Enhancing Biodiversity Hotspots Along Western Queensland Stock ...

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(Gambusia sp.) that can be transported under the feathers of waterfowl; and overgrazing if stock break through into the fenced area. CURRENT MANAGEMENT: The fencing installed by DERM has partially limited overgrazing and trampling by cattle. However, pigs still frequent the area and impacts from their rooting and wallowing continue to occur. RECOMMENDATIONS: To improve the mitigation of pest and weed threats to this site, combined management by the Diamantina Shire Council, DERM and DCQ is recommended. The exclusion of cattle from Elizabeth Springs does seem to be beneficial. A similar experiment is strongly recommended with pig-proof fencing around some of the mounds within the enclosed area. Exclusion of feral pigs, followed by careful monitoring, would help identify, quantify and isolate pig damage as well as verifying the benefits of fencing. Other experiences such as the successful fencing of Tego Springs on the stock route through Culgoa Floodplain National Park resulted in the regrowth of 37 plant species that were not there prior to fencing, including the rare Sporobolus partimpatens (Craig Eddy, pers. comm.) A recovery plan is being jointly developed by the Commonwealth and <strong>Queensland</strong> Government Agencies. However, inadequate information on individual spring management has meant that an effective management programme for Elizabeth Springs has not yet been developed. Gathering adequate information to inform management should be a high priority for the conservation of this Endangered regional ecosystem. As the mound springs are so unique with so many endemic species, consideration should be given to the establishment of a monitoring programme to determine if new weed or invasive species such as mosquitofish (Gambusia sp.) are introduced, especially in the Desert Channels <strong>Queensland</strong> NRM region where so many of these springs are located. 36
Site 5. “Big Red” Sand Dune STOCK ROUTE NUMBER: U465 PRIORITY SPECIES: Animals: striated grasswren (Amytornis striatus). RATING: BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT SHIRE COUNCIL: DIAMANTINA SHIRE The “Big Red” sand dune is a tourist destination, rising some 100 metres above the surrounding swales, which is found on the stock route due west from Birdsville. Despite the popularity of this section of track for motor vehicles, a brief survey revealed an abundance of life including a family of striated grasswrens (Amytornis striatus). During the field visit the grasswrens were unafraid, and a positive identification was made by sight and photographs. Plate 16. “Big Red” sand dune (Photo: B. Walsh). THREATS: The major threats at this site are predation from feral cats, foxes and dogs, minor impacts from inappropriate fire regime, and possibly some impact from rabbits removing vegetation and as a result reducing the abundance of insects. Another threat is uncontrolled four-wheel driving, which damages the entire dune ecology. Unlike rabbits, the impact from cattle grazing is limited as it is restricted by the proximity to water. CURRENT MANAGEMENT: There is no current management for striated grasswrens at this site. RECOMMENDATIONS: Feral animal control is the management priority for this site area, with a particular focus on the control of feral cats, foxes and dogs. To realistically control feral animals at this site would require addressing these threats 37
Page 1 and 2: ENHANCING BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS ALO
Page 3 and 4: Executive summary The Stock Route N
Page 5 and 6: List of maps Map 1. The Stock Route
Page 7 and 8: Introduction Queensland’s Stock R
Page 9 and 10: Project methodology In order to ach
Page 11 and 12: 3. Selection of biodiversity hotspo
Page 13 and 14: Map 2. Biodiversity hotspots of the
Page 15 and 16: Plate 1. Charles Curry (SGC) by the
Page 17 and 18: Plate 3. Aboriginal art gallery at
Page 19 and 20: Plate 5. Cattle grazing damage to P
Page 21 and 22: RECOMMENDATIONS: The highest priori
Page 23 and 24: CURRENT MANAGEMENT: As with the Gre
Page 25 and 26: Plate 8. The buff-sided race of the
Page 29 and 30: Plate 10. Bilby diggings (Photo: B.
Page 31 and 32: Site 2. Birdsville/Bedourie STOCK R
Page 33 and 34: Site 3. Hell Hole Gorge National Pa
Page 35: Site 4. Elizabeth Springs STOCK ROU
Page 39 and 40: Site 6. Lake Galilee (Hazelmere Sta
Page 41 and 42: Site 7. Lake Dunn (The Lake Station
Page 43 and 44: Site 8. The Big Spring (Myross Stat
Page 45 and 46: Site 9. Old Cork Waterhole (Winton
Page 47 and 48: CURRENT MANAGEMENT: Desert Channels
Page 49 and 50: Windorah but their presence at this
Page 51 and 52: THREATS: Unknown. Plate 25. Black-f
Page 53 and 54: Plate 27. Northern quoll (Photo: T.
Page 55 and 56: The South West NRM Region Introduct
Page 59 and 60: Plate 31. Native liquorice flower (
Page 61 and 62: CURRENT MANAGEMENT: In conjunction
Page 63 and 64: THREATS: The major threats to Oolin
Page 65 and 66: Site 4. Morven - Tregole Road (oppo
Page 67 and 68: Site 6. Mungalala - Mitchell Road (
Page 69 and 70: Site 7. Morven - Tregonning Road ST
Page 71 and 72: established on part of the spring t
Page 73 and 74: RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended
Page 75 and 76: RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended
Page 77 and 78: THREATS: The major threats to this
Page 79 and 80: Plate 44. Tagging a mature Murray c
Page 81 and 82: Plate 46. Water lettuce at Cunnamul
Page 83 and 84: RECOMMENDATIONS: Yakka skinks are d
Page 85 and 86: For any future controlled fires at
Page 87 and 88:
For any future controlled fires at
Page 89 and 90:
For any future controlled fires at
Page 91 and 92:
Site 19. Riversleigh Road (Boatman
Page 93 and 94:
Plate 52. Major Mitchell’s cockat
Page 95 and 96:
Site 21. Charleville - Augathella R
Page 97 and 98:
Site 23. Adavale Escarpment (Adaval
Page 99 and 100:
25. Yowah Creek (Eulo - Thargominda
Page 101 and 102:
Additional findings The majority of
Page 103 and 104:
Map 5. Biodiversity hotspots of the
Page 105 and 106:
CURRENT MANAGEMENT: This stock rout
Page 107 and 108:
Site 3. Mitchell - Bollon Road STOC
Page 109 and 110:
Site 5. Womalilla Creek (Off the Wa
Page 111 and 112:
Reports of past snag removal south
Page 113 and 114:
Site 8. Wylara Hole (Surat - St. Ge
Page 115 and 116:
Site 10. Surat - Glenmorgan Road ST
Page 117 and 118:
It is also recommended that conside
Page 119 and 120:
Plate 64. Aboriginal well (Photo: B
Page 121 and 122:
Conclusions The Stock Route Network
Page 123 and 124:
Acronyms BRMB Border Rivers Maranoa
Page 125 and 126:
Appendix 1b: Priority animal specie
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Enhancing Biodiversity Hotspots Along Western Queensland Stock ...

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