Biodiversity values and functional ecology of regrowth vegetation in modified landscapes

Citation

Land & Water Australia. 2009. Biodiversity values and functional ecology of regrowth vegetation in modified landscapes. [Online] (Updated April 23rd, 2009)
Available at: http://lwa.gov.au/node/3259 [Accessed Tuesday 26th of April 2011 01:51:42 AM ].

This project aims to increase ecological knowledge of Queensland’s semi-arid woodlands through quantitative assessments and provide scientific advice for more effective policy, planning and management of these ecosystems and restoration of degraded and fragmented habitat.

It will quantify the role of regrowth vegetation in maintaining biodiversity values, soil condition, ecological function and net primary production at the property and landscape scales in poplar box and mulga woodlands of Western Queensland. In these landscapes regrowth can provide a cost-effective solution to targeted revegetation, once information on the functionality of regrowth in the landscape is known.

Expected project completion date: June 2009

Outcomes

1. Increase ecological knowledge of Queensland’s semi-arid woodlands through quantitative assessments.

2. Quantify the role of regrowth vegetation in maintaining biodiversity values, soil condition, ecological function and net primary production at the property and landscape scales.

3. Establish key flora and fauna species responses to variation in native vegetation age structure and disturbance levels in semi-arid woodlands at the property and landscape scales.

4. Derive and test predictions of ecological function from surrogate indicators that can be used in property and landscape (sub-catchment) vegetation management planning.

5. Provide scientific underpinning for more effective policy and management of native vegetation in the target ecosystems and landscapes.

6. Provide practical recommendations for cost effective property planning and restoration of degraded and fragmented habitat.