Threatened flora species habitat

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Key finding

A large proportion of pre-clear threatened flora habitat remained in Queensland in 2013. However, the proportion varies greatly among bioregions and among flora groups. The greatest losses have occurred in the New England Tableland, South East Queensland, Brigalow Belt and Mulga Lands bioregions.

Queensland

Pre-clearing habitat extent for 701 currently threatened flora species was modelled for Queensland. Prior to land clearing, habitat was widespread in Queensland for:

  • 195 threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species
  • 333 threatened rainforest and scrub species
  • 25 threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland species
  • 52 threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland species
  • 16 threatened grassland and forbland species
  • 80 threatened heath and other coastal community species.

The largest extent of pre-clearing habitat for all threatened flora groups was found in the Brigalow Belt.

Large extents of pre-clearing habitat were also found in the South East Queensland, Cape York and Einasleigh Uplands bioregions for all flora groups, with the exception of threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland, for which pre-clearing habitat was most extensive in the Mitchell Grass Downs and Mulga Lands bioregions.

Habitat for threatened flora sustained ongoing loss between 1997 and 2013, the loss slowing after 2005-2007.

  • Between 57% and 70% of the pre-clearing habitat for most threatened flora remains uncleared.
  • Threatened grassland and forbland flora is the exception—66% of habitat was cleared by 2013.

Land clearing in Queensland between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.

It should be noted that some threatened flora species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, herbivory, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened flora in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.

Brigalow Belt

Pre-clearing habitat extent for 190 currently threatened flora species was modelled for the Brigalow Belt (BRB) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, BRB provided habitat for:

  • 105 threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species
  • 36 threatened rainforest and scrub species
  • 13 threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland species
  • 10 threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland species
  • 10 threatened grassland and forbland species
  • 16 threatened heath and other coastal community species.

The trend in flora habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in BRB is one of ongoing loss of habitat for all flora groups, with a slowing of loss for all flora groups after 2005-2007.

  • Only 20% of pre-clearing threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland flora habitat remained uncleared in 2013.
  • 30% of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened grassland and forbland flora remained.
  • 34% of pre-clearing habitat for threatened rainforest and scrub flora was intact.
  • Slightly more than 50% of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species was retained.
  • 71% of pre-clearing habitat for threatened heath and other coastal community flora remained uncleared.

BRB land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.

It should be noted that some threatened flora species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, herbivory, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened flora in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.

Cape York Peninsula

Pre-clearing habitat extent for 135 currently threatened flora species was modelled for the Cape York Peninsular (CYP) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, CYP provided habitat for:

  • 20 threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species
  • 92 threatened rainforest and scrub species
  • 16 threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland species
  • 1 threatened grassland and forbland species
  • 6 threatened heath and other coastal community species.

The trend in flora habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in CYP is one of ongoing loss of habitat for all flora groups, except for threatened grassland and forbland flora and threatened heath and other coastal community flora, which have remained uncleared since 1997.

  • More than 98% of pre-clearing habitat for threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora, threatened rainforest and scrub flora and threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland flora remained uncleared in 2013.
  • Most (92%) of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened heath and other coastal community flora remained as remnant vegetation.
  • 17% of pre-clearing habitat for threatened grassland and forbland flora had been cleared.
  • Habitat loss for threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora and wetland and Melaleuca open woodland flora had slowed since 2009.
  • Clearing of threatened rainforest and scrub flora habitat increased between 2011 and 2013.

CYP land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development and mining.

It should be noted that some threatened flora species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, herbivory, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened flora in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.

Central Queensland Coast

Pre-clearing habitat extent for 57 currently threatened flora species was modelled for Central Queensland Coast (CQC) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, CQC provided habitat for:

  • 21 threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species
  • 26 threatened rainforest and scrub species
  • 2 threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland species
  • 2 threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland species
  • 1 threatened grassland and forbland species
  • 5 threatened heath and other coastal community species.

The trend in flora habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in CQC is one of ongoing loss of habitat for all flora groups, except threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland flora which has remained largely uncleared since 1997.

  • One-third of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened grassland and forbland flora had been cleared by 2013.
  • About one-quarter of habitat for both threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland flora and threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland flora had been cleared by 2013.
  • At least 85% of the pre-clearing extent of habitat for other threatened flora groups remained uncleared.
  • Habitat loss for threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora and threatened rainforest and scrub flora has slowed since 2007.
  • Habitat for threatened heath and other coastal community flora has remained uncleared since 2006.
  • Habitat for threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland flora as well as grasslands and forblands has remained largely uncleared since 2009.

CQC land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.

It should be noted that some threatened flora species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, herbivory, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened flora in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.

Channel Country

Pre-clearing habitat extent for 10 currently threatened flora species was modelled for the Channel Country (CHC) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, CHC provided habitat for:

  • 1 threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species
  • 7 threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland species
  • 2 threatened grassland and forbland species.

Habitat for threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora and threatened grassland and forbland flora has remained uncleared since 1997 with small losses of habitat for Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland flora in 2003 and 2009.

  • Less than 1% of habitat for threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora, threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland flora and threatened grassland and forbland flora had been cleared in CHC by 2013.

CHC land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.

It should be noted that some threatened flora species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, herbivory, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened flora in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.

Desert Uplands

Pre-clearing habitat extent for 33 currently threatened flora species was modelled for the Desert Uplands (DEU) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, DEU provided habitat for:

  • 7 threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species
  • 1 threatened rainforest and scrub species
  • 5 threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland species
  • 14 threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland species
  • 4 threatened grassland and forbland species
  • 2 threatened heath and other coastal community species.

The trend in flora habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in DEU is one of slowing habitat loss for threatened eucalypt forests and woodland flora and threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland flora since 2006.

  • About one-third of threatened rainforest and scrub flora habitat had been cleared by 2013.
  • Between 83–100% of pre-clearing habitat for most other threatened flora groups remained uncleared.
  • Habitat loss for threatened rainforest and scrub flora and threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland slowed from 2001 and 2003 respectively, then remained uncleared between 2011 and 2013.
  • Habitat for threatened heath and other coastal community flora has remained uncleared since 1997.
  • Habitat for threatened grassland and forbland flora has remained uncleared since 2001.

DEU land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.

It should be noted that some threatened flora species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, herbivory, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened flora in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.

Einasleigh Uplands

Pre-clearing habitat extent for 81 currently threatened flora species was modelled for the Einasleigh Uplands (EIU) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, EIU provided habitat for:

  • 34 threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species
  • 25 threatened rainforest and scrub species
  • 5 threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland species
  • 8 threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland species
  • 1 threatened grassland and forbland species
  • 8 threatened heath and other coastal community species.

The trend in flora habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in EIU is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora and threatened rainforest and scrub flora, despite a slowing of habitat loss for these flora groups between 2007 and 2011.

  • At least 95% of pre-clearing habitat for all flora groups remained uncleared in 2013.
  • Habitat for threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland flora and threatened grassland and forbland flora has remained uncleared since 2006.
  • Habitat for threatened heath and other coastal community flora has remained uncleared since 2007.
  • Habitat loss has slowed for wetlands and Melaleuca open woodland since 2007.

EIU land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.

It should be noted that some threatened flora species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, herbivory, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened flora in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.

Gulf Plains

Pre-clearing habitat extent for 29 currently threatened flora species was modelled for the Gulf Plains (GUP) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, GUP provided habitat for:

  • 10 threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species
  • 5 threatened rainforest and scrub species
  • 3 threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland species
  • 9 threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland species
  • 2 threatened grassland and forbland species.

The trend in flora habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in GUP is one of ongoing loss of habitat for all threatened flora groups with the exception of threatened grassland and forbland flora, where only minor habitat losses took place between 1997 and 2005, after which habitat remained uncleared to 2013.

  • Approximately 98% of pre-clearing habitat for all threatened flora groups remained uncleared in GUP in 2013.
  • Clearing of threatened rainforest and scrub flora and wetland and Melaleuca open woodland flora habitat increased between 2011 and 2013.
  • Habitat loss generally slowed for all other flora groups after 2005-2007.

It should be noted that some threatened flora species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, herbivory, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened flora in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.

Mitchell Grass Downs

Pre-clearing habitat extent for 37 currently threatened flora species was modelled for the Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, MGD provided habitat for:

  • 6 threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species
  • 2 threatened rainforest and scrub species
  • 11 threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland species
  • 13 threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland species
  • 5 threatened grassland and forbland species.

The trend in flora habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in MGD is one of ongoing loss of habitat for all threatened flora groups.

  • While at least 88% of pre-clearing habitat for threatened flora groups remained uncleared in MGD by 2013, one-third of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened rainforest and scrub flora was cleared by 2013.
  • Rates of threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora habitat loss increased between 2007 and 2013.
  • Although habitat loss slowed for threatened rainforest and scrub flora from 2005, it increased between 2011 and 2013.
  • Habitat loss for threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland flora has slowed since 2005 apart from the period 2009–2011.
  • Habitat loss for threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland flora slowed from 2006.

MGD land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.

It should be noted that some threatened flora species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, herbivory, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened flora in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.

Mulga Lands

Pre-clearing habitat extent for 24 currently threatened flora species was modelled for the Mulga Lands (MUL) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, MUL provided habitat for:

  • 7 threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species
  • 1 threatened rainforest and scrub species
  • 6 threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland species
  • 7 threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland species
  • 2 threatened grassland and forbland species
  • 1 threatened heath and other coastal community species.

The trend in flora habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in MUL is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened rainforest and scrub flora, threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland flora, threatened wetland and Melaleuca open forest flora and threatened grassland and forbland flora.

  • Loss of habitat slowed considerably for these flora groups since 2005-2006.
  • Loss of threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora habitat slowed after 2003 and ceased between 2011 and 2013.
  • Threatened heath and other coastal community flora habitat has remained uncleared in MUL since 2005.
  • Only Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland flora habitat remained largely intact (93%) by 2013.
  • 57% of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened wetlands and Melaleuca open woodlands remains.
  • 62% of threatened grassland and forbland flora is intact.
  • About 49% of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora and 74% of threatened rainforest and scrub flora habitat was cleared by 2013.
  • Only 14% of threatened heath flora habitat remained uncleared.

MUL land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.

It should be noted that some threatened flora species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, herbivory, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened flora in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.

New England Tableland

Pre-clearing habitat extent for 61 currently threatened flora species was modelled for the New England Tablelands (NET) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, NET provided habitat for:

  • 37 threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species
  • 8 threatened rainforest and scrub species
  • 1 threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland species
  • 2 threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland species
  • 4 threatened grassland and forbland species
  • 9 threatened heath and other coastal community species.

The trend in flora habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in NET is one of ongoing loss of habitat for all threatened flora groups with the exception of Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland flora habitat which has remained uncleared since 2009.

  • Although clearing slowed for all groups after 2003-2005, habitat loss increased for threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora, rainforest and scrub flora, wetland and Melaleuca open woodland flora and grassland and forbland flora between 2011 and 2013.
  • Only threatened heath and other coastal community flora retained more than half of its pre-clearing habitat extent in NET by 2013.
  • More than half of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora (62%), rainforest and scrub flora (59%), wetland and Melaleuca open woodland flora (62%) and grassland and forbland flora (64%) had been cleared.
  • Only 13% of habitat for threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland flora remained uncleared.

NET land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.

It should be noted that some threatened flora species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, herbivory, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened flora in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.

Northwest Highlands

Pre-clearing habitat extent for four currently threatened flora species was modelled for the Northwest Highlands (NWH) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, NWH provided habitat for:

  • 3 threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species
  • 1 threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland species.

While threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora habitat remained uncleared between 1999 and 2011, some clearing took place between 2011 and 2013. There was no loss of habitat for threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland flora between 1997 and 2013.

  • More than 98% of pre-clear habitat for threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora remained in 2013.
  • None of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland had been cleared.

NWH land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development.

It should be noted that some threatened flora species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, herbivory, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened flora in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.

Southeast Queensland

Pre-clearing habitat extent for 228 currently threatened flora species was modelled for the South East Queensland (SEQ) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, SEQ provided habitat for:

  • 80 threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species
  • 90 threatened rainforest and scrub species
  • 2 threatened Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland species
  • 12 threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland species
  • 4 threatened grassland and forbland species
  • 40 threatened heath and other coastal community species.

The trend in flora habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in SEQ is one of ongoing loss of habitat for all threatened flora groups.

  • Half of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened heath and other coastal community flora was cleared by 2013.
  • 55% of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora was cleared.
  • 53% of rainforest and scrub flora, 64% of Acacia forest, woodland and shrubland flora, and 59% of wetland and Melaleuca open woodland flora was cleared.
  • Almost three-quarters (72%) of threatened grassland and forbland flora habitat was cleared.

SEQ land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development, settlement and forestry.

It should be noted that some threatened flora species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, herbivory, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened flora in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.

Wet Tropics

Pre-clearing habitat extent for 202 currently threatened flora species was modelled for the Wet Tropics Queensland (WET) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, WET provided habitat for:

  • 27 threatened eucalypt forest and woodland species
  • 153 threatened rainforest and scrub species
  • 12 threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland species
  • 1 threatened grassland and forbland species
  • 9 threatened heath and other coastal community species.

The trend in flora habitat extent between 1997 and 2013 in WET is one of ongoing incremental loss of habitat for threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora, rainforest and scrub flora and heath and other coastal community flora.

  • Pre-clearing habitat for threatened eucalypt forest and woodland flora (80%), rainforest and scrub flora (76%) and heath and other coastal community flora (95%) remained largely uncleared.
  • 59% of threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland flora habitat remained.
  • More than two-thirds of the habitat for threatened grassland and forbland flora was cleared by 2013—having been lost before 1999.
  • The loss of threatened wetland and Melaleuca open woodland flora habitat slowed from 2007.

WET land clearing between 1997 and 2013 was primarily for pasture development, forestry and cropping.

It should be noted that some threatened flora species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation and that threatening processes such as habitat degradation, loss of habitat connectivity, disease, herbivory, invasive species, grazing and inappropriate fire management place significant additional pressure on threatened flora in both remnant and non-remnant habitat, but are not considered here.

Indicator: Proportion of pre-clear threatened flora habitat that is remnant vegetation

Hectares of threatened terrestrial flora 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 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).

Download data from Queensland Government data