Ecological thresholds for native vegetation management in southern Queensland

Remnant native vegetation has been greatly fragmented by land development in Australia,however there is little data available on the long-term impacts of such fragmentation on the ecological integrity of remnants.This project attempted to provide data about these long-term impacts and revise the principles behind assessment of land clearing, leading to improved prescriptions for the management of remnant native vegetation.

The project developed guidelines to assist vegetation managers to assess and report on broad vegetation condition, focusing on the grassy woodlands of southern Queensland. Ecological condition was assessed at sites within three selected landscapes around Roma and relationships described between ecological function and degree and patterns of clearing in these landscapes.

Outcomes

1. Establish relationships between degree and patterns of fragmentation, and selected ecological indicators, as a means of assessing the long-term ecological sustainability of remnants in agricultural landscapes
2. Quantify thresholds for management of ecologically viable remnant vegetation
3. Provide tools for rapid assessment of ecological condition of remnants for use by vegetation management officers and landowners
4. Contribute to native vegetation management policy formulation including the development of acceptable management solutions and their associated performance requirements
5. Communicate major findings of the project to the wider scientific and land management communities, regional vegetation management committees and government policy advisers for adoption and application in native vegetation management

Publications and Resources

None listed

Citation

Land & Water Australia. 2009. Ecological thresholds for native vegetation management in southern Queensland. [Online] (Updated April 28th, 2009)
Available at: http://lwa.gov.au/node/3310 [Accessed Sunday 21st of March 2010 04:12:25 AM ].