Threatened fauna species habitat
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Key finding
A large proportion of pre-clear threatened fauna habitat remained in Queensland in 2015, however, the proportion varies greatly among bioregions and among fauna groups. Threatened fauna habitat loss in Queensland is ongoing and accelerated for all fauna groups between 2013 and 2015.
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.
Large areas of habitat for threatened fauna remain uncleared across Queensland, particularly for threatened birds, mammals and amphibians. The Brigalow Belt and Channel Country bioregions retain the largest extent of pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds and mammals. The South East Queensland and Wet Tropic bioregions retain the largest area of remnant habitat for threatened amphibians. The Brigalow Belt and South East Queensland bioregions have the largest extent of remaining habitat for threatened reptiles and invertebrates.
Most habitat loss for Queensland’s threatened fauna occurred prior to 1997. Habitat loss is, however, ongoing; indeed, accelerated for all fauna groups between 2013 and 2015. Most notably, almost half (46%) of the habitat for threatened reptiles and 62% of habitat for threatened invertebrates had been cleared by 2015.
Land clearing in Queensland between 1997 and 2015 was primarily for pasture development.
It should be noted that while some threatened fauna species may be able to utilise non-remnant vegetation, 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.
Brigalow Belt
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 82 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Brigalow Belt (BRB) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, BRB provided habitat for:
- 22 threatened bird species
- 22 threatened mammal species
- 18 threatened reptile species
- 8 threatened invertebrate species
- 12 threatened amphibian species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2015 in BRB is one of ongoing loss of habitat for all threatened fauna groups.
- By 2015, more than half the pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds (61%), reptiles (54%) and invertebrates (75%) had been cleared.
- Habitat for threatened mammals was reduced by more than one-third (39%).
- Loss of habitat for all fauna had slowed after the 2006-2007 period, but accelerated between 2013 and 2015.
- Threatened amphibian habitat remained largely uncleared (93%) by 2015.
BRB land clearing between 1997 and 2015 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.
Cape York Peninsula
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 46 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Cape York (CYP) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, CYP provided habitat for:
- 12 threatened bird species
- 9 threatened mammal species
- 10 threatened reptile species
- 2 threatened invertebrate species
- 13 threatened amphibian species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2015 in CYP is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates.
- Loss of habitat for threatened mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates accelerated between 2013 and 2015.
- There has been no loss of amphibian habitat since 2009.
As at 2015, 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 2015 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.
Central Queensland Coast
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 32 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
- 9 threatened mammal species
- 8 threatened reptile species
- 1 threatened invertebrate species
- 3 threatened amphibian species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2015 in CQC is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals and amphibians. Habitat loss for threatened birds, mammals and reptiles accelerated between 2013 and 2015.
- There has been no threatened invertebrate habitat loss since 2001.
- By 2015, about one-third (34%) of the CQC pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds had been cleared.
- 22% of habitat for both threatened mammals and reptiles was cleared prior to 2015.
- Habitat for threatened invertebrates and amphibians remained largely uncleared (99% and 91% respectively) by 2015.
CQC land clearing between 1997 and 2015 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.
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:
- 8 threatened bird species
- 10 threatened mammal species
- 2 threatened reptile species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2015 in CHC is variable with ongoing loss of habitat for threatened mammals, accelerated loss of habitat for threatened birds between 2013 and 2015, yet no loss of threatened reptile habitat since 1997.
- By 1997, 9% 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 2015 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.
Desert Uplands
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 19 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Desert Uplands (DEU) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, DEU provided habitat for:
- 6 threatened bird species
- 6 threatened mammal species
- 7 threatened reptile species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2015 in DEU is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals and reptiles, accelerating slightly for all fauna groups between 2013 and 2015.
- A majority of pre-clearing habitat in DEU for threatened birds (84%), mammals (92%) and reptiles (87%) remained uncleared in 2015.
DEU land clearing between 1997 and 2015 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.
Einasleigh Uplands
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 48 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Einasleigh Uplands (EIU) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, EIU provided habitat for:
- 13 threatened bird species
- 14 threatened mammal species
- 11 threatened reptile species
- 9 threatened amphibian species
- 1 threatened invertebrate species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2015 in EIU is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Habitat loss for threatened birds, mammals and amphibians accelerated between 2011 and 2015.
- At least 97% of pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates remained uncleared in 2015.
- Habitat loss for threatened invertebrates between 1997 and 2015 was minimal.
EIU land clearing between 1997 and 2015 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.
Gulf Plains
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 34 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Gulf Plains (GUP) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, GUP provided habitat for:
- 14 threatened bird species
- 10 threatened mammal species
- 8 threatened reptile species
- 2 threatened invertebrate species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2015 in GUP is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, and reptiles, with accelerated habitat loss for birds between 2013 and 2015.
- 99% of pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles remained intact in 2015.
- Habitat loss for threatened reptiles has been minimal since 2005.
- No threatened invertebrate habitat had been lost by 2015.
GUP land clearing between 1997 and 2015 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.
Mitchell Grass Downs
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 31 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
- 12 threatened mammal species
- 7 threatened reptile species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2015 in MGD is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, and reptiles.
- Habitat loss for threatened birds and mammals, having slowed after 2005, accelerated between 2013 and 2015.
- Habitat loss has slowed for threatened reptiles since 2006.
- More than half (55%) of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened reptiles was cleared by 2015, mostly in the east of the bioregion.
- Most of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds (99%) and mammals (95%) remained uncleared by 2015.
MGD land clearing between 1997 and 2015 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.
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 birds species
- 5 threatened mammal species
- 2 threatened reptile species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2015 in MUL is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals and reptiles.
- Habitat loss accelerated for threatened birds and mammals between 2013 and 2015.
- Habitat loss for all threatened fauna groups slowed from 2006 but accelerated for threatened birds and mammals between 2013 and 2015.
- 86% of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened mammals in MUL was remnant vegetation in 2015.
- Just over half (55%) of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened reptiles and three-quarters (74%) of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds remained uncleared by 2015.
MUL land clearing between 1997 and 2015 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.
New England Tableland
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 34 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
- 9 threatened mammal species
- 7 threatened reptile species
- 4 threatened amphibian species
- 2 threatened invertebrate species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2015 in NET is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and amphibians.
- Habitat loss accelerated for threatened birds, mammals and invertebrates between 2011 and 2015.
- Habitat loss accelerated for threatened reptiles and amphibians between 2013 and 2015.
- About two-thirds of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened mammals (64%), birds (63%) and reptiles (63%) was cleared by 2015.
- Almost three-quarters (72%) of the habitat for threatened invertebrates was cleared by 2015.
- Habitat loss for threatened amphibians has been minimal since 2007. About three-quarters (76%) of threatened amphibian habitat remained in 2015.
NET land clearing between 1997 and 2015 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.
Northwest Highlands
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 18 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the North West Highlands (NWH) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, NWH provided habitat for:
- 10 threatened bird species
- 7 threatened mammal species
- 1 threatened reptile species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2015 in NWH is one of ongoing loss for threatened birds and mammals.
- Habitat loss accelerated for both threatened birds and mammals between 2011 and 2015.
- The majority of habitat (≥99%) for threatened birds and mammals remained uncleared by 2015.
- Threatened reptile habitat remains uncleared relative to pre-clear modelling.
NWH land clearing between 1997 and 2015 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.
South East Queensland
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 60 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
- 13 threatened mammal species
- 11 threatened reptile species
- 13 threatened amphibian species
- 4 threatened invertebrate species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2015 in SEQ is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and amphibians.
- More than half of the pre-clearing habitat for threatened birds (56%), mammals (55%) and reptiles (56%) was cleared by 2015.
- Almost half of the habitat for threatened invertebrates (47%) and amphibians (45%) was cleared by 2015.
SEQ land clearing between 1997 and 2015 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.
Wet Tropics
Pre-clearing habitat extent for 58 currently threatened fauna species was modelled for the Wet Tropics (WET) bioregion. Prior to land clearing, WET provided habitat for:
- 14 threatened bird species
- 14 threatened mammal species
- 13 threatened reptile species
- 16 threatened amphibian species
- 1 threatened invertebrate species.
The trend in fauna habitat extent between 1997 and 2015 in WET is one of ongoing loss of habitat for threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and amphibians. Habitat loss accelerated for all threatened fauna groups between 2013 and 2015.
- Almost one-quarter of habitat for both threatened birds (24%) and mammals (24%) was cleared by 2015.
- One-third (33%) of habitat for threatened invertebrates was cleared by 2015.
- Habitat for threatened reptiles and amphibians remained largely uncleared (>85%) by 2015.
WET land clearing between 1997 and 2015 was primarily for pasture development 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.
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 2015. 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 10, 2016).