Nature

SEQ has one the richest diversities of animal and plant species in Australia, thanks to the vegetation communities

• More than 4,000 plant and 800 vertebrate species are found in the region.
• Hundreds of threatened and migratory species depend on the extent and connectivity of natural areas for their survival.
• Vegetation cover and wetlands buffer the region from climate extremes such as heatwaves and storm surges, protect water quality, filter pollutants from the air and sequester carbon.
• Forests and bushland areas are also favoured sites for culture and recreation.

The provision of all ecosystem services relies on supporting these habitats.

Nature targets

The region has one of the richest diversities of animal and plant species in Australia.

About 4000 plant species and 800 freshwater and terrestrial vertebrate species are distributed across the wide range of vegetation types and environments of SEQ. The provision of all ecosystem services relies on supporting these habitats.

Headline target

• By 2031, the extent of regional vegetation cover, including remnant vegetation (35%) and additional non-remnant woody vegetation (22%) will be maintained or increased.

• By 2031, the 2008 extent and condition of SEQ wetlands will be maintained or increased.

Summary of asset targets

• Remnant and Woody Vegetation
  The 2001 extent of regional vegetation cover – including both remnant vegetation (35%) and additional non-remnant woody vegetation (22%) – will be maintained or increased.
• Vegetation Fragmentation and Connectivity
  There will be no net fragmentation of larger tracts (greater than 5000 hectares), and 20% of priority smaller tracts (less than 5000 hectares) will be better connected than the 2003 baseline.
• Wetlands
  The 2008 extent and condition of SEQ wetlands will be maintained or increased.
• Vulnerable Ecosystems
  At least 4% of the original pre-clearing extents of vulnerable regional ecosystems will be represented in protective measures.
• Native Species
  The 2008 conservation status of native species will be maintained or improved.
• Habitat for Priority Species
  The 2001 extent and condition of habitat for priority taxa will be maintained or increased.

Nature priority actions

The following actions will play a critical role in meeting the nature conservation targets.

These actions have been identified by the South East Queensland community. These actions are updated regularly in the region's Natural Resource Management Plan, which is managed by Healthy Land & Water on behalf of the region's community.

Nature current state

There has been a decline in vegetation extent across the region since 2001.

• Current coverage of remnant vegetation is 35.5% and non-remnant woody vegetation is 17.4%.
• Projected land use change could result in further loss of remnant vegetation and the target will not be achieved.
• There has been a loss of 7,384 hectares of remnant vegetation, 54,983 hectares of woody vegetation and 1,220 hectares of natural wetlands since 2001.
• Critically, there has been significant fragmentation of the remaining vegetation tracts, reducing the effectiveness of corridors and areas that support the rich biodiversity of SEQ.
• In 2014 there were 21 tracts of bushland that were greater than 5,000 hectares. this number has since reduced to 18.
• Changing land use for urban and rural residential purposes, industry, linear infrastructure, resource extraction and agricultural activities are driving these changes.

Nature threats and pressures

• Transition of vegetation and wetlands to other uses
• Ongoing fragmentation of the landscape.
  • Development pressure.
  • Population growth.
  • Illegal clearing.
  • Recreational use.
    
• Extreme weather events such as floods and droughts.
• Weeds and pest species (including spread of pathogens).
• Poor and inappropriate fire management.