Fragmentation of remnant vegetation

Key Finding

In the most recent 2015–2017 period, the New England Tablelands has experienced the greatest patch density increase (13.4%) and greatest remnant core areas density loss (-2%). The Gulf Plains experienced the greatest increase in the frequency of edges (226), the Brigalow Belt the greatest increase in patches (316) and the Mulga Lands the greatest fragmentation of core areas into smaller core units (400). These examples demonstrate that fragmentation has many guises and they do not necessarily correlate with rates of clearing.

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Brigalow Belt
Cape York Peninsula
Central Queensland Coast
Channel Country
Desert Uplands
Einasleigh Uplands
Gulf Plains
Mitchell Grass Downs
Mulga Lands
New England Tableland
Northwest Highlands
Southeast Queensland
Wet Tropics

Bioregion (select locations to filter information)

Queensland

Landscape fragmentation ‘breaks up’ large areas of intact native vegetation, reducing ecological connectivity — the critical connection between ecosystems and habitats that allows wildlife to cross the landscape in search of food, shelter and suitable breeding sites. The opening up of surrounding areas can impact species survival through predation, exposure and decreased food availability.

The rate of remnant vegetation fragmentation, represented as changes in core, edge, and patch remnants across the landscape, was measured using the statewide regional ecosystem mapping time-series (biennial from 1997 to 2017).

The results show that although fragmentation has been increasing across Queensland, there was a notable decline in the rate of fragmentation for the period 2009 – 2011, from its historic peak between 1999 – 2003. From 2011 through to 2017, there has been another gradual increase in fragmentation, though not to the same extent as 1999 – 2003. This trend was not uniform across all bioregions and was generally more prevalent in the Brigalow Belt, Desert Uplands, Einasleigh Uplands, Mitchell Grass Downs, Mulga Lands and New England Tablelands.

For the period from 1997 to 2017, the percent change in patch, edge, and core areas was examined for overall trends in the rate of fragmentation across the state. The key trends include:

Across the state, the rate of patch fragmentation peaked between 1999 and 2001 (9%).
The peak period for the rate of edge creation (4.1%) and the break-up of core areas (4.5%) was between 2001 and 2003, though very similar to the 1999 to 2001 period (4.1% and 4.2%).
The period between 2009 and 2011 was a period with the slowest rate of core (0.2%), edge (0.4%) and patch creation (0.4%), however there has been a trend of increase from then, with 2013–2015 recording an increase in patches (3.6%) and the most recent 2015–2017 period recording the highest rate of edge (1.6%) and core creation (0.8%).

For the most recent 2015–2017 reporting period, density and frequency change was examined across Queensland bioregions to determine where fragmentation was most prevalent. It was found that:

New England Tablelands (NET) had the greatest increase in patch density (13.4 per 1,000km²).
Mulga Lands (MUL) had the greatest increase in both core density (3.5 per 1,000km²) and number of new core areas created (400).
Brigalow Belt (BRB) had the greatest number of patches created (316).
Gulf Plains (GUP) had the greatest number of edges created (226).

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Brigalow Belt

For the period from 1997 to 2017, the percent change in patch, edge, and core areas was examined for overall trends in the rate of fragmentation across the Brigalow Belt Bioregion (BRB). The key trends include:

The peak period for fragmentation in the BRB was between 1999 and 2001 (16% for patches, 3.1% for edges, and 4% for core).
The 2007 to 2013 period had comparatively low rates of fragmentation, with the lowest rate of patch (0.5%) and edge (0.1%) creation occurring in 2009–2011.
There has been a slight trend of increased patch and edge creation since 2013, with the highest rate occurring in the most recent 2015–2017 period (2.2% for patches and 0.5% for edges).

For the most recent 2015–2017 reporting period, density and frequency change was examined across sub-regions to determine where fragmentation was most prevalent. It was found that:

Most BRB sub-regions have experienced some level of fragmentation.
Narrandool had the greatest increase in the density of patches (88.4 per 1,000km²), edges (233.6 per 1,000km²) and core areas (285.5 per 1,000km²) compared to any other sub-region. This sub-region is relatively small in Queensland compared to others, but the magnitude of change in terms of density was significant.
Belyando Downs had the highest frequency of core (54) and edge creation (35) and the second highest number of patches created (25).
Isaac–Comet Downs had the highest number of patches created (26).
Moonie R.–Commoron Creek Floodout had the greatest loss in the number of core areas (-38), which means that 38 core areas were either removed completely, or converted to patches.
Beucazon Hills had no change in the frequency of patch, edge and core values.

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Cape York Peninsula

For the period from 1997 to 2017, the percent change in patch, edge, and core areas was examined for overall trends in the rate of fragmentation across the Cape York Peninsula Bioregion (CYP). The key trends include:

Cape York Peninsula (CYP) has experienced relatively consistent edge creation, peaking in 2003–2005 (9.8%) with the lowest level being in 2011–2013 (2.2%).
The percent increase in the number of patches created was also relatively consistent, peaking in 1999–2001 (7.2%) with the lowest percent increase occurring in 2015–2017 (1.5%).
For such a relatively intact bioregion, that main characteristic of fragmentation is the exposure and break up of large tracts of vegetation, exposing more edges.

For the most recent 2015–2017 reporting period, density and frequency change was examined across sub-regions to determine where fragmentation was most prevalent. It was found that:

Change over the 2015–2017 period is consistent with the historical trend of edge fragmentation being introduced into large core areas.
The Weipa Plateau sub-region had the highest overall number of edges (25) and core areas (8) created in the bioregion.
3 patches were created across the bioregion during this period.

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Central Queensland Coast

For the period from 1997 to 2017, the percent change in patch, edge, and core areas was examined for overall trends in the rate of fragmentation across the Central Queensland Coast Bioregion (CQC). The key trends include:

There has been a consistent trend of patch creation in the CQC across all years, with only 2009–2011 and 2013–2015 periods dropping below a 1% increase.
From 2011 onwards, the rate of increase in edge and core areas has remained relatively flat, however patch creation has remained on an upward trend.

For the most recent 2015–2017 reporting period, density and frequency change was examined across sub-regions to determine where fragmentation was most prevalent. It was found that:

Proserpine–Sarina Lowlands had the highest patch density (14.7 per 1,000km²) and number of patches created (21).
Debella had the highest density of edges created (6.2 per 1,000km²).
Clarke–Connors Ranges had the greatest increase in the number of edge (5) and core (6) areas, with a significant number of patches created — second overall in the sub-region (18).

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Channel Country

For the period from 1997 to 2017, the percent change in patch, edge, and core areas was examined for overall trends in the rate of fragmentation across the Channel Country Bioregion (CHC). The key trends include:

The peak period for the rate of patch creation in the CHC was 2005–2007 (116.7%).
The 2009–2011 period had the highest rate of core areas created (46.8%).
Since 2011 there has been comparatively minimal percentage change in all fragmentation classes across CHC.

For the most recent 2015–2017 reporting period, density and frequency change was examined across sub-regions to determine where fragmentation was most prevalent. It was found that:

8 out of the 13 CHC sub-regions experienced no change in fragmentation across core, edge and patch classes from the previous period.
2 patches and 1 core area were created across the bioregion.
Goneaway Tablelands was the only sub-region to experience an increase in the density of core and patch areas, though the actual frequency of change recorded was only 1 and 2 respectively.
Goneaway Tablelands also had the highest number of edges created (8).
Noccundra Slopes sub-region had the highest edge density increase (0.2 edges per 1,000km²).

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Desert Uplands

For the period from 1997 to 2017, the percent change in patch, edge, and core areas was examined for overall trends in the rate of fragmentation across the Desert Uplands Bioregion (DEU). The key trends include:

The 1999–2001 period recorded the largest incidence of patch (70%), edge (15.2%) and core fragmentation (22.9%).
Following 2001, the rate of fragmentation has steadily declined to a relatively low rate of increase for patches (0.1%), edges (0.5%) and core (less than 0.1%) up until 2007–2009.
The rate of fragmentation in DEU has increased slightly since 2013–2015.

For the most recent 2015–2017 reporting period, density and frequency change was examined across sub-regions to determine where fragmentation was most prevalent. It was found that:

In the 2015–2017 period, the Jericho sub-region experienced both the greatest density and number of fragmentation classes across all sub-regions (18 patches, 50 edges and 68 core areas).
The number of edges recorded across all other sub-regions ranged from 10 to 32, and for core from 16 to 36. This implies larger core area fragmentation is occurring across the bioregion.

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Einasleigh Uplands

For the period from 1997 to 2017, the percent change in patch, edge, and core areas was examined for overall trends in the rate of fragmentation across the Einasleigh Uplands Bioregion (EIU). The key trends include:

The EIU experienced the largest increase in the rate of patch fragmentation for the periods 1997–1999 (15.8%) and 1999–2001 (12.7%).
From 2001, there was a decline in fragmentation rates, with the period between 2007 and 2013 seeing patch and core increases of below 1%.
There has been slight increase in fragmentation for the 2013 to 2017 period, compared to 2007–2013, with an increase in patch creation (4.1% in 2013–2015), increase in the number of edges ( 2.5% in 2015–2017) and increase in core areas (2% in 2015–2017).

For the most recent 2015–2017 reporting period, density and frequency change was examined across sub-regions to determine where fragmentation was most prevalent. It was found that:

The greatest number and density of edges occurred in the Georgetown–Croydon sub-region with 25 created.
The Undara–Toomba Basalts sub-region experienced the highest fragmentation of core areas with 14 created.
Across most sub-regions, there was an increase in edges of 8 or more, except for the Herberton–Wairuna sub-region.

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Gulf Plains

For the period from 1997 to 2017, the percent change in patch, edge, and core areas was examined for overall trends in the rate of fragmentation across the Gulf Plains Bioregion (GUP). The key trends include:

The rate of patch creation in the GUP has increased significantly in both 2013–2015 (95.9%) and 2015–2017 (25.5%), for which no comparable rate existed prior to 1997–1999 (34.1%).
Comparatively minor fragmentation rates occurred between 2005 to 2013.
Both the 2013–2015 and 2015–2017 periods, saw the greatest increase in the rate of core areas created for all reporting periods (20.5% and 15.4% respectively).
Over most reporting years, excluding 2001–2003 and the period from 2005 to 2013, edge creation has been above 5%.

For the most recent 2015–2017 reporting period, density and frequency change was examined across sub-regions to determine where fragmentation was most prevalent. It was found that:

For the 2015–2017 period, the Donors Plateau sub-region experienced the greatest increase of patches and edges, both in terms of density (0.5 patches per 1,000km² and 4.2 edges per 1,000km²) and number (13 patches and 100 edges).
Holroyd Plain–Red Plateau sub-region had the greatest increase in core area density (1.5 per 1,000km²).
Mitchell–Gilbert Fans had the highest overall increase in the number of core areas (51).
Several sub-regions experienced little to no fragmentation increase including — Karumba Plains, Armraynald Plains, Doomadgee Plains, Gilberton Plateau, and Wellesley Islands.

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Mitchell Grass Downs

For the period from 1997 to 2017, the percent change in patch, edge, and core areas was examined for overall trends in the rate of fragmentation across the Mitchell Grasss Downs Bioregion (MGD). The key trends include:

Fragmentation in the MGD peaked during the 1999–2001 period including the creation of patches (49.7%), edges (14.8%) and core areas (16.7%).
There was a steady decline across all fragmentation classes until the 2009–2013 period.
From 2013, there has been an upward trend in fragmentation.

For the most recent 2015–2017 reporting period, density and frequency change was examined across sub-regions to determine where fragmentation was most prevalent. It was found that:

For the 2015–2017 period, Flinders sub-region experienced the greatest density of increase across fragmentation classes (4.3 patches per 1,000km², 13.6 edges per 1,000km², 5.1 core areas per 1,000km²).
Southern Wooded Downs sub-region had the greatest increase in both the number of patches (31) and core areas (69).
The Georgina Limestone sub-region and Barkly Tableland experienced no change.

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Mulga Lands

For the period from 1997 to 2017, the percent change in patch, edge, and core areas was examined for overall trends in the rate of fragmentation across the Mulga Lands Bioregion (MUL). The key trends include:

Fragmentation in the MUL bioregion peaked across all classes in the 2001–2003 period (56.7% increase in patches, 21.3% increase in edges and 24.9% increase in the number of core areas), with significant rates of patch creation occurring from 1997 through to 2005.
Fragmentation declined to historic lows in the period 2009–2011 (0.6% increase in patches, 0.2% increase in edges and 0.4% increase in core areas) and has been rising slightly in recent years.

For the most recent 2015–2017 reporting period, density and frequency change was examined across sub-regions to determine where fragmentation was most prevalent. It was found that:

Most sub-regions experienced some level of fragmentation over the 2015–2017 period.
The North Eastern Plains sub-region had the greatest increase in patch density (10.4 per 1,000km²), edge density (25.3 per 1,000km²) and core density (30.1 per 1,000km²).
The Urisino Sandplains sub-region experienced the greatest number (188) of core areas created.
The West Balonne Plains sub-region experienced the greatest number (34) of patches created. The West Warrego sub-region had the greatest number of edges created overall (65).

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New England Tableland

For the period from 1997 to 2017, the percent change in patch, edge, and core areas was examined for overall trends in the rate of fragmentation across the New England Tablelands Bioregion (NET). The key trends include:

The NET experienced a peak in the rate of patch creation in the 1997–1999 period (4.6%), with the rate also being high in the 1999–2001 period (4%).
There was a steep decline in fragmentation from 2001 through to 2009, culminating in a hiatus during the 2009–2011 period.
The rate of patch creation has increased substantially since the 2009–2011 period (1.7% for 2011–2013, 2.3% for 2013–2015 and 4% for 2015–2017).
The rate of core fragmentation has remained flat since 1999, however there has been a trend of core loss since the 2011–2013 period and a record increase in the number of edges in 2013–2015 (0.6%).

For the most recent 2015–2017 reporting period, density and frequency change was examined across sub-regions to determine where fragmentation was most prevalent. It was found that:

The Nandewar Northern Complex sub-region experienced the greatest increase in patch density (16.9 per 1,000km²) and patch count (32), as well as a decline in the number and density of edges and core areas.
Stanthorpe Plateau sub-region has had a comparatively minor increase in fragmentation with 3 patches, 4 edges and 1 core area created.
Tenterfield Plateau sub-region had no change over the 2015–2017 period.

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Northwest Highlands

For the period from 1997 to 2017, the percent change in patch, edge, and core areas was examined for overall trends in the rate of fragmentation across the North-West Highlands Bioregion (NWH). The key trends include:

The peak period for fragmentation in NWH occurred in 1997–1999 for all classes (128.6% patch, 17.9% edge, and 33.3% core area increase).
From 1999 onwards the rate of fragmentation has been steady, characterised by slight increases in edge effects and the break up of larger core areas.

For the most recent 2015–2017 reporting period, density and frequency change was examined across sub-regions to determine where fragmentation was most prevalent. It was found that:

Fragmentation has been confined to the Mount Isa Inlier sub-region, with 15 edges and 4 core areas created.
No other sub-regions experienced fragmentation over the reporting period.

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Southeast Queensland

For the period from 1997 to 2017, the percent change in patch, edge, and core areas was examined for overall trends in the rate of fragmentation across the Southeast Queensland Bioregion (SEQ). The key trends include:

The rate of fragmentation in SEQ, measured as increases in the frequency of edges and patches, has been steadily above 1% for all bar the 2009–2011 and 2015–2017 period.
The 2011 to 2015 period saw the highest increase in patch creation, with rates of 3.5% and 5.9% respectfully. This reduced to 0.3% in 2015–2017, amounting to 76 patches created across the bioregion.

For the most recent 2015–2017 reporting period, density and frequency change was examined across sub-regions to determine where fragmentation was most prevalent. It was found that:

2 patches were created within the Woodenbong sub-region. The reported patch density increase of 509.7 per 1,000km², however this has been over inflated by the artificially small size of this sub-region, which straddles the Queensland/NSW border.
Core areas were removed across several sub-regions. Biggest losses were in Burringbar–Conondale Ranges (20), Sunshine Coast–Gold Coast Lowlands (14) and Gympie Block sub-region (19).
The Burnett–Curtis Hills and Ranges sub-region saw the greatest number of patches (19) and edges (30) created.
Great Sandy sub-region and the Southern Great Barrier Reef sub-region were the exceptions, seeing no change over the period.

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Wet Tropics

For the period from 1997 to 2017, the percent change in patch, edge, and core areas was examined for overall trends in the rate of fragmentation across the Wet Tropics Bioregion (WET). The key trends include:

The period from 1999–2001 saw the greatest loss of core areas (-0.5%) and associated edges (-0.6%).
The period 2005–2007 saw the greatest percentage increase in patches (1.2%) and core areas (0.9%).

For the most recent 2015–2017 reporting period, density and frequency change was examined across sub-regions to determine where fragmentation was most prevalent. It was found that:

The Tully sub-region saw the greatest increase in patch density (8.9 per 1,000km²) and number of patches (5). Tully also had the largest increase in core density (16.7 per 1,000km²).
The Herbert sub-region saw declines across all fragmentation classes (-2 patches, -1 edge and -6 core areas).
The Macalister sub-region experienced an increase in both core and edge density (4.4 per 1,000km² for both).

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Relevant Sustainable Development Goals’ targets

Percent change in the number of fragmentation classes from previous reporting period

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Year	Patch value (%)	Edge value (%)	Core value (%)
1997 to 1999	5.5703	1.7868	1.8265
1999 to 2001	8.9964	4.1112	4.2197
2001 to 2003	5.9642	4.1155	4.4645
2003 to 2005	4.5088	2.4444	2.6984
2005 to 2007	3.1349	2.6290	2.1298
2007 to 2009	1.2127	0.7924	0.3274
2009 to 2011	0.3844	0.4300	0.2314
2011 to 2013	1.9556	0.5599	0.3442
2013 to 2015	3.6111	1.1420	0.6532
2015 to 2017	1.4151	1.1539	0.7587

Density change of fragmentation classes per 1000km² by region, 2015 to 2017

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Bioregion	Patch value (Count)	Edge value (Count)	Core value (Count)
Brigalow Belt	2.52	2.41	2.45
Channel Country	0.01	0.09	0.00
Central Queensland Coast	4.90	1.63	1.39
Cape York Peninsula	0.03	0.48	0.09
Desert Uplands	0.41	2.35	2.68
Einasleigh Uplands	0.05	0.69	0.26
Gulf Plains	0.17	1.05	0.53
Mitchell Grass Downs	0.27	0.58	0.60
Mulga Lands	1.35	1.85	3.46
New England Tableland	13.36	-0.28	-2.05
Northwest Highlands	0.00	0.21	0.05
Southeast Queensland	3.81	1.58	-0.11
Wet Tropics	0.30	-0.08	0.49

Change in the number of fragmentation classes by region, 2015 to 2017

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Bioregion	Patch value (Count per 1000km²)	Edge value (Count per 1000km²)	Core value (Count per 1000km²)
Brigalow Belt	316	201	101
Channel Country	2	20	1
Central Queensland Coast	47	11	9
Cape York Peninsula	3	58	11
Desert Uplands	20	121	139
Einasleigh Uplands	6	77	29
Gulf Plains	37	226	113
Mitchell Grass Downs	60	128	133
Mulga Lands	163	197	400
New England Tableland	35	-7	-16
Northwest Highlands	0	15	4
Southeast Queensland	76	24	-25
Wet Tropics	4	-2	7

Percent change in the number of fragmentation classes from previous reporting period in Brigalow Belt

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Year	Patch value (%)	Edge value (%)	Core value (%)
1997 to 1999	11.79	1.05	1.57
1999 to 2001	15.97	3.07	3.97
2001 to 2003	5.88	2.36	2.07
2003 to 2005	3.92	1.28	1.45
2005 to 2007	2.89	1.61	1.26
2007 to 2009	0.95	0.16	0.12
2009 to 2011	0.54	0.10	0.13
2011 to 2013	0.63	0.29	0.20
2013 to 2015	1.27	0.24	0.23
2015 to 2017	2.16	0.54	0.16

Density change of fragmentation classes per 1000km² in Brigalow Belt, 2015 to 2017

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Subregion	Patch value (Count)	Edge value (Count)	Core value (Count)
Anakie Inlier	3.94	11.96	10.45
Arcadia	2.58	-1.44	-1.84
Banana–Auburn Ranges	5.44	3.29	4.62
Barakula	0.79	0.77	0.29
Basalt Downs	0.74	2.30	0.64
Belyando Downs	9.78	17.76	28.81
Beucazon Hills	0.00	0.01	0.01
Bogie River Hills	0.98	0.69	0.82
Boomer Range	-1.03	-3.04	0.17
Buckland Basalts	0.81	0.44	0.85
Callide Creek Downs	11.59	5.92	4.60
Cape River Hills	0.00	0.34	0.65
Carnarvon Ranges	1.19	0.51	0.33
Claude River Downs	0.06	4.07	5.92
Culgoa–Bokhara	-4.78	-3.00	-0.62
Dawson River Downs	4.06	1.66	-8.62
Dulacca Downs	-1.62	18.16	12.81
Eastern Darling Downs	9.93	6.45	4.49
Inglewood Sandstones	1.30	2.55	1.82
Isaac–Comet Downs	5.54	4.94	7.37
Macintyre–Weir Fan	27.43	-6.70	9.60
Marlborough Plains	2.14	0.74	3.28
Moonie–Barwon Interfluve	32.56	5.04	16.16
Moonie R.–Commoron Creek Floodout	12.51	5.97	-29.38
Mount Morgan Ranges	5.15	5.28	2.80
Narrandool	88.39	233.63	285.46
Nebo–Connors Ranges	0.44	3.53	1.47
Northern Bowen Basin	2.24	0.97	1.95
South Drummond Basin	3.70	-2.18	6.03
Southern Downs	1.92	3.69	3.16
Tara Downs	41.17	33.36	48.31
Taroom Downs	4.09	-3.40	-4.42
Townsville Plains	0.45	0.91	0.75
Upper Belyando Floodout	4.93	22.44	13.38
Warrambool–Moonie	21.16	20.18	25.35
Weribone High	7.97	2.89	6.67
Woorabinda	0.60	-0.14	-0.32
Wyarra Hills	-0.85	-0.55	-0.56

Change in the number of fragmentation classes in Brigalow Belt, 2015 to 2017

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Subregion	Patch value (Count per 1000km²)	Edge value (Count per 1000km²)	Core value (Count per 1000km²)
Anakie Inlier	9	27	22
Arcadia	9	-6	-8
Banana–Auburn Ranges	23	5	6
Barakula	5	3	-1
Basalt Downs	3	8	-3
Belyando Downs	25	35	54
Beucazon Hills	0	0	0
Bogie River Hills	8	5	6
Boomer Range	-1	-3	0
Buckland Basalts	2	1	2
Callide Creek Downs	3	1	0
Cape River Hills	0	2	4
Carnarvon Ranges	22	6	3
Claude River Downs	-1	18	26
Culgoa–Bokhara	-8	-7	-7
Dawson River Downs	3	0	-11
Dulacca Downs	-1	3	1
Eastern Darling Downs	20	8	-3
Inglewood Sandstones	9	17	11
Isaac–Comet Downs	26	13	11
Macintyre–Weir Fan	6	-10	-22
Marlborough Plains	12	1	15
Moonie–Barwon Interfluve	16	-8	-9
Moonie R.–Commoron Creek Floodout	12	3	-38
Mount Morgan Ranges	20	19	7
Narrandool	4	9	11
Nebo–Connors Ranges	1	9	3
Northern Bowen Basin	16	3	9
South Drummond Basin	13	-16	13
Southern Downs	15	29	2
Tara Downs	5	1	-3
Taroom Downs	1	-3	-5
Townsville Plains	2	4	3
Upper Belyando Floodout	3	16	-3
Warrambool–Moonie	17	9	4
Weribone High	17	2	5
Woorabinda	3	-1	-2
Wyarra Hills	-3	-2	-2

Percent change in the number of fragmentation classes from previous reporting period in Channel Country

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Year	Patch value (%)	Edge value (%)	Core value (%)
1997 to 1999	0.00	6.85	0.00
1999 to 2001	50.00	8.75	5.88
2001 to 2003	100.00	10.19	13.33
2003 to 2005	0.00	10.46	8.82
2005 to 2007	116.67	10.13	33.33
2007 to 2009	0.00	5.00	5.41
2009 to 2011	11.54	5.71	46.79
2011 to 2013	3.45	5.59	-0.44
2013 to 2015	3.33	4.44	0.88
2015 to 2017	6.45	3.27	0.43

Density change of fragmentation classes per 1000km² in Channel Country, 2015 to 2017

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Subregion	Patch value (Count)	Edge value (Count)	Core value (Count)
Bulloo	0.00	0.00	0.00
Bulloo Dunefields	0.00	0.09	0.00
Coongie	0.00	0.00	0.00
Cooper–Diamantina Plains	0.00	0.09	0.00
Dieri	0.00	0.00	0.00
Georgina–Eyre Plains	0.00	0.00	0.00
Goneaway Tableland	0.04	0.16	0.02
Lake Pure	0.00	0.00	0.00
Noccundra Slopes	0.00	0.17	0.00
Simpson Desert	0.00	0.00	0.00
Strzelecki Desert	0.00	0.00	0.00
Sturt Stony Desert	0.00	0.09	0.00
Toko Plains	0.00	0.00	0.00

Change in the number of fragmentation classes in Channel Country, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count per 1000km²)	Edge value (Count per 1000km²)	Core value (Count per 1000km²)
Bulloo	0	0	0
Bulloo Dunefields	0	1	0
Coongie	0	0	0
Cooper–Diamantina Plains	0	3	0
Dieri	0	0	0
Georgina–Eyre Plains	0	0	0
Goneaway Tableland	2	8	1
Lake Pure	0	0	0
Noccundra Slopes	0	3	0
Simpson Desert	0	0	0
Strzelecki Desert	0	0	0
Sturt Stony Desert	0	5	0
Toko Plains	0	0	0

Percent change in the number of fragmentation classes from previous reporting period in Central Queensland Coast

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Year	Patch value (%)	Edge value (%)	Core value (%)
1997 to 1999	2.66	0.75	0.56
1999 to 2001	7.55	1.80	0.40
2001 to 2003	2.41	0.47	0.16
2003 to 2005	4.92	2.93	0.13
2005 to 2007	3.56	1.59	1.08
2007 to 2009	3.44	1.02	0.68
2009 to 2011	0.37	0.12	0.03
2011 to 2013	1.66	0.12	-0.10
2013 to 2015	0.54	-0.36	0.29
2015 to 2017	2.82	0.33	0.29

Density change of fragmentation classes per 1000km² in Central Queensland Coast, 2015 to 2017

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Subregion	Patch value (Count)	Edge value (Count)	Core value (Count)
Byfield	-0.84	0.01	0.01
Clarke–Connors Ranges	3.45	1.39	1.37
Debella	11.55	6.20	-3.02
Manifold	1.60	-3.08	3.28
Proserpine–Sarina Lowlands	14.68	4.41	4.64
Whitsunday	2.44	1.25	-1.18

Change in the number of fragmentation classes in Central Queensland Coast, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count per 1000km²)	Edge value (Count per 1000km²)	Core value (Count per 1000km²)
Byfield	-1	0	0
Clarke–Connors Ranges	18	5	6
Debella	6	3	-2
Manifold	1	-2	2
Proserpine–Sarina Lowlands	21	4	4
Whitsunday	2	1	-1

Percent change in the number of fragmentation classes from previous reporting period in Cape York Peninsula

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Year	Patch value (%)	Edge value (%)	Core value (%)
1997 to 1999	3.40	5.76	1.32
1999 to 2001	7.24	6.07	2.50
2001 to 2003	3.07	3.52	0.74
2003 to 2005	4.76	9.77	0.74
2005 to 2007	4.55	9.03	1.57
2007 to 2009	0.00	7.10	0.51
2009 to 2011	2.72	4.97	1.53
2011 to 2013	3.17	2.21	0.40
2013 to 2015	2.05	2.99	0.20
2015 to 2017	1.51	5.80	1.10

Density change of fragmentation classes per 1000km² in Cape York Peninsula, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count)	Edge value (Count)	Core value (Count)
Battle Camp Sandstones	0.00	0.00	0.00
Cape York–Torres Strait	0.00	0.93	0.00
Coastal Plains	0.00	0.00	0.00
Coen–Yambo Inlier	0.04	0.65	0.00
Jardine–Pascoe Sandstones	0.07	0.00	0.00
Laura Lowlands	0.00	0.56	0.06
Northern Holroyd Plain	0.00	0.16	0.00
Starke Coastal Lowlands	0.20	0.61	0.41
Weipa Plateau	0.00	0.90	0.29

Change in the number of fragmentation classes in Cape York Peninsula, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count per 1000km²)	Edge value (Count per 1000km²)	Core value (Count per 1000km²)
Battle Camp Sandstones	0	0	0
Cape York–Torres Strait	0	1	0
Coastal Plains	0	0	0
Coen–Yambo Inlier	1	15	0
Jardine–Pascoe Sandstones	1	0	0
Laura Lowlands	0	10	1
Northern Holroyd Plain	0	4	0
Starke Coastal Lowlands	1	3	2
Weipa Plateau	0	25	8

Percent change in the number of fragmentation classes from previous reporting period in Desert Uplands

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Year	Patch value (%)	Edge value (%)	Core value (%)
1997 to 1999	34.27	11.18	17.61
1999 to 2001	69.97	15.19	22.86
2001 to 2003	25.27	5.40	14.45
2003 to 2005	7.90	3.20	8.07
2005 to 2007	2.75	2.83	4.57
2007 to 2009	0.13	0.49	0.03
2009 to 2011	0.76	0.87	0.41
2011 to 2013	0.25	0.45	0.47
2013 to 2015	1.01	0.89	1.11
2015 to 2017	2.49	3.82	4.25

Density change of fragmentation classes per 1000km² in Desert Uplands, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count)	Edge value (Count)	Core value (Count)
Alice Tableland	-0.03	1.16	0.65
Cape–Campaspe Plains	0.25	1.29	2.39
Jericho	2.73	7.68	10.46
Prairie–Torrens Creeks Alluvials	0.10	2.50	2.77

Change in the number of fragmentation classes in Desert Uplands, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count per 1000km²)	Edge value (Count per 1000km²)	Core value (Count per 1000km²)
Alice Tableland	-1	29	16
Cape–Campaspe Plains	2	10	19
Jericho	18	50	68
Prairie–Torrens Creeks Alluvials	1	32	36

Percent change in the number of fragmentation classes from previous reporting period in Einasleigh Uplands

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Year	Patch value (%)	Edge value (%)	Core value (%)
1997 to 1999	15.81	3.87	2.70
1999 to 2001	12.70	5.52	3.87
2001 to 2003	1.69	2.47	0.30
2003 to 2005	1.39	4.29	2.30
2005 to 2007	4.10	3.51	3.05
2007 to 2009	-0.26	1.61	0.49
2009 to 2011	0.79	1.79	0.07
2011 to 2013	0.78	0.60	0.14
2013 to 2015	4.15	1.15	0.49
2015 to 2017	1.49	2.51	2.02

Density change of fragmentation classes per 1000km² in Einasleigh Uplands, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count)	Edge value (Count)	Core value (Count)
Broken River	0.03	0.45	-0.03
Georgetown–Croydon	0.10	2.41	0.19
Herberton–Wairuna	0.32	0.40	-0.28
Hodgkinson Basin	0.09	0.60	0.33
Kidston	0.00	0.38	0.41
Undara–Toomba Basalts	0.05	0.84	0.68

Change in the number of fragmentation classes in Einasleigh Uplands, 2015 to 2017

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Subregion	Patch value (Count per 1000km²)	Edge value (Count per 1000km²)	Core value (Count per 1000km²)
Broken River	1	14	-1
Georgetown–Croydon	1	25	2
Herberton–Wairuna	2	2	-2
Hodgkinson Basin	1	8	4
Kidston	0	11	12
Undara–Toomba Basalts	1	17	14

Percent change in the number of fragmentation classes from previous reporting period in Gulf Plains

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Year	Patch value (%)	Edge value (%)	Core value (%)
1997 to 1999	34.15	14.06	8.22
1999 to 2001	1.82	17.53	9.54
2001 to 2003	5.36	4.76	2.18
2003 to 2005	11.86	14.65	14.53
2005 to 2007	0.00	3.69	0.68
2007 to 2009	3.03	1.91	0.50
2009 to 2011	5.88	2.98	0.50
2011 to 2013	2.78	1.41	1.50
2013 to 2015	95.95	8.24	20.49
2015 to 2017	25.52	17.03	15.37

Density change of fragmentation classes per 1000km² in Gulf Plains, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count)	Edge value (Count)	Core value (Count)
Armraynald Plains	0.00	0.06	0.00
Claraville Plains	0.05	0.30	0.03
Donors Plateau	0.55	4.24	0.99
Doomadgee Plains	0.00	0.06	0.00
Gilberton Plateau	0.00	0.21	0.00
Holroyd Plain–Red Plateau	0.41	1.98	1.47
Karumba Plains	0.00	0.00	0.00
Mitchell–Gilbert Fans	0.22	0.59	0.99
Wellesley Islands	0.00	0.00	0.00
Woondoola Plains	0.08	1.57	0.25

Change in the number of fragmentation classes in Gulf Plains, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count per 1000km²)	Edge value (Count per 1000km²)	Core value (Count per 1000km²)
Armraynald Plains	0	1	0
Claraville Plains	2	11	1
Donors Plateau	13	100	23
Doomadgee Plains	0	1	0
Gilberton Plateau	0	3	0
Holroyd Plain–Red Plateau	9	43	32
Karumba Plains	0	0	0
Mitchell–Gilbert Fans	11	30	51
Wellesley Islands	0	0	0
Woondoola Plains	2	37	6

Percent change in the number of fragmentation classes from previous reporting period in Mitchell Grass Downs

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Year	Patch value (%)	Edge value (%)	Core value (%)
1997 to 1999	13.58	3.33	8.78
1999 to 2001	49.69	14.76	16.70
2001 to 2003	9.37	3.29	7.14
2003 to 2005	7.68	4.22	6.00
2005 to 2007	3.98	3.55	3.17
2007 to 2009	1.12	1.37	0.44
2009 to 2011	1.00	1.14	0.85
2011 to 2013	0.33	0.40	0.30
2013 to 2015	5.27	2.63	2.97
2015 to 2017	6.26	2.91	3.49

Density change of fragmentation classes per 1000km² in Mitchell Grass Downs, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count)	Edge value (Count)	Core value (Count)
Barkly Tableland	0.00	0.00	0.00
Central Downs	0.12	0.10	0.36
Flinders	4.33	13.59	5.12
Georgina Limestone	0.00	0.00	0.00
Kynuna Plateau	0.00	0.75	0.18
Southern Wooded Downs	0.95	1.41	2.19
Southwestern Downs	0.00	0.14	0.16

Change in the number of fragmentation classes in Mitchell Grass Downs, 2015 to 2017

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Subregion	Patch value (Count per 1000km²)	Edge value (Count per 1000km²)	Core value (Count per 1000km²)
Barkly Tableland	0	0	0
Central Downs	11	9	33
Flinders	18	56	21
Georgina Limestone	0	0	0
Kynuna Plateau	0	17	4
Southern Wooded Downs	31	41	69
Southwestern Downs	0	5	6

Percent change in the number of fragmentation classes from previous reporting period in Mulga Lands

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Year	Patch value (%)	Edge value (%)	Core value (%)
1997 to 1999	20.50	3.06	2.12
1999 to 2001	53.99	9.90	10.25
2001 to 2003	56.68	21.33	24.92
2003 to 2005	29.96	5.89	11.02
2005 to 2007	10.87	7.84	7.64
2007 to 2009	1.54	1.02	1.31
2009 to 2011	0.63	0.25	0.38
2011 to 2013	1.38	1.18	1.20
2013 to 2015	2.70	2.17	1.55
2015 to 2017	2.95	1.43	2.18

Density change of fragmentation classes per 1000km² in Mulga Lands, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count)	Edge value (Count)	Core value (Count)
Cuttaburra–Paroo	-0.16	0.05	7.22
Eastern Mulga Plains	8.36	7.25	6.84
Langlo Plains	4.62	4.94	11.42
Nebine Plains	0.91	1.90	2.89
North Eastern Plains	10.43	25.26	30.07
Northern Uplands	0.65	0.48	-0.26
Urisino Sandplains	0.54	2.70	23.28
Warrego Plains	0.11	0.55	0.70
West Balonne Plains	10.19	3.97	4.14
West Bulloo	0.61	0.78	0.83
West Warrego	0.78	1.84	1.45

Change in the number of fragmentation classes in Mulga Lands, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count per 1000km²)	Edge value (Count per 1000km²)	Core value (Count per 1000km²)
Cuttaburra–Paroo	-1	0	44
Eastern Mulga Plains	32	14	-7
Langlo Plains	24	13	51
Nebine Plains	5	8	14
North Eastern Plains	10	36	31
Northern Uplands	7	5	-3
Urisino Sandplains	4	20	188
Warrego Plains	2	10	13
West Balonne Plains	34	5	-5
West Bulloo	17	21	23
West Warrego	29	65	51

Percent change in the number of fragmentation classes from previous reporting period in New England Tableland

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Year	Patch value (%)	Edge value (%)	Core value (%)
1997 to 1999	4.63	0.41	0.38
1999 to 2001	4.04	-0.18	0.03
2001 to 2003	1.75	0.05	0.08
2003 to 2005	1.60	0.14	0.13
2005 to 2007	1.21	0.32	-0.11
2007 to 2009	0.48	0.00	-0.11
2009 to 2011	-0.12	0.18	0.14
2011 to 2013	1.67	0.05	-0.94
2013 to 2015	2.34	0.64	-0.35
2015 to 2017	4.01	-0.32	-0.44

Density change of fragmentation classes per 1000km² in New England Tableland, 2015 to 2017

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Subregion	Patch value (Count)	Edge value (Count)	Core value (Count)
Nandewar Northern Complex	16.94	-2.51	-3.36
Stanthorpe Plateau	4.31	6.09	2.34
Tenterfield Plateau	0.00	0.00	0.00

Change in the number of fragmentation classes in New England Tableland, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count per 1000km²)	Edge value (Count per 1000km²)	Core value (Count per 1000km²)
Nandewar Northern Complex	32	-11	-17
Stanthorpe Plateau	3	4	1
Tenterfield Plateau	0	0	0

Percent change in the number of fragmentation classes from previous reporting period in Northwest Highlands

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Year	Patch value (%)	Edge value (%)	Core value (%)
1997 to 1999	128.57	17.86	33.33
1999 to 2001	18.75	5.30	7.35
2001 to 2003	21.05	6.47	13.70
2003 to 2005	-8.70	12.16	2.41
2005 to 2007	0.00	6.02	0.00
2007 to 2009	9.52	-1.70	-4.71
2009 to 2011	4.35	0.00	-2.47
2011 to 2013	-4.17	4.62	12.66
2013 to 2015	0.00	8.29	-2.25
2015 to 2017	0.00	7.65	4.60

Density change of fragmentation classes per 1000km² in Northwest Highlands, 2015 to 2017

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Subregion	Edge value (Count)	Core value (Count)
McArthur	0.00	0.00
Mount Isa Inlier	0.33	0.09
Southwestern Plateaus & Floodouts	0.00	0.00
Thorntonia	0.00	0.00

Change in the number of fragmentation classes in Northwest Highlands, 2015 to 2017

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Subregion	Edge value (Count per 1000km²)	Core value (Count per 1000km²)
McArthur	0	0
Mount Isa Inlier	15	4
Southwestern Plateaus & Floodouts	0	0
Thorntonia	0	0

Percent change in the number of fragmentation classes from previous reporting period in Southeast Queensland

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Table

Year	Patch value (%)	Edge value (%)	Core value (%)
1997 to 1999	2.14	0.82	0.60
1999 to 2001	2.06	0.89	-0.03
2001 to 2003	1.45	0.31	0.01
2003 to 2005	1.39	1.34	-0.10
2005 to 2007	1.97	1.28	0.19
2007 to 2009	1.41	1.65	0.15
2009 to 2011	0.13	0.25	-0.08
2011 to 2013	3.47	0.74	0.36
2013 to 2015	5.86	1.88	0.38
2015 to 2017	0.31	0.15	-0.13

Density change of fragmentation classes per 1000km² in Southeast Queensland, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count)	Edge value (Count)	Core value (Count)
Brisbane–Barambah Volcanics	1.78	3.72	5.95
Burnett–Curtis Coastal Lowlands	1.50	3.67	5.14
Burnett–Curtis Hills and Ranges	3.22	4.99	0.04
Burringbar–Conondale Ranges	6.13	-4.21	-6.77
Great Sandy	0.00	0.00	0.00
Gympie Block	3.56	1.17	-1.42
Moreton Basin	14.72	3.62	4.47
Scenic Rim	0.62	-1.41	-1.40
South Burnett	2.63	0.51	-0.91
Southern Great Barrier Reef	0.00	0.00	0.00
Sunshine Coast–Gold Coast Lowlands	16.59	-3.79	-9.02
Woodenbong	509.73	34.17	64.92

Change in the number of fragmentation classes in Southeast Queensland, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count per 1000km²)	Edge value (Count per 1000km²)	Core value (Count per 1000km²)
Brisbane–Barambah Volcanics	3	8	13
Burnett–Curtis Coastal Lowlands	1	9	13
Burnett–Curtis Hills and Ranges	19	30	-2
Burringbar–Conondale Ranges	8	-14	-20
Great Sandy	0	0	0
Gympie Block	9	1	-9
Moreton Basin	16	0	0
Scenic Rim	1	-2	-2
South Burnett	1	-1	-4
Southern Great Barrier Reef	0	0	0
Sunshine Coast–Gold Coast Lowlands	16	-7	-14
Woodenbong	2	0	0

Percent change in the number of fragmentation classes from previous reporting period in Wet Tropics

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Table

Year	Patch value (%)	Edge value (%)	Core value (%)
1997 to 1999	0.98	0.12	-0.06
1999 to 2001	1.09	-0.56	-0.47
2001 to 2003	0.43	0.26	0.53
2003 to 2005	0.13	0.12	-0.03
2005 to 2007	1.18	0.22	0.93
2007 to 2009	0.40	0.03	0.00
2009 to 2011	0.48	0.58	0.03
2011 to 2013	0.24	-0.07	-0.28
2013 to 2015	0.72	0.20	0.15
2015 to 2017	0.09	-0.03	0.22

Density change of fragmentation classes per 1000km² in Wet Tropics, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count)	Edge value (Count)	Core value (Count)
Atherton	0.13	-1.00	0.09
Bellenden Ker–Lamb	0.00	-0.79	0.00
Daintree–Bloomfield	0.31	0.31	-0.29
Herbert	-1.40	-0.50	-5.30
Innisfail	-2.28	0.25	-1.12
Kirrama–Hinchinbrook	0.00	-1.44	0.72
Macalister	1.14	4.42	4.39
Paluma–Seaview	0.44	0.44	-0.43
Tully	8.88	0.78	16.69

Change in the number of fragmentation classes in Wet Tropics, 2015 to 2017

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Table

Subregion	Patch value (Count per 1000km²)	Edge value (Count per 1000km²)	Core value (Count per 1000km²)
Atherton	0	-1	0
Bellenden Ker–Lamb	0	-2	0
Daintree–Bloomfield	1	1	-1
Herbert	-2	-1	-6
Innisfail	-2	0	-1
Kirrama–Hinchinbrook	0	-4	2
Macalister	1	4	4
Paluma–Seaview	1	1	-1
Tully	5	0	10

Download data from Queensland Government Open Data Portal

Metadata

The statistics are derived from a landscape fragmentation analysis of the Queensland regional ecosystem remnant cover time-series (1997 to 2017) for each bioregion and sub-region. The analysis is similar to the Landscape Fragmentation and Connectivity (LFC) Tool developed to test for Significant Residual Impact on Connectivity Areas under the Environmental Offsets Framework.

Last updated: 03 September 2021