Threatened fauna species habitat
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Key finding
A large proportion of pre-clear threatened fauna habitat remained in Queensland in 2013. However, the proportion varies greatly among bioregions and among fauna groups. The greatest losses have occurred in the New England Tableland and South East Queensland bioregions.
Queensland
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 155 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for Queensland. Prior to land clearing, habitat was widespread in Queensland for:
- 37 threatened bird species
- 38 threatened mammal species
- 38 threatened reptile species
- 32 threatened amphibian species
- 10 threatened invertebrate species.
The Brigalow Belt and Channel Country bioregions retain the largest extent of pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds, mammals and invertebrates.
The Brigalow Belt and South East Queensland bioregions have the largest extent of remaining habitat for threatened reptiles.
The South East Queensland and Wet Tropic bioregions retain the largest area of remnant habitat for threatened amphibians.
Fauna habitat continues to diminish, although more slowly since 2007. Almost half of the habitat for threatened reptiles and more than 60% for threatened invertebrates has been cleared.
Land clearing in Queensland between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.
Large areas of habitat for threatened fauna remain uncleared across Queensland, however, particularly for threatened birds, mammals and amphibians.
It should be noted that some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, predation, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened fauna in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.
Brigalow Belt
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 76 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Brigalow Belt (BRB) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, BRB provided habitat for:
- 22 threatened bird species
- 18 threatened mammal species
- 17 threatened reptile species
- 8 threatened invertebrate species
- 11 threatened amphibian species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in BRB is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates.
- By 2013, more than 50% of BRB’s pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds, reptiles and invertebrates had been cleared.
- Habitat for threatened mammals was reduced by more than one-third.
- Loss of habitat for all fauna has slowed since 2007.
- Threatened amphibian habitat remained largely uncleared.
BRB land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.
It should be noted that some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, predation, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened fauna in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.
Cape York Peninsula
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 44 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Cape York (CYP) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, CYP provided habitat for:
- 11 threatened bird species
- 8 threatened mammal species
- 11 threatened reptile species
- 2 threatened invertebrate species
- 12 threatened amphibian species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in CYP is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates.
- Loss of habitat for threatened mammals, birds and invertebrates has slowed since 2009.
- There has been no loss of amphibian habitat since 2009.
- Habitat loss for threatened retiles is continuing.
In 2013, more than 99 % of pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates remained uncleared in CYP.
CYP land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development and mining.
It should be noted that some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, predation, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened fauna in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.
Central Queensland Coast
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 31 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Central Queensland Coast (CQC) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, CQC provided habitat for:
- 11 threatened bird species
- 8 threatened mammal species
- 8 threatened reptile species
- 1 threatened invertebrate specie
- 3 threatened amphibian species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in CQC is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals and amphibians.
- Loss of habitat for threatened birds and mammals has slowed since 2007.
- Only minor loss of threatened invertebrate habitat has occurred since 2001.
- Minor loss of threatened reptile habitat has occurred since 2009.
- By 2013, about one-third of the CQC pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds had been lost.
- Habitat for threatened mammals and reptiles had diminished by about 25%.
- Habitat for threatened invertebrates and amphibians remained largely uncleared.
CQC land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.
It should be noted that some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, predation, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened fauna in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.
Channel Country
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 20 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Channel Country (CHC) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, CHC provided habitat for:
- 9 threatened bird species
- 9 threatened mammal species
- 2 threatened reptile species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in CHC is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds and mammals, with no loss of threatened reptile habitat since 1997.
- By 1997, 10% of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened reptiles had been cleared in CHC.
- Almost all pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds and mammals remained uncleared.
CHC land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.
It should be noted that some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, predation, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened fauna in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.
Desert Uplands
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 16 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Desert Uplands (DEU) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, DEU provided habitat for:
- 6 threatened bird species
- 5 threatened mammal species
- 5 threatened reptile species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in DEU is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals and reptiles—however habitat loss for these three fauna groups has slowed since 2006.
- At least 84% of pre-clearing habitat in DEU for threatened birds, mammals and reptiles was retained in 2013.
DEU land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.
It should be noted that some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, predation, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened fauna in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.
Einasleigh Uplands
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 44 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Einasleigh Uplands (EIU) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, EIU provided habitat for:
- 13 threatened bird species
- 12 threatened mammal species
- 10 threatened reptile species
- 8 threatened amphibian species
- 1 threatened invertebrate species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in EIU is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
- At least 97% of pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and amphibians remained uncleared in 2013.
- Habitat loss for threatened invertebrates was minimal (1997-2013).
EIU land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.
It should be noted that some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, predation, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened fauna in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.
Gulf Plains
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 29 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Gulf Plains (GUP) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, GUP provided habitat for:
- 13 threatened bird species
- 8 threatened mammal species
- 6 threatened reptile species
- 2 threatened invertebrate species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in GUP is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, and reptiles.
- At least 98% of pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds, mammals and reptiles remained intact in 2013.
- Habitat loss for threatened reptiles has been minimal since 2005.
- Habitat for threatened invertebrates has remained uncleared since 1997.
GUP land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.
It should be noted that some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, predation, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened fauna in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.
Mitchell Grass Downs
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 28 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, MGD provided habitat for:
- 12 threatened bird species
- 11 threatened mammal species
- 5 threatened reptile species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in MGD is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, and reptiles.
- Habitat loss has slowed for threatened birds since 2005.
- Habitat loss has slowed for threatened mammals and reptiles since 2006.
- More than 50% of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened reptiles was cleared by 2013, mostly in the east of the bioregion.
- Most of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds and mammals (≥99%) remained uncleared by 2013.
MGD land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.
It should be noted that some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, predation, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened fauna in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.
Mulga Lands
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 15 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Mulga Lands (MUL) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, MUL provided habitat for:
- 8 threatened bird species
- 4 threatened mammal species
- 3 threatened reptile species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in MUL is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals and reptiles.
- Habitat loss for all 3 fauna groups has slowed since 2006.
- More than 50% of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened mammals in MUL was cleared by 2013.
- Just over 50% of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened reptiles and three-quarters of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds remained uncleared by 2013.
MUL land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.
It should be noted that some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, predation, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened fauna in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.
New England Tableland
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 31 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the New England Tableland (NET) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, NET provided habitat for:
- 12 threatened bird species
- 7 threatened mammal species
- 7 threatened reptile species
- 3 threatened amphibian species
- 2 threatened invertebrate species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in NET is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and amphibians.
- About two-thirds of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened mammals, birds and reptiles was cleared by 2013.
- About three-quarters of the habitat for threatened invertebrates was cleared.
- Habitat loss for threatened amphibians was minimal since 2007. About three-quarters of that habitat remained in 2013.
NET land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.
It should be noted that some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, predation, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened fauna in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.
Northwest Highlands
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 16 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the North West Highlands (NWH) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, NWH provided habitat for:
- 9 threatened bird species
- 7 threatened mammal species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in NWH is one of ongoing loss of habitat in small increments for threatened birds and mammals.
- The majority of habitat (≥99%) for threatened birds and mammals remained uncleared by 2013.
NWH land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.
It should be noted that some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, predation, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened fauna in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.
Southeast Queensland
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 56 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the South East Queensland (SEQ) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, SEQ provided habitat for:
- 19 threatened bird species
- 11 threatened mammal species
- 11 threatened reptile species
- 11 threatened amphibian species
- 4 threatened invertebrate species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in SEQ is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and amphibians.
- More than 50% of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds, mammals and reptiles was cleared by 2013.
- Just under 50% of the habitat for threatened invertebrates and amphibians was cleared by 2013.
SEQ land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development, settlement and forestry.
It should be noted that some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, predation, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened fauna in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.
Wet Tropics
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 54 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Wet Tropics (WET) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, WET provided habitat for:
- 13 threatened bird species
- 12 threatened mammal species
- 13 threatened reptile species
- 15 threatened amphibian species
- 1 threatened invertebrate species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in WET is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and amphibians. Habitat loss has slowed since 2007 for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates.
- About 25% of habitat for both threatened birds and mammals was cleared by 2013.
- One-third of habitat for threatened invertebrates was cleared.
- Habitat for threatened reptiles and amphibians remained largely uncleared (>84%).
WET land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development, forestry and cropping.
It should be noted that some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, predation, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened fauna in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.
More information:
Indicator: Proportion of pre-clear threatened fauna habitat that is remnant vegetation
Hectares of threatened terrestrial fauna habitat predicted to have occurred across Queensland and per bioregion prior to land clearing and remaining as remnant vegetation between 1997 and 2013. Potential habitat has been created using both MAXENT which uses recent species presence records combined with 7 environmental layers (annual mean temperature, temperature seasonality, annual precipitation, mean moisture index of the lowest quarter moisture index, pre-clearing broad vegetation group, land zone and topographic ruggedness) and buffered species records. Habitat is refined using the latest Regional Ecosystems mapping (version 9, 2013).