Enhancing Biodiversity Hotspots Along Western Queensland Stock ...

Additional findings
The majority of Major Mitchell’s cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri) sightings during
the field visit for this project were in the South West NRM region. They showed a
distinct preference that this species has for country commonly known as ‘soft mulga’
with its distinctive red sandy soils (i.e. red Kandosols and red Chromosols soils).
These soils have nutrient limitations which may benefit the wildlife as it limits the
introduction of invasive grasses, such as buffel grass (Pennisetum ciliare), enabling a
favourite food source of these cockatoos, the desert paddy melon (Zehneria
micrantha), to thrive on disturbed ground.
There seems to be reluctance throughout most of the regions of western Queensland
to use fire as a management tool for the maintenance of biodiversity. The lack of
appropriate fire regimes is inhibiting flora species, as certain fire regimes are required
to maintain biodiversity. This is a topic that needs greater consideration as a
management option, especially for the stock routes that retain remnant vegetation in
otherwise cleared country, as many species are threatened by a lack of appropriate
fire regimes (Dyer et al., 2001).
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