Biodiversity & Vegetation - Queensland

What major vegetation groups occurred in prior to European settlement?
What was the area of major vegetation groups in prior to European settlement?
Methods
Applications
Limitations
What major vegetation groups occur in (circa 1997)?
What is the area of major vegetation groups in (circa 1997)?
Methods
Applications
Limitations
What is the extent of native vegetation in ?
Methods
Limitations
Link to native vegetation information for 's bioregions
Knowledge, data and information gaps
References
Partnerships
Further information

Queensland

What major vegetation groups occurred in prior to European settlement?

Map: Pre-European Major Vegetation Groups in

Source:

Major vegetation groups V1.0 (1km), National Land and Water Resources Audit 2001. Data used are assumed to be correct from suppliers.

The summary maps provide information on Australia's native vegetation collated within the National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) at July 2001 and with additional mapped information. The NVIS will be updated as vegetation mapping becomes available.

The map is a compilation of data collected at different scales by different organisations. Major Vegetation Groups were compiled by Environment Australia based on data collated by the Bureau of Rural Sciences and provided by Environment ACT, Department of Urban Services; NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service; NSW Royal Botanic Gardens; NSW State Forests; NT Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment; Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency; SA Department for Environment and Heritage; Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment; Flora Section, Department of Natural Resources and Environment; Agriculture Western Australia; Western Australia Department of Conservation and Land Management and Geoscience Australia, National Mapping Division.

Map: Extent of the National Vegetation Information System data

What was the area of major vegetation groups in prior to European settlement?

Table 1: Area of vegetation groups in prior to European settlement
Major Vegetation Group	Area (km²)	% total extent
Rainforest and vine thickets	30,055	1.7
Eucalyptus tall open forests	3,976	.2
Eucalyptus open forest	62,646	3.6
Eucalyptus low open forest	111	0
Eucalyptus woodlands	473,272	27.4
Acacia forest and woodlands	182,089	10.5
Callitris forest and woodlands	5,601	.3
Casuarina forest and woodlands	11,951	.7
Melaleuca forest and woodlands	72,173	4.2
Other forests and woodlands	49,692	2.9
Eucalyptus open woodlands	165,065	9.5
Tropical Eucalyptus woodland/grasslands	20,684	1.2
Acacia open woodlands	39,861	2.3
Mallee woodlands and shrublands	14	0
Low closed forest and closed shrublands	449	0
Acacia shrublands	104,368	6
Other Shrublands	16,780	1
Heath	633	0
Tussock grasslands	294,662	17
Hummock grasslands	92,009	5.3
Other grasslands, herblands, sedgelands and rushlands	4,963	.3
Chenopod shrub, samphire shrub and forblands	82,070	4.7
Mangroves, tidal mudflat, samphire and bare areas, claypan, sand, rock, salt lakes, lagoons, lakes	15,442	.9

Methods

The material below is an extract from the Australian Native Vegetation Assessment 2001 report. For ease of cross reference, figure, table and section references pertain to the chapter structure of this report. The Further Information section provides links to the full graphics version of the material below and the Australian Native Vegetation Assessment 2001 report.

Pre-European vegetation of Australia has been reconstructed using a variety of interpolation and modeling techniques from mapping and information on the present types and extent, historical records and early aerial photographs. It is assumed that Australia had experienced no significant clearing other than changes due to fire regimes prior to European settlement.

The underlying data used to describe the pre-European vegetation is in many cases the same as that representing the present vegetation. Some States and Territories have assumed that vegetation types mapped as pre-European vegetation also approximate the present vegetation.

This presents varying problems in interpreting changes in vegetation. There are very few areas in Australia that have not undergone some modification in species or structure following European settlement (e.g. changes in fire regime). Australian scientists are still developing systems and techniques to assess the condition and changes to condition of native vegetation.

In all states, adding the present vegetation data from the National Vegetation Information System to the available pre-European mapping provided the source for the pre-European major vegetation groups. In South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania the pre-European vegetation is presented as an interim product to be used at broad State and national scales. In Tasmania the pre-European data set was derived from modelling techniques and is yet to be finalised.

The major vegetation groups that are mapped, represent the dominant vegetation occurring in a particular area.

Applications

The inferred pre-European vegetation mapping can provide:

a broad baseline to document change in the extent and type of native vegetation;
information to assist in understanding the landscape for management and conservation of biodiversity;
an understanding of native vegetation cover which, coupled with details on Australia's soils, topography and climate variability assists construction of a modelled; assessment of natural soil erosion. This then allows us to understand changes in soil erosion patterns that have accompanied land use and are now impacting on the condition of our rivers, estuaries and near shore zones (NLWRA in prep.);
species and vegetation community information to assist in regional revegetation activities; and
information to assist in understanding changes in water balance, the key driver of dryland salinity (NLWRA 2001a) and changes in catchment surface water hydrology (NLWRA 2001b).

Limitations

The variety of methods used to map pre-European vegetation, the scale of some of the data and the difficulty of mapping in fragmented landscapes has resulted in an Australia-wide map which presents a combination of very broad and detailed mapping.

Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory National Vegetation Information System data have the greatest reliability. The New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmanian data are interim products and provide a broad scale view of Australia's pre-European vegetation.

The Guidelines section of this report provides guidelines on the use of the information and Appendix 8 presents information on the sources of data that have been collated into the National Vegetation Information System to represent Australia's pre-European vegetation including the extent, scale and date of collection.

Figures 6 and 7 provide information on the location and extent of data sets, their scale and level of classification used to develop the major vegetation groups.

What major vegetation groups occur in (circa 1997)?

Queensland's flora is diverse reflecting both an array of environments and species-rich communities such as the rainforests and coastal heathlands. Queensland vegetation is best recognised by the rainforests, littoral communities and adjoining island and barrier reef environments of the Wet Tropics. The biogeography of the State is complex with a wide range of temperate, sub-tropical, tropical, monsoonal, marine and arid environments.

The eucalypt woodlands, tussock grasslands, eucalypt open woodlands, acacia shrublands, hummock grasslands and acacia forests and woodlands cover the greatest area in Queensland. Eucalypt woodlands and open woodlands occur on the east coast from Cape York Peninsula to the border with New South Wales. Western Queensland is dominated by tussock and hummock grasslands and acacia shrublands. Acacia forests and woodlands occur throughout Queensland.

Bioregions in Queensland

Cape York Peninsula

This bioregion consists of gently undulating plains and plateaus with a tropical monsoon climate. Eucalypt woodlands and eucalypt open woodlands dominate Cape York Peninsula.

Western areas are dominated by melaleuca forests and woodlands, while closer to the coast a range of low closed forests, mangroves, wetlands occur.
Extensive areas of rainforest and eucalypt open forests occur on the eastern coast.

Major land uses are grazing of native pastures, nature conservation (e.g. Lakefield, Mungkan Kandju, Cape Melville, Jardine and Iron Range National Parks) and some native forestry.

Wet Tropics

The Wet Tropics region in the tropical east coast of northern Queensland contains rugged mountain ranges.

Dominated by large areas of rainforests and vine thickets with eucalypt open forests.
The low lying coastal plains support melaleuca and eucalypt communities.
Tussock grasslands are scattered throughout the region.

Twenty-four percent of the bioregion has been cleared-large areas have been cleared inland for dairying and on the coastal plains for dryland (sugar cane) and irrigated cropping. Large areas of rainforest are protected in National Parks and state forests within the Wet Tropics World Heritage area.

Central Mackay Coast

This bioregion has high rainfall, coastal lowlands hills and ranges.

Dominated by eucalypt woodlands, eucalypt open forests, and rainforest and vine thickets.
The coastal plains support a range of melaleuca, low closed forests and woodland communities, eucalypt woodland, eucalypt open forests, mangroves, samphires and sedgelands.

Major land uses are nature conservation (e.g. Eungella National Park), state forests, cattle grazing, and dryland and irrigated cropping for sugar cane on the lower lying plains. Thirty-one percent of the bioregion has been cleared.

Einasleigh Uplands

This bioregion contains undulating to hilly land with some rugged ranges and plateaus. It has a warm to hot climate.

Dominated by eucalypt woodland and open woodland with significant patches of rainforest and vine thickets.
It contains small areas of acacia forests and woodlands and tussock grasslands and a large area of eucalypt open forests in the east.

The region is mainly used for cattle grazing with some horticulture and cropping and small localised areas of grazing of modified pastures.

Gulf Plains

This bioregion extends slightly into the Northern Territory.

Extensive alluvial plains are dominated by large areas of mangroves, grasslands, eucalypt open forests and tropical eucalypt woodlands moving into tussock (blue grass-Dichanthium) grasslands, hummock (spinifex) grasslands, melaleuca and acacia forests and woodlands and eucalypt woodlands further inland.

The majority of the region is used for extensive cattle grazing with some nature conservation (e.g. Staaten River National Park). The littoral and estuarine communities of marine plains adjoining the Gulf of Carpentaria are extensive and support major fisheries including prawn, barramundi and shark.

Mount Isa Inlier

This bioregion consists of stony hills and ranges with a hot arid climate.

Dominated by hummock grasslands, eucalypt open woodland, low closed forests and closed shrublands, other forests and woodlands and acacia open woodlands.
Small areas of acacia forests and woodlands, tussock grasslands and eucalypt woodlands occur.

Major land uses are extensive cattle grazing and conservation (e.g. the Riversleigh World Heritage Area).

Mitchell Grass Downs

Extending into the Northern Territory, this bioregion consists of undulating plains with deep heavy clay soils and an arid hot climate.

Dominated by Mitchell grass (tussock grasslands), acacia forests and woodlands and open woodlands in the central and western area; eucalypt woodlands and open woodlands, acacia shrublands, low closed forests and closed shrublands; and chenopods and samphires along water courses.

Clearing of acacia forests and woodlands and chenopods has occurred in the eastern part of the region. Major land uses are extensive cattle and sheep grazing and some nature conservation.

Channel Country

This bioregion extends into the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales and is characterised by low hills and braided river systems with an arid climate of very dry hot summers and short dry winters.

The vast braided floodplains are dominated by widespread hummock and tussock grasslands, chenopod and samphire shrublands, low closed forests and closed shrublands and acacia shrublands.
Eucalypt woodlands and open woodlands occur along watercourses and many wetlands are present.
The north-east part has widespread areas of acacia forests and woodlands and open woodlands.

The major land use is extensive cattle grazing with some nature conservation.

Simpson-Strzelecki Dunefields

This bioregion extends into the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales

and consists of arid dune fields and sand plains.

Dominated by hummock grasslands, acacia shrublands and other forests and woodlands. Major land uses are grazing and nature conservation (including the Simpson Desert National Park).

Mulga Lands

This bioregion extends into New South Wales and is characterised by flat to gently undulating plains. It has summer dominant rainfall with increasing winter rain towards the south.

Large areas of mulga shrublands, acacia forests and woodlands with eucalypt woodland, eucalypt open woodland, callitris, eucalypt low open forests and chenopod and samphire communities along watercourses are present.

The major land use is cattle and sheep grazing with some nature conservation. The eastern part of this region has undergone a large degree of clearing for grazing of native and modified pastures. Vegetation cleared includes eucalypt woodlands and open woodlands, casuarina forests and woodlands and acacia forests and woodlands.

Darling Riverine Plain

This bioregion extends into New South Wales and is characterised by alluvial fans and plains. The climate is hot and dry in the west, less dry in the east.

Extensively cleared with remnant eucalypt open woodlands, eucalypt woodlands, eucalypt tall open forests and low closed forests and closed shrublands.

Major land uses are grazing, and dryland (cereals) and irrigated (cotton) cropping.

Nanadewar

This bioregion extends largely into New South Wales.

Extensively cleared and remaining vegetation is dominated by eucalypt woodland and small pockets of eucalypt open forests.

The major land use is grazing with some forestry and nature conservation in small areas.

South East Queensland

This bioregion is characterised by hills and ranges, alluvial valleys and coastal dunes with a subtropical to temperate climate in the south.

Remaining native vegetation includes rainforests and vine thickets and eucalypt open woodlands with small areas of eucalypt woodlands.
Lower lying coastal plains include heath, melaleuca, grasslands, rainforest and vine thickets, eucalypt open forests, other forests and woodlands and mangrove communities.

Major land uses are grazing, state forests and plantations, nature conservation (including the Fraser Island World Heritage Area), urban development and irrigated and dryland cropping. The region has been substantially cleared (57%) for grazing, agriculture and urban development.

Brigalow Belt South

This subcoastal belt extends into New South Wales and has a subtropical to temperate (hot summer) climate in the south.

Dominated by eucalypt woodland, with acacia forests and woodlands in the west.
Rainforest and vine thickets, heath and eucalypt open woodlands are scattered throughout with small pockets of eucalypt open forests.
Grasslands, melaleuca communities and mangroves occur on the coast.

The region has been substantially cleared with major land uses of grazing, state forests, nature conservation (including Carnarvon National Park), cropping (dryland cereals and cotton, legumes and oilseeds), grazing on modified pastures and some irrigated cotton in the south. The major vegetation groups cleared are acacia forests and woodlands, eucalypt woodlands, eucalypt open woodlands, tussock grasslands and rainforests and vine thickets.

Brigalow Belt North

This subcoastal belt occurs east of the Great Dividing Range and includes the Fitzroy and Burdekin Rivers. It has a subtropical, dry winter climate.

Dominated by eucalypt woodland, eucalypt open woodland, acacia forests and woodlands and patches of eucalypt open forests, rainforest and vine thickets and tussock grasslands.
Coastal communities include melaleuca, acacia open woodlands, mangroves and samphires.

This bioregion has been substantially cleared (47%). The major land uses are grazing of native and modified pastures, native forestry, dryland and irrigated cropping and some nature conservation. Cropping in the south is mainly for cereals and irrigated sugar on the coast near Townsville. Major vegetation groups cleared are acacia forests and woodlands, eucalypt woodlands, eucalypt open woodlands and patches of tussock grasslands, rainforests and vine thickets, eucalypt open forests and melaleuca communities on the coast.

Desert Uplands

This region in central northern Queensland consists of sand plains with a hot, dry climate.

Dominated by eucalypt woodland and open woodland with scattered occurrences of acacia forests and woodlands and small areas of hummock and tussock grasslands, eucalypt open forests and wetland communities.

Large areas have been cleared (12%) to south and north. Major land uses are grazing of native and some modified pastures, small areas of nature conservation (e.g. White Mountains National Park) and a very small area of cropping in the east.

Map: Major Vegetation Groups in (circa 1997)

Source:

Major vegetation groups V1.0 (1km), National Land and Water Resources Audit 2001. Data used are assumed to be correct from suppliers.

Map: Extent of the National Vegetation Information System data

What is the area of major vegetation groups in (circa 1997)?

Table 2: Area of present vegetation groups in (circa 1997)
Major Vegetation Group	Area (km²)	% total extent
Cleared / modified native vegetation	304,043	17.6
Rainforest and vine thickets	19,558	1.1
Eucalyptus tall open forests	429	0
Eucalyptus open forest	35,150	2
Eucalyptus low open forest	111	0
Eucalyptus woodlands	367,293	21.2
Acacia forest and woodlands	91,534	5.3
Callitris forest and woodlands	4,134	.2
Casuarina forest and woodlands	1,545	.1
Melaleuca forest and woodlands	70,014	4
Other forests and woodlands	49,266	2.8
Eucalyptus open woodlands	134,421	7.8
Tropical Eucalyptus woodland/grasslands	20,653	1.2
Acacia open woodlands	36,734	2.1
Mallee woodlands and shrublands	14	0
Low closed forest and closed shrublands	445	0
Acacia shrublands	100,660	5.8
Other Shrublands	16,419	.9
Heath	470	0
Tussock grasslands	282,547	16.3
Hummock grasslands	91,809	5.3
Other grasslands, herblands, sedgelands and rushlands	4,771	.3
Chenopod shrub, samphire shrub and forblands	81,944	4.7
Mangroves, tidal mudflat, samphire and bare areas, claypan, sand, rock, salt lakes, lagoons, lakes	15,143	.9

Methods

The decision framework that underpinned compilation of the range of mapped present vegetation data sets into the National Vegetation Information System hierarchy is provided in Appendix 9.

Major vegetation groups that were mapped represent the dominant vegetation occurring in a particular area.

Applications

Appendix 1 presents the area and type of major vegetetation group in each IBRA bioregion. Information collated into a consistent framework can be used to report on Australia's native vegetation using any defined region selected by users.

Information about the extent and type of remaining native vegetation can be integrated with other key data sets to understand:

landscape function;
remaining habitats;
opportunities for catchment rehabilitation, whether the issue is catchment hydrology or dryland salinity control;
priorities for protection and rehabilitation, ensuring remaining native vegetation is representative of Australia's pre-European communities; and
the contribution of native vegetation to land use planning and sustainable use of Australia's natural resources.

Limitations

Native regrowth and native plantings have not been specifically mapped or compiled into the National Vegetation Information System. Much of the mapping compiled in the National Vegetation Information System does not include small native vegetation remnants such as road reserves, travelling stock routes and undeveloped lands within farming landscapes.

The National Vegetation Information System data sets have the greatest reliability in mapping the type and extent of the native vegetation. Additional data used to compile an Australia-wide map of major vegetation groups should be considered an interim product and provides broad scale information on native vegetation.

The aggregation into major vegetation groups for summary analysis purposes simplifies the health of data provided for collation under the National Vegetation Information System, with the species and type detail behind all mapping programs provided in lower categories of the hierarchy.

The Guidelines section provides guidelines on the use of the information and Appendix 8 presents information on the sources of data that have been collated into the National Vegetation Information System to represent Australia's native vegetation including the extent, scale and date of collection. Figures 9 and 10 provide information on the location and extent of data sets, their scale and level of classification used to develop the major vegetation groups.

The State and Territory summaries of present vegetation also provide guidelines on the use of the information.

What is the extent of native vegetation in (circa 1997)?

Map: Extent of native vegetation in QLD (circa 1997) - green areas

Area of native vegetation remaining (km²): 772,452 km²

Percent remaining native vegetation: 72%

Methods

The analysis of native vegetation extent is based on the compiled information, as detailed in previous sections.

Limitations

As noted in the previous section, the age of the data sets, their accuracy and the attributes mapped vary.

Woody cover is over-represented in central and western New South Wales and Tasmania due to the age of the data sets available for compilation into the National Vegetation Information System and development of the major vegetation groups. Some regions within these States have experienced much higher levels of clearing than reported. More accurate information for New South Wales and Tasmania is available from those States.

Native and derived grasslands are often not well mapped particularly in mapping coverages from South Australia, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Link to native vegetation information for 's bioregions

Navigable map of (with IBRA5.1 boundaries included)

Map of cleared native vegetation information for Australia's bioregions

Knowledge, data and information gaps

The compilation of native vegetation information has highlighted a number of gaps in our knowledge, the data and information about Australia's native vegetation.

References

View the references used in the Australian Native Vegetation Assessment 2001.

Partnerships

Australian Native Vegetation Assessment 2001 was facilitated and coordinated by the National Land and Water Resources Audit and prepared in partnership with State, Territory and Commonwealth agencies: