Brigalow conservation important for biodiversity
Landholders in the Suttor River catchment are working with NQ Dry Tropics on brigalow conservation to protect and improve remnant patches of the Threatened Ecological Communities on their properties.
Brigalow is the name for communities of the distinctive silver-leafed Acacia harpophylla that together form an open forest or woodland.
Brigalow was notorious with early settlers for being extremely difficult to clear but they had the disadvantage of no bulldozers dragging heavy chains. Brigalow was cleared extensively from the 1950s through to the 1970s by which time the brigalow had all but lost the battle.
While, at the time, it appeared to achieve a gain of extensive tracts of new agricultural land, the price now realised was an enormous loss of biodiversity and a host of unforeseen environmental problems.
Brigalow scrubs are now listed as a Threatened Ecological Communities and graziers, recognising the importance of biodiversity in their paddocks, are doing what they can to protect and improve thent.
The Bolstering the Brigalow Project led by Senior Biodiversity Project Officer Jaymie Rains is going to re-engage with properties that have previously worked to protect brigalow.
It will also work on new sites to improve the extent of brigalow protection.
Local communities will be able to learn more about the importance of the natural resources in their paddocks.
Jaymie said the aim was to address identified threats to brigalow communities including fire, weeds, feral animals and inappropriate grazing.
“By reducing the chance of significant damage to brigalow through clearing or fire, for instance, the habitat needed by an incredible variety of birds and reptiles will be able to thrive,” Jaymie said.
“Increased biodiversity in and around the grasslands will improve the performance of the soil and the pasture growing in it.”
For more information, or to get involved, contact Jaymie by email: jaymie.rains@nqdrytropics.com.au or by phone: 0427 023 192.
