Section 3 Values. Ian Lowe. Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

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1 16 Sunshine ne Coast Biodiversity it ys Strategy teg

2 Section 3 Values Everyone in the world depends completely on Earth s ecosystems and the services they provide, such as food, water, disease management, climate regulation, spiritual fulfilment and aesthetic enjoyment. Ian Lowe Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

3 3 Values 3.1 Biodiversity at a glance The Sunshine Coast in Context Australia is recognised as one of 17 megadiverse countries and is home to many endemic and uniquely Australian species. Queensland has a rich biodiversity, with 47% of the nation s plants and 66% of all native bird, mammal, frog and reptile species found in the state (EPA 2004) while the South East Queensland bioregion is one of the state s richest areas in terms of the variety of plant and animals. The Sunshine Coast lies within the Macleay-McPherson overlap, an ecological transition zone between the Torresian and Bassian biological distributions. Many tropical species reach their southern limit and many temperate species reach their northern limits within this zone. There are also many endemic species found in the region that occur nowhere else in the world and, as a result, the region is considered to be an important biodiversity hub within South East Queensland. The Landscape Our region is blessed with stunning natural landscapes that includes: world renowned beaches, waterways and coastal ecosystems; unique lowland and hinterland forests; with an idyllic sub-tropical climate. It comprises ecological, biodiversity and natural history attributes of national and international significance. The Sunshine Coast encompasses an area of 2,291 square kilometres containing a diverse range of geological and geographic features extending from Emu Mountain in the north to the iconic National Heritage listed Glass House Mountains and Pumicestone Passage in the south, and west to the Conondale Ranges. The region has thousands of kilometres of waterways and approximately 130 kilometres of beaches and other coastal foreshores, including lower estuaries. The Sunshine Coast Council boundary includes all or part of the catchments of five major waterway systems: the Maroochy, Mooloolah, Mary and Stanley Rivers and the Pumicestone Passage. The area also includes a small section of the southern headwaters of the Noosa River. Geology: Prominent peaks Mount Coonowrin million years ago rhyolite and trachyte magma was forced up through the older rocks, possibly fi lling old volcanic vents or sub surface bulges (called laccoliths). The southern group of these plugs form the iconic Glass House Mountains. Mount Peregian Mount Peregian (Emu Mountain) is another laccolith. 18 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

4 Our Ecosystems The Sunshine Coast s existing remnant vegetation patterns reflect more than a century of land use for forestry, agriculture and urbanisation with less than 41% of the region s remnant vegetation remaining. Of the region s remaining remnant vegetation approximately 94% has been identified as core habitat areas while about 6% has been identified as connecting habitat areas. Core and Connecting Habitat Areas with prioritised habitat linkages are shown on Map 7.1. The Sunshine Coast has 76 different regional ecosystem types, according to the Queensland Herbarium s regional ecosystem classification system. Each ecosystem is categorised and described based on the geology type and vegetation associations. The Sunshine Coast ecosystem types include but are not limited to: coastal wallum mangrove paperbark and woodland forests tall open and closed eucalypt forests subtropical rainforests montane heath. Of those 76 recorded ecosystems, 32 are considered to be vulnerable in their remaining extent, particularly those that occur nearer the coast due to the on-going pressures from population growth and development. The Commonwealth Government has declared eight Wetlands of National Importance in the Sunshine Coast region: Obi Obi Creek Pumicestone Passage Bribie Island Lake Weyba Coolum Creek and Lower Maroochy River Upper Pumicestone Coastal Plain Conondale Range Aggregation which includes the upper reaches of Bundaroo Creek and Booloumba Creek Lower Mooloolah River. The Pumicestone Passage, located at the southern extent of the region, is a wetland of international importance in accordance with the Ramsar Convention It offers a protected haven for migratory shorebirds, dugongs, marine turtles and dolphins. Of concern 27 ecosystems Least concern 44 ecosystems Endangered 5 ecosystems Figure 1 The current conservation status of the different Regional Ecosystem types identified on the Sunshine Coast. Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

5 The National Estate registered Noosa-Maroochy Wallum Area covers approximately 8,000 hectares and extends from Mudjimba in the south to Noosa National Park in the north. This area includes a number of important core habitat areas including the Mount Coolum National Park, the Coolum section of the Noosa National Park, lower reaches of the Maroochy River and the Doonan and Coolum Creek Conservation areas. Along with the Noosa-Maroochy State Forest corridor, these two areas provide essential habitat for an array of threatened and locally significant species. The Sunshine Coast retains the only substantial coastal eucalypt remnant vegetation areas between Byron Bay and Bundaberg. Many large upland forests and smaller coastal lowland remnants are significant for biodiversity conservation, while most remnant vegetation is considered to have statewide significance. The range of vegetation communities in the Sunshine Coast region provide a variety of ecological niches for feeding, sheltering, breeding and resting resources for native animals. The topography of the area also provides an altitudinal range of fauna habitats. Of particular significance is Mapleton State Forest, on the Blackall Range, which is also one of the largest habitat areas within the Coast s boundaries. Even further west the Conondale National Park and Kenilworth and Imbil Forest Reserves contain the Sunshine Coast s most extensive eucalypt forest associations and rainforest ecosystems. This area constitutes the largest habitat core within the region and supports an extensive list of rare and threatened plants and animals. Coastal and dunes Heathland and paperbarks Mangroves and saltmarshes Seagrass communities Photo courtesy Chris Roelfsema Tall open forest Wet sclerophyll Rainforest Rocky/montane heath 20 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

6 Our Flora and Fauna Over 1,600 individual flora species have been recorded within the region s boundaries. The Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006 lists 91 flora species as Endangered, Vulnerable or Rare. Thirty-six species are listed as threatened under the Commonwealth Government s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (2000). Several species have global significance, being listed on the International Union for Nature Conservation s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The Sunshine Coast has many significant plant species. The highly endangered Buderim holly Graptophyllum reticulatum is a small distinctive shrub known only from two localities within the Sunshine Coast. It occurs nowhere else in the world. The swamp stringybark Eucalyptus conglomerata, listed as endangered, is considered to be one the rarest eucalypt species in Australia; while the Mount Beerwah mallee Eucalyptus kabiana, endemic to the region, is known from only a single dispersed population inhabiting the upper slopes of Mount Beerwah in the Glass House Mountains. Glossy black-cockatoo - Calyptorhynchus lathami Over 700 fauna species have been recorded in the region. State legislation lists 68 of these species as Endangered, Vulnerable or Rare, while the Commonwealth lists 37 threatened species in the Sunshine Coast area. Over 60 fauna species are listed on the IUCN Red List. Close to 350 bird species have been recorded here, representing more than one third of the nation s bird species. A portion of these are considered internationally important and are listed by the JAMBA, CAMBA, ROKAMBA migratory bird agreements. The Sunshine Coast has a diverse and interesting range of animal species including marsupials, monotremes, rodents, bats, frogs, reptiles, butterflies, fishes, turtles, cetaceans and birds many of which are the subjects of either State and/or Commonwealth recovery plans or similar conservation management tools. The Sunshine Coast is home to over a dozen threatened bird species including the glossy black-cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami and the Providence petrel Pterodroma solandri, both listed in Commonwealth Action Plans. The highly vulnerable ground parrot Pezoporus wallicus is a wallum specialist that has all but disappeared as a result of development in heath and wallum areas. Despite the array of flora and fauna that remains on the Coast, our biodiversity is in decline. Threatened acid frog species, the wallum sedge frog Litoria olongburensis and the wallum froglet Crinia tinnula now have severely Buderim holly - Graptophyllum reticulatum Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

7 restricted habitat. They have adapted to breeding in low ph water of the coastal heathlands, one of the most threatened vegetation communities of the region. Another habitat specialist, Fleay s frog Mixophyes fleayi, survives only at higher elevations in rainforest environments and running streams. The restriction of this type of habitat has resulted in it being listed as endangered under both State and Federal legislation. The nationally endangered spotted-tail quoll Dasyurus maculatus, one of Australia s last remaining apex marsupial carnivores, now appears to be restricted to the most westerly habitats of the region. Sightings are rare. The following section profiles a number of interesting and biodiverse landscapes to be found on the Sunshine Coast. Sunshine Coast threatened species Christmas bells - Blandfordia grandifl ora Glossy spice bush - Triunia robusta Richmond birdwing butterfl y - Ornithoptera richmondii Wallum froglet - Crinia tinnula Photo courtesy Queensland Museum 22 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

8 Map 3.1: Sunshine Coast Biodiversity: Areas of interest locality map Highlighting well known landscape features and the surrounding biodiversity. The following profiles provide information on the respective areas. Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

9 1 Noosa-Maroochy Wallum Area Stretching north from Mudjimba to Noosa Heads is a group of remnants collectively known as the Noosa-Maroochy Wallum Area. This corridor, covering approximately 9,000 hectares, forms one of the most important connected coastal habitat areas on the Sunshine Coast and is home to an array of threatened ecosystems, plants and animals. The Noosa-Maroochy Wallum Area encompasses Lake Weyba, coastal sandplains, parabolic high dunes, beach ridges, the rocky outcrop of Mount Peregian and a diverse range of coastal plant communities once typical of the coastal lowlands of South East Queensland. Ecosystems include lowland wet heath and sedgelands, dry heath on rocky outcrops, low banksia woodland, eucalyptus and melaleuca open forests and woodlands, high dune communities, rainforest and the largest extent of mangrove forest in the region. This area represents important habitat for migratory water birds and supports numerous threatened species, including the ground parrot, wallum froglet, false water-rat, Christmas bells, swamp stringybark and the only known viable population of the endemic Allocasuarina emuina. Also in this area is Mount Coolum. It is one of Australia s most intensely diverse regions, with more than 700 plant species including 500 flowering plant species, 49 ferns and more than 100 species of lesser plants such as mosses, liverworts, and lichens. 2 Blackall Range and Mapleton Forest Reserve The Blackall Range is a landscape created by volcanic activity and sculpted by water over many millions of years. The rich basalt soils support a profusion of tall open eucalypt forests and subtropical rainforest communities. The Blackall Range contains some of the largest remaining core habitat areas on the Sunshine Coast and is considered to be one of region s biodiversity hubs. A number of reserves protect remnant forest communities and essential wildlife habitats, providing scenic places for nature-based recreation. The largest protected area is the Mapleton Forest Reserve. Covering more than 10,000 hectares, it protects some of the largest flooded gums and blackbutts remaining on the East Coast. This core habitat area acts as a regional refuge and reservoir for fauna populations that seasonally migrate or disperse to adjoining habitat remnants. The area supports an array of frog species, including the threatened pouched frog, cascade tree frog and giant barred frog. More than 70 reptile species and hundreds of bird species including the magnificent wedge-tail eagle, Australian peregrine falcon, and wompoo fruit-dove have been recorded in this area. 24 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

10 3 Conondale Ranges Covering almost 55,000 hectares, the Conondale Ranges form the largest contiguous remnant ecosystem (and as such the largest core habitat area) within the Sunshine Coast region. They extend beyond the border of the Sunshine Coast into the Somerset and Gympie regions. The southern part of the core is protected as the Conondale National Park, with remaining areas listed as State Forest Reserve and State Forest (including Imbil, Kenilworth and Conondale). The core includes extensive tracts of tall open eucalypt and rainforest as well as large areas of hoop pine plantation. Open eucalypt forests of brushbox, tallowwood, grey ironbark, grey gum and forest red gum; gully vine forests with abundant stands of piccabeen palms; boulderstrewn creeks with surrounding stands of flooded gums and white mahogany; stunning falls and rock pools; and gallery rainforest provide a diversity of habitats for a variety of native fauna. The ranges offer critical habitat for koalas, wallabies, possums, gliders, bats (including the golden tipped bat) a plethora of birds including the threatened grey goshawk, marbled frogmouth and the wedge-tail eagle and a variety of threatened frogs including the giant barred frog and the pouch frog. They are also one of the last remaining habitat areas on the East Coast for Australia s top marsupial predator the spotted-tail quoll. 4 Curramore-Walli Forests Located north-west of Maleny and separated from the Imbil State Forest by the Mary River valley is the Curramore-Walli Forest Reserve. This mosaic of forests makes up the Maleny National Park, and an ecologically important stepping stone between the Mapleton State Forest and the Conondale Range. The area comprises a wide variety of ecosystems, including rainforest and eucalypt forests and is home to a significant number of rare and threatened animals and plants. Located adjacent to the southern extent of the Curramore-Walli Forest Reserve is a 175 hectare parcel of land owned by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy known as the Curramore Wildlife Sanctuary. Recent surveys confirmed a number of threatened species, including the marsupial frog a resident of subtropical rainforests, the golden-tipped bat, short-limbed snakeskink, plumed frog-mouth and the Stephen s banded snake all of which are new records for the area. This reserve, through planned revegetation, will be re-connected to the forest reserve further expanding the core habitat area. Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

11 5 Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve The Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is a 52 hectare remnant of the subtropical rainforest that previously covered the southern end of the Blackall Range and valleys to the west. The reserve is currently an ecological island with no continuous habitat links to nearby remnants. It is one of the few remnants of subtropical rainforest growing in optimum conditions on flat deep basalt soils, in a high rainfall area. Although it is currently in good condition, it is presumed that some terrestrial animals that previously habitated the reserve including the long-nose potoroo and rufous bettong - are now extinct. The area is home to old Australian red cedar, black bean, yellow carrabeen, white beech, tulip oak, large strangling figs and rainforest trees. The forest features walking stick palm, lawyer palm and Richmond birdwing butterfly vine, while three old flooded gums survive from an ancient fire. The reserve provides habitat for 139 recorded bird species, including the endangered Coxen's fig parrot and the rare grey goshawk. Several native mammal species have been recorded in the reserve, including three small representatives of the kangaroo family; the red-legged pademelon, the red-necked pademelon and the red-necked wallaby. Nocturnal marsupials include the mountain brushtail possum. The streams around the reserve accommodate various threatened frog species including the giant barred frog and rare spiny crayfish. 6 Pumicestone Passage The Pumicestone Passage and northern tip of Bribie Island contain a multitude of ecosystems. The island s dunal communities are dominated by coastal sheoaks, acacias, banksias and beach spinifex. Mangroves and associated fringing wetlands and swamp paperbark woodlands line the many creeks emptying into the passage. These areas provide important roosting and breeding sites for wetland dependent raptors such as the osprey, brahminy kite and white-bellied sea eagle. The Pumicestone Passage is part of a Ramsar listed site and its tidal wetlands and water systems are protected as part of Moreton Bay Marine Park. The intertidal flats, saltmarsh and mangroves are important feeding and roosting sites for many bird species. Up to 15,000 migratory waterbirds visit this area to feed in the summer months before flying thousands of kilometres to breeding areas in Alaska, China and Siberia. The extensive mangrove and seagrass communities also provide important nursery and feeding grounds for fish, crabs, prawns, marine turtles and dugong which rely on the shallow seagrass beds. The area is culturally significant for local Indigenous people. Large shell middens along the foreshores of the Pumicestone Passage confirm the area s significance as a major food gathering location over many generations. 26 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

12 7 Glass House Mountains The craggy volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains are a distinctive feature of the Sunshine Coast landscape. The rhyolite plugs were formed by volcanic activity more than 25 million years ago. According to Dreamtime stories, the Glass House Mountains are home to Beerwah (the mother and the highest peak at 555 metres), Tibrogargan (the father), Coonowrin (the wayward eldest son), Tunbubudla (the twins) and the rest of the family - Ngungun, Coochin, Tibberoowuccum, Miketeebumulgrai and Elimbah. The area is spiritually significant to the area s Traditional Owners and is an important place where they gathered for ceremonies and trading for thousands of years. The Glass House Mountains area includes river systems, open forests, coastal wetlands, mountain forests and heath. Much of the surrounding area has been cleared and the mountains now tower over a patchwork of cultivated fields and pine plantations. Many of the mountain ecosystems remain relatively undisturbed and contain a variety of significant plants and animals including some 26 rare or threatened plant species such as the highly restricted and vulnerable Grevillea hodgei. The Glass House Mountains together with Mount Mellum form a core habitat area for the threatened glossy black-cockatoo. 8 Rivers of the Sunshine Coast The Sunshine Coast region is traversed by two major river systems - the Maroochy and Mooloolah Rivers - as well as the network of tributary creeks that empty into the Pumicestone Passage. The headwaters of the Mary and Stanley rivers are also located on the Sunshine Coast. The aquatic environment also includes coastal lagoons such as Stumers Creek and Currimundi Lake. These waterways are the lifeblood of the Sunshine Coast environment, directing water across the landscape through streams, creeks and rivers which link aquatic and terrestrial fauna. They support abundant, diverse aquatic species and ecosystems of international significance, including the endemic Mary River cod and Mary River tortoise. Native fish found in Sunshine Coast waterways include the long finned eel, empire gudgeon, firetail gudgeon, ornate rainbow fish and Duboulay s rainbow fish. Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

13 3.2 Aboriginal Traditional Owners and biodiversity Traditional Owners of the Sunshine Coast have a complex cultural, spiritual and social relationship with biodiversity through their long-standing relationship with the land and natural environment. For coastal Traditional Owners, landscapes and seascapes are considered as a whole. Traditional Owners are custodians of their cultural heritage, and this incorporates physical and intangible (spiritual) elements. These elements combine to explain traditional law and cultural links to the past, and guide custodial obligations. The Sunshine Coast is home to many sites and places of cultural significance linked to material items, stories and spiritual ownership. They form the basis of traditional law, custom and spiritual connection, and underpin the commitment of local Indigenous people to maintain land and sea resources. Central to the identity and cultural heritage of Indigenous Australians is their involvement in protecting the biodiversity of lands and waterways for which they hold title or interest. Traditional Owners of the Sunshine Coast participate in various biodiversity activities which include managing conservation areas, recording traditional Indigenous knowledge, educating stakeholders about Indigenous culture and sharing Aboriginal stories. Sunshine Coast Indigenous Culture While many Indigenous 'sites' exist across the Sunshine Coast, to the Traditional Custodians everything in and of the landscape, each place, river, rock, plant, animal and insect is deemed to hold cultural heritage significance. This strong connection to the land is captured and reaffirmed in song, dance, legend, art and ceremony. Traditional practices, such as fire stick farming, influenced the region s biodiversity and were integral to continuity and regeneration of some flora species, for example banksias and eucalypts. Evidence of Indigenous peoples use of the land in the past can still be found on the Coast, such as middens, bora rings, grinding grooves, fish traps, trails and scarred trees. Grinding grooves at Landsborough Tree scarring 28 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

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16 Section 4 Threats these impacts will alter the feel of ecosystems: the look, sound and smell of places we are familiar with will change as the composition and abundance of plants, animal, fungi and other micro-organisms change. CSIRO Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

17 4 Threats 4.1 Defining key challenges 'Biodiversity loss is one of the world's most pressing crises and there is growing global concern about the status of the biological resources on which so much of human life depends. It has been estimated that the current species extinction rate is between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than it would naturally be.' - IUCN Our communities rely on biodiversity and the ecosystem services provided by our natural environment. We depend on healthy natural environments to support our livelihood, lifestyle and recreational pursuits. While the natural environment draws many residents and visitors to the Sunshine Coast, evidence suggests that the region s biodiversity is in decline. As the Sunshine Coast has grown, development has resulted in irreversible impacts to our natural environment. Current and future population growth pressures and climate change present urgent challenges that require attention now. 4.2 Population growth and development Population growth represents a significant threat to the region s biodiversity. The Sunshine Coast is currently home to around 285,000 (2014) people most of whom reside near the coast for the lifestyle and recreation opportunities this provides. There is also a growing trend for people to move into hinterland areas for lifestyle reasons. The Sunshine Coast population is projected to reach 470,000 by 2036 (Queensland Treasury). Council considers that more detailed planning assessment is required to determine the appropriate residential growth capacity and rate including consideration of issues such as carrying capacity, character, biophysical constraints and the provision of infrastructure. Accommodating such growth will place significant pressure on the natural environment. The Sunshine Coast offers a wide diversity of leisure, tourism and recreational opportunities and tourism is a key economic driver for the region. While this influx of visitors and holiday makers contributes significantly to our economy, it drives an increased demand for infrastructure, tourism and nature based recreation opportunities, accommodation and other facilities all of which have the potential to negatively impact on the region s environmental values. As a community, we need places to work and play. We require appropriate access to schools, hospitals, shops, parks and sporting fields. The challenge for the Sunshine Coast is to accommodate growth while preserving, and ultimately enhancing, the natural environment. Population growth and development pose a number of serious threats to the region s biodiversity, specifically: Vegetation clearing Habitat loss and fragmentation Introduction of pest species Pollution and stormwater run-off. 32 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

18 4.3 Vegetation clearing habitat loss and fragmentation Habitat loss and fragmentation occur when vegetation is cleared either to accommodate development and infrastructure or for agricultural purposes. Habitat loss refers to the reduction of remaining habitat that occurs as a result of the irreversible destruction of ecosystems. While all vegetation clearance results in some form of habitat loss, the worst offenders are large scale urban development, broad acre farming and plantation forestry which completely replace natural ecosystems. Habitat fragmentation occurs when vegetation clearing breaks habitat into progressively smaller and more disconnected pieces. All vegetation clearing contributes to fragmentation, but it is most conspicuous following construction of roads, powerlines and other linear infrastructure. The cumulative impact of many small losses of habitat is just as significant as the loss of large areas of vegetation. The end result is a landscape of habitat patches dotted throughout a matrix of non-habitat. The current rate of habitat loss is disproportionately higher than reinstatement or rehabilitation rates. The Sunshine Coast is experiencing a period of net habitat loss. The effect of habitat loss and fragmentation on individual species varies. Habitat fragmentation and isolation can restrict access of species with limited individual mobility to foraging habitat and may also reduce their ability to seek out more favourable conditions during times of adversity. Highly fragmented landscapes can reduce access to breeding partners and impede the dispersal of offspring. Over time this can lead to the genetic isolation of populations. With a limited gene pool, the viability of individual populations and the long-term survival of the species may be compromised. Even for highly mobile species, the fragmentation of habitat creates formidable obstacles and car strikes and dog attacks continue to be major causes of mortality when native fauna are forced to contend with crossing roads and suburban backyards. 4.4 Climate change The scientific community continues to provide evidence of climate change and its likely impact on the global community. Predicted impacts include: Higher temperatures, with increasing average annual temperature and greater warming of inland areas More hot days and fewer cold nights, A tendency for less rainfall, with more droughts, An increase in cyclone intensity A rise in global average sea level Increased risk of storm surges along Queensland s coast. The impact of climate change is likely to contribute to changes in the biology of individual species as they adapt to new conditions. These changes will depend on the rate of environmental change and the ability of a species to adapt. Interactions between individual species, their surrounding environment and other species will change as climate change progresses. This is expected to alter patterns of establishment, growth, competition, dispersal, breeding and mortality of individuals within a population. Faster seasonal growth rates, earlier spring life cycle events and delayed autumn events may provide a competitive advantage for some species, to the detriment of others. Invasive species are likely to gain a greater advantage and some existing pests are expected to proliferate. While some species are likely to adapt to new climatic conditions, species that are unable to migrate or adapt to a new environment will be susceptible to local extinction. Many threatened species have very limited ranges, limited dispersal abilities, specialised habitat requirements, small populations and existing low genetic viability, and these will be particularly vulnerable to ecosystem changes. Changes in distribution, abundance and genetic diversity that occur in response to climate change will alter the biodiversity values of a region, putting increased stress on ecosystems already impacted by development, vegetation clearing and habitat fragmentation. Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

19 4.5 Weeds and pest animals Weeds and pest animals degrade natural and agricultural landscapes, damage remnant vegetation, compromise biodiversity and interfere with human health and recreation. Their impacts on biodiversity are varied. Ecosystem transforming weeds out-compete and smother native vegetation to form dense monocultures. Some weeds even poison native fauna and stock. Pest animals can be just as harmful to native ecosystems. They commonly out-compete native predators to become the dominant predators and directly impacting on biodiversity by preying on native species. Other pest animals are aggressive towards native species and can out-compete native species for resources such as nesting hollows. Established weeds and pest animals require significant resources to control and eradicate. While it would be preferable to rid our region of all pest plants and animals, eradication of many species is impossible. This Strategy focuses on minimising the impacts of pest plants and animals and on preventing new incursions. Sunshine Coast weeds and pest animals Singapore daisy - Sphagneticola trilobata The pretty Singapore daisy Sphagneticola trilobata, a class 3 pest and former popular home garden ground cover, forms a dense carpet, which can prevent regeneration of native fl ora species. Camphor laurel tree - Cinnamomum camphors The camphor laurel tree Cinnamomum camphora, a class 3 pest, is an aggressive invader along waterways, and is known for forming monocultures of large trees with little understorey. Red fox - Vulpes vulpes The red fox Vulpes vulpes, is a class 2 declared pest, preying on marsupials, other young animals and poultry. It is also known for its annual raids on marine turtle nests. It is considered to be our worst pest animal. Cane toad - Bufo marinus 34 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy

20 4.6 Land management practices 'South East Queensland was a vastly different place before non-aboriginal settlement commenced in Although shaped by human occupants for tens of thousands of years prior to 1824, the region s lands, waters, atmosphere and biodiversity were substantially unaffected by the impacts of development.' SEQ Catchments, Vegetation clearing for urban and rural development is an obvious and visible form of ecosystem disturbance, however long-term unsustainable land management practices also contribute significantly to declines in ecological functions and biodiversity values. Altered fire regimes, unsustainable agricultural practices, altered hydrological regimes, reduced water quality and acid sulphate soils all threaten regional biodiversity. 4.7 Responding to the threats Threats to biodiversity vary in nature and origin, with each threat requiring considered and tailored responses. This Strategy has been developed to complement existing policy and strategic response measures that have been developed by national, state and local government and non-government organisations. While the Strategy identifies a wide range of threats to biodiversity, the strategic directions focus on those threats that can be addressed by Sunshine Coast Council. In the following sections we provide the framework for delivering a range of actions to ensure that we respond to these challenges and ensure that the vision is realised. Fire has played an important role in shaping Australia s natural landscape, and has had a strong influence on the evolution of native flora and fauna. The fundamental characteristics of fire have changed since European settlement, with fire restrictions, hazard reduction burning and fragmentation of vegetation changing the frequency, intensity and seasonality of fire. This alteration in natural fire regimes has negatively impacted on flora, fauna and the overall biodiversity values of ecosystems. Unsustainable agricultural practices can severely threaten biodiversity values. Erosion and sedimentation associated with vegetation clearing and poorly planned and managed agricultural sites, unrestricted grazing access to waterways and other sensitive environments, clearing of riparian buffers and vegetation corridors, high fertiliser and pesticide application rates, and inappropriate management of farm dams continue to cause both localised and downstream impacts to ecosystem health and biodiversity. Much of the low-lying coastal area of the Sunshine Coast is affected by acid sulphate soils or potential acid sulphate soils. The unmanaged disturbance of acid sulphate soils can impact aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity. Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy