Our wildlife
Our region has a
diversity of native flora and fauna and includes a range of ecosystem
types. However, the catchment is challenged by weeds and animal
pests, which represent a significant economic cost to agricultural
production and impact biodiversity by competing with native animals,
destroying native vegetation and degrading land. Altered fire regimes
and overgrazing are also adversely affecting biodiversity in some
areas.
All creatures great and small. The Condamine catchment is home to an estimated 500+ native vertebrate animal species, including ten species considered as endangered: two frogs, four birds, one mammal, two reptiles and one butterfly. A further 21 species are considered vulnerable and 26 rare at the state level. Sadly, four mammals and one bird species have been declared extinct.
Native vegetation under threat. There are nearly 2,000 flora species in the catchment, including 5 endangered, 32 vulnerable, and 34 rare species at state level. The proportion of remnant vegetation from original regional ecosystems ranges from 7 to 30% in the east to 25 to 50% in the west. Of this, up to 70% is classified as endangered or of concern in some parts. Wetlands include nationally significant Lake Broadwater; and Dalrymple and Blackfellow Creek.
Pest control: Weeds and animal pests continue to present negative impacts upon the natural, agricultural and community assets in the catchment. This includes increased production costs and reduction in quality and output in the horticultural, agricultural, animal production and forestry industries. Many environmental weeds are encroaching on riparian zones and hill slopes, while animal pests such as rabbits, cats, foxes and wild pigs have severe effects through predation and degradation of habitats.
Fighting back. Native forests and plantation forests are playing an increasingly important role in providing vegetation cover on landscapes and also in providing habitats and ecosystem services.
