An isolated patch of rainforest among farmland.

Even isolated patches of rainforest can be rich in plant and animal species.

Threatened species and ecosystems of coastal north Queensland

A project to improve the monitoring and management of species, communities and ecosystems in North Queensland’s coastal lowlands aims to reduce threats to their long term survival.

19 September 2007 | Updated 14 October 2011

Project aims
Indicators of ecosystem health
Initial focus
Climate change, frogs and possums
Values of remnant forest
Partners

North Queensland's coastal lowlands have been extensively cleared for agriculture and housing, but the remnant patches of forest that remain among the farmlands are still rich in biodiversity and support a number of well known threatened species.

Project aims

This research project aims to identify the current status and likely future of cassowaries, arboreal mammals, and the rare and threatened species and ecosystems of North Queensland's coastal lowlands.

The researchers, led by Dr Dan Metcalfe, will also develop management options for mitigating threats to these environmental assets.

The project started in July 2006 and will end in June 2010.

Indicators of ecosystem health

From desktop studies and field work, the scientists are collating:

information about the region’s:
- species
- plant and animal communities
- ecosystem processes
information on:
- biodiversity
- distribution
- condition
- interrelationships
- potential impacts of climate change
- threats to ecosystem health.

From this solid base of information, they will develop indicators of ecosystem health.

These indicators will be used to develop a process for estimating the rate of deterioration of a patch of remnant forest based on:

its size
its distance from larger tracts of forest
how the surrounding land is being used.

The information base will give a good indication of how ecosystems protect rare species and harbour pest species, and which parts of the forests have the most ecological value and are therefore most in need of conservation.

The project also involves assessing the effectiveness of different restoration strategies and protective measures.

Initial focus

We are focusing initially on the Tully-Murray-South Johnstone catchments, which include some of the best remnant Melaleuca in the bioregion.

We are also surveying cassowaries, arboreal mammals, and the rainforests around Mission Beach.

The Cassowary is just one of many threatened species found in lowland rainforests.

Our study then extends to include mahogany glider communities and improving the monitoring of fire, weeds and feral animals—some of the biggest threats to our natural ecosystems.

Climate change, frogs and possums

The nursery frog and the green ringtail possum are two endemic species at high risk from climate change.

By studying their physiological characteristics and limitations, we will be able to better predict the impacts of climate change on species distribution.

We will also be able to identify likely refuges for the species and management actions that mitigate the risks.

In surveying the area’s topography, we will gain a better understanding of the impacts on low-lying areas of the projected increase in storm severity and rises in sea level.

Ecological value of remnant forest

From our survey work, we will describe the general ecological values of remnant forests based on their type, size and condition to give individual landholders a guide as to the value of remnant patches on their property.

We will also provide a list of species that would be expected to live in such a habitat.

Land managers will be able to use this information to support grant applications for restoring or protecting remnant forest fragments.

Working with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, we will use our improved understanding of the value of remnant forest fragments to develop guidelines for land managers to determine the most cost-effective investments for conservation.