Connecting Lowland Subtropical Rainforest in Mooloolah: Gubbi Gubbi Dyungungoo

(not documented)

Australian Government (Caring for our Country program)

Landholder

(not documented)

On-ground work

(none)

Australian Government (Caring for our Country program)

Landholder

(not documented)

(not documented)

13 February 2013

31 May 2013

In November 2011, lowland subtropical rainforest (LSR) was listed as a critically endangered ecological community (EEC) under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Within the Upper Stanley and Mooloolah catchments, LSR has been reduced in extent by 92% since European settlement as a result of clearing for agriculture, forestry and peri-urban development. The remaining patches often occur as narrow, broken riparian corridors.

This project site is in the riparian zone of the Mooloolah River. It contains vegetation identified in an independent botanical assessment as endangered regional ecosystem 12.3.1 gallery rainforest (notophyll vine forest) on alluvial plains (NB: this has been incorrectly mapped by the Herbarium as RE 12.3.2 Eucalyptus grandis tall open forest on alluvial plains). Small plantings have previously been undertaken.

SEQ Catchments is providing support to landholders to help reduce the fragmentation of LSR. This will be achieved through promoting more ecologically sustainable land management by reducing threats caused by weeds, unmanaged stock access and inappropriate fire regimes. In addition, natural regeneration of the LSR community will be promoted and re-vegetation of LSR species, where appropriate, will be undertaken.

Activities include weed management (lantana) using the following methods: mechanical (posi track) in open areas of high infestation, selective herbicide application (spraying) and manual methods in non-open/patchy areas. This will allow mulching of cleared lantana and foster natural regeneration. The area to be managed is adjacent to the riparian zone.

Proposed project monitoring and maintenance:

• establish four photo-points and take ‘before and after’ photographs
• improve biodiversity in the upper Mooloolah catchment by improving the condition and connectivity of lowland subtropical rainforest through weed control
• enhance 1.2ha through strategic weed control and assisted natural regeneration.

This project will:

• enable the restoration and reconnection of areas of LSR within the project area.
• enhance the condition of approximately 1.2ha of this EEC.

(not documented)

SEQC1932