BURDEKIN DRY TROPICS NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2016-2026
68 woodlands and grasslands, through to dry coastal areas with open dry forests, rainforests, vine thickets, sedgelands, swamps, coastal dune communities and mangroves. Species that dominate vegetation communities in our region include Eucalypt and Corymbia( Ironbark, Poplar Gum, Moreton Bay Ash, Blue Gum, Bloodwood and Swamp Mahogany), Acacia( Brigalow, Gidgee), Grevillea( Beefwood), Casuarina( Sheoak), Melaleuca( Tea trees), rainforest trees and mangroves.
Biodiversity values associated with this habitat diversity include recognised centres of species richness and endemism for birds(> 300 species), mammals(> 70 species), reptiles, amphibians, eucalypts and acacias( Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, 2016). Areas in the Brigalow Belt, Desert Uplands and the Einasleigh Uplands bioregions are identified as National Biodiversity Hotspots as discussed in the Flora and Fauna Species Diversity of this section.
and refugia for native species, and protecting threatened or poorly represented ecosystems. Scientists have identified that to address climate change, land acquisitions and conservation agreements should be focused in areas resilient to changes such as valleys or elevated areas where animals could survive projected warming( Reside, et al., 2013).
The relatively small proportion of native habitat conserved in National Parks and other reserves in our region( approx. six per cent) highlights the important role that landholders and the community play in protecting, maintaining and restoring the diversity, extent and condition of our region’ s plants, animals and ecosystems. The previous sections highlight strategies to promote and support the community and land managers to restore or maintain the long-term health of our region’ s natural resources.
Figure 17- Vegetation biodiversity status
Intact ecosystems provide our region and community with resilience in the face of extreme events such as droughts and cyclones. The impact of a rapidly warming climate( Part B – Climate Change) on the region’ s ecosystems and on species’ ability to adapt, increases the urgency for governments, communities and land managers to commit to sustainably manage land for protection of species and ecosystem biodiversity.
The Nature Refuges program is an example of collaboration between government and land holders to manage land for long-term biodiversity outcomes, including providing habitat for threatened species, movement corridors
Figure 18- High biodiversity areas and habitat corridors
BIODIVERSITY