The extent and status of remnant vegetation in Queensland and its implications for statewide vegetation management and legislation

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Wilson ◽  
V. J. Neldner ◽  
A. Accad
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Regional Planning ◽  
Vegetation Management ◽  
Woody Vegetation ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Conservation Value ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Remnant Vegetation ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Planning Processes

Vegetation classification, survey and mapping provide key information underpinning the implementation of statewide vegetation management legislation and associated policies in Queensland. This paper summarises: (i) the Queensland Herbarium survey and mapping methods and land classification system and its role in vegetation management legislation; and, (ii) the current extent and rate of vegetation clearing by bioregion, sub-region and Broad Vegetation Group; (iii) and the amount of vegetation protected under legislated statewide bioregional and regional ecosystem thresholds. Information also is provided on the pre-clearing and current extent by 18 Broad Vegetation Groups and the area of non-remnant woody vegetation by bioregion. The implications for vegetation management are discussed, along with a comparison of clearing statistics derived from other studies that use different classification and mapping methodologies. The majority of Queensland has relatively continuous native vegetation cover (82% remnant native vegetation remaining in 1999). The productive soils of the southern part of the Brigalow Belt, lowlands in South-east Queensland, New England Tableland and Central Queensland Coast have been, however, extensively cleared with 7–30% of remnant vegetation remaining. Between 1997 and 1999, the annual rate of remnant clearing in Queensland was 4460 km2 of which over 60% occurred in the Brigalow Belt bioregion. A greater proportion of this recent clearing occurred in Broad Vegetation Groups that are associated with less fertile and/or more arid parts of the State compared with pre 1997 clearing. For bioregions and regional ecosystems where past clearing has been extensive, a substantial proportion (50–91%) of the remaining vegetation is protected by bioregional and regional ecosystem thresholds prescribed under statewide legislation and associated policies. For other bioregions and regional ecosystems, other factors such as rainfall, soil and areas of high conservation value are likely to play a larger role in determining the amount of vegetation protected. However, the effectiveness of the Queensland legislation cannot be assessed until regional planning processes have been completed and all criteria addressed.

Biodiversity conservation and vegetation clearing in Queensland: principles and thresholds

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. McAlpine ◽  
R. J. Fensham ◽  
D. E. Temple-Smith
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Resource Sustainability ◽  
The North ◽  
Remnant Vegetation ◽  
Biogeographic Regions ◽  
The Impact

Clearing of native vegetation is a major threat to biodiversity in Australia. In Queensland, clearing has resulted in extensive ecosystem transformation, especially in the more fertile parts of the landscape. In this paper, we examine Queensland, Australian and some overseas evidence of the impact of clearing and related fragmentation effects on terrestrial biota. The geographic focus is the semi-arid regions, although we recognise that coastal regions have been extensively cleared. The evidence reviewed here suggests that the reduction of remnant vegetation to 30% will result in the loss of 25–35% of vertebrate fauna, with the full impact not realised for another 50–100 years, or even longer. Less mobile, habitat specialists and rare species appear to be particularly at risk. We propose three broad principles for effective biodiversity conservation in Queensland: (i) regional native vegetation retention thresholds of 50%; (ii) regional ecosystem thresholds of 30%; and (iii) landscape design and planning principles that protect large remnants, preferably > 2000 ha, as core habitats. Under these retention thresholds, no further clearing would be permitted in the extensively cleared biogeographic regions such as Brigalow Belt and New England Tablelands. Some elements of the biota, however, will require more detailed knowledge and targeted retention and management to ensure their security. The application of resource sustainability and economic criteria outlined elsewhere in this volume should be applied to ensure that the biogeographic regions in the north and west of Queensland that are largely intact continue to provide extensive wildlife habitat.

A review of the potential role of greenhouse gas abatement in native vegetation management in Queensland's rangelands

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 112 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. K. Henry ◽  
T. Danaher ◽  
G. M. McKeon ◽  
W. H. Burrows
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Vegetation Management ◽  
Woody Vegetation ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Land Clearing ◽  
Greenhouse Emissions

Concern about the risk of harmful human-induced climate change has resulted in international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. We review the international and national context for consideration of greenhouse abatement in native vegetation management and discuss potential options in Queensland. Queensland has large areas of productive or potentially productive land with native woody vegetation cover with approximately 76 million ha with woody cover remaining in 1991. High rates of tree clearing, predominantly to increase pasture productivity, continued throughout the 1990s with an average 345,000 ha/a estimated to have been cleared, including non-remnant (woody regrowth) as well as remnant vegetation. Estimates of greenhouse gas emissions associated with land clearing currently have a high uncertainty but clearing was reported to contribute a significant proportion of Australia's total greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 (21%) to 1999 (13%). In Queensland, greenhouse emissions from land clearing were estimated to have been 54.5 Mt CO2-e in 1999. Management of native vegetation for timber harvesting and the proliferation of woody vegetation (vegetation thickening) in the grazed woodlands also represent large carbon fluxes. Forestry (plantations and native forests) in Queensland was reported to be a 4.4 Mt CO2-e sink in 1999 but there are a lack of comprehensive data on timber harvesting in private hardwood forests. Vegetation thickening is reported for large areas of the c. 60 million ha grazed woodlands in Queensland. The magnitude of the carbon sink in 27 million ha grazed eucalypt woodlands has been estimated to be 66 Mt CO2-e/a but this sink is not currently included in Australia's inventory of anthropogenic greenhouse emissions. Improved understanding of the function and dynamics of natural and managed ecosystems is required to support management of native vegetation to preserve and enhance carbon stocks for greenhouse benefits while meeting objectives of sustainable and productive management and biodiversity protection.

scholarly journals Carbon storage value of native vegetation on a subhumid–semi-arid floodplain

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (12) ◽  
pp. 1209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhiannon Smith ◽  
Nick Reid
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Woody Vegetation ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Remnant Vegetation ◽  
C Storage ◽  
Maximum Value ◽  
River Red Gum

The protection of carbon (C) stores in the form of remnant native vegetation and soils is crucial for minimising C emissions entering the atmosphere. This study estimated C storage in soils, woody vegetation, dead standing vegetation, coarse woody debris, herbaceous vegetation, litter and roots in plant communities commonly encountered on cotton farms. River red gum was the most valuable vegetation type for C storage, having up to 4.5% C content in the surface (0–5 cm) soil, a total-site C store of 216 ± 28 t ha–1 (mean ± s.e.) and a maximum value of 396.4 t C ha–1. Grasslands were the least C-dense, with 36.4 ± 3.72 t C ha–1. The greatest proportion of C in river red gum sites was in standing woody biomass, but in all other vegetation types and especially grasslands, the top 0–30 cm of the soil was the most C-rich component. Aboveground woody vegetation determined total-site C sequestration, as it strongly influenced all other C-storing components, including soil C. This study illustrates the value of native vegetation and the soil beneath for storing large amounts of C. There is a case for rewarding farmers for maintaining and enhancing remnant vegetation to avoid vegetation degradation and loss of existing C stores.

Challenges of the Blackwood Basin, Western Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 43 (9) ◽  
pp. 37-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Ecker ◽  
A. Karafilis ◽  
R. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Action Planning ◽  
River Management ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Catchment Management ◽  
Riparian Restoration ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Remnant Vegetation ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Study Zone

Growing concern about the declining state of the catchment and river led to the formation of the Blackwood Basin Group in 1992. Funded primarily by the Natural Heritage Trust and using the river as the focus, the group aims to provide leadership and support to achieve sustainable management of natural resources in the catchment. Through an Integrated Catchment Management approach, the Blackwood Basin Group has managed a range of projects to improve the community's understanding and management of the Blackwood River and its catchment. A number of research, education, demonstration and on-ground action activities relating to river management have been undertaken in partnership with community and local, state and federal government organisations. Activities include demonstrations and evaluations of riparian restoration, funding riparian restoration activities, protection of high conservation value remnant vegetation, a flood risk study, zone action planning and monitoring the condition of the river and its tributaries.

PROCESS IN THE HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE (HCV) CONCEPT WITHIN COMMUNITY-MANAGED FORESTS: CASE STUDY OF COPAL AND BB COMMUNITY FORESTS IN CAMEROON

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (02) ◽  
pp. 215-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
ADJÉ OLIVIER AHIMIN ◽  
MARIE MBOLO
Keyword(s):  
Decision Makers ◽  
Conservation Value ◽  
Empirical Knowledge ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Forest Stewardship Council ◽  
Community Forests ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Conservation Values ◽  
Forest Stewardship

The concept of "High Conservation Value" which was initially used by the Forest Stewardship Council, now plays an increasingly important role in several areas, and most significantly in the design and implementation of development projects. Within the framework of certification of community forests in Cameroon, this concept has been implemented in close collaboration with interested communities. Based on the activities conducted, it is worth noting that the consideration of informal management methods appear to result in better protection of biodiversity. Several categories of High Conservation Values were identified in 2 community-managed forests (Coopérative des Paysans de la Lékié & Bimbia Bonadikombo Community Forests) in Cameroon. Rare or endangered ecosystems, more than 300 plant species and more than 20 wildlife species, including endemic, rare, threatened or endangered species were found. Traditional conservation methods based on culture, as well as some ancestral practices and beliefs help to achieve this protection. Decision-makers and academics should learn from this empirical knowledge for protection programmes and projects of biodiversity.

Effect of reintroduced manual mowing on biodiversity in abandoned fen meadows

Biologia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub Horak ◽  
Lenka Safarova
Keyword(s):  
Restoration Ecology ◽  
Conservation Value ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
New Type ◽  
Surrounding Landscape ◽  
Flower Visiting ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Insect Group

AbstractWetlands have recently become of high environmental interest. The restoration effects on habitats like fens are one of the main topics of recent restoration ecology, especially due to their interconnection with other ecosystems. We studied the manual mowing effect on abandoned fen using the response of three study taxa: diurnal butterflies, flower-visiting beetles and vascular plants. Our results showed that butterflies seems to be quickly-responding indicator taxon for evaluation and that restored management had a positive effect on both species richness and composition of this insect group. The results indicated that the manual mowing effect could be rapid. In comparison with the surrounding landscape, we found that: (i) the manually mowed site was most similar to strictly protected area, (ii) some species of high conservation value could reach higher abundance in restored than protected site, and (iii) manual mowing could bring a new type of habitat (i.e., spatial heterogeneity) compared to the other management types (abandonment, conservation and agri-environmental mowing). The main implication seems to be optimistic for practice: The manual mowing of long-term abandoned fen is leading to the creation of habitat with high conservation value in a relatively short time.

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