vegetation Management and Other
Legislation Act 2009) categories: ‘Of Concern’;
‘Endangered’; and ‘High Value Regrowth’.)
Targets addressed by this goal:
RCT 1: A minimum of 30% native vegetation
 1,041.6 hectares of vegetation and habitat coverage is manages or conserved to
managed via an Environmental
Management System (EMS);
 934 hectares of native vegetation and
habitat is being managed within a salinity
risk area in the Basalt Creek area;
 1,029 hectares managed via the Teelba
Sub-Catchment planning group’s
Vegetation Retention Assessment:
 1,968 hectares of wetland vegetation has
been protected
 managing threats from feral animals and
maintain ecological processes and ecosystem
linkages at priority catchment scales by 2020.
RCT 3: by 2020, there is a 10% increase in
area of sustainably manages native vegetation
for landscape and biodiversity outcomes
through traditional and innovative economic
uses, bases on representative areas to be
determined by 2008.
RCT 6: By 2020, areas identified by the
Biodiversity Planning Assessments as being
of high nature conservation value are
maintained or improved as measured against
baseline condition to be set by 2008.
RCT 8: By 2020, the biodiversity condition and
ecological health of 10% of the area of native
vegetation in priority catchments are
maintained or improved as measured against
baseline conditions to be set by 2008.
weeds over 39,401 hectares of high
biodiversity value vegetation (including
(grasslands).
*For more information regarding weeds and Associated MATs: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13 & 15).
pest activities see separate 'Weed and Feral
Animals' document.