Improve Vegetation
About the Project
The Regional Land Partnership (RLP) Program is funded by the Australian Government, with the goal to build the capacity of land managers to improve the condition and productivity of their properties.
Improving the extent and condition of native vegetation has a marked impact on the holistic functioning of our landscapes.
Common threats to native vegetation include:
- Invasion of introduced species and feral animals
- Impact by clearing and overgrazing
- Bush fire from high fuel loads
Main threat reduction strategies include:
- Control and eradication measures for weeds
- Strategic fencing to manage livestock access and improve grazing management
- Alternative watering points to reduce stock dwell time in native bushland
Backed by Land Managers
Louise and Tom Carroll, Goondiwindi
"We have worked with Southern Queensland Landscapes to manage big infestations of African boxthorn that were impacting on our paddock access and decreasing the biodiversity in our shade lines."
"We took the long hard road of mechanically pulling the majority of the boxthorn infestation, which we hope will significantly reduce the regeneration capacity. This technique was supported by spot spraying. Boxthorn is tricky as it can regenerate from splintered roots, so you need to be super careful when removing it."
It's a great sight to see all the clear pasture in the freshly rejuvenated paddocks." - Tom Carroll.
Sandra and Mick McLoughlin, Millmerran
Sandra and Mick McLoughlin have been working with Firesticks Alliance, through Millmerran Landcare and Southern Queensland Landscapes, to rejuvenate a patch of remnant vegetation using cultural burning techniques.
It was super interesting to listen to and learn from Victor Steffensen, Leeton Lee, and the Bunya People’s Association (BPAC) as they read the Country and carried out a test burn on Ironbark country.
Sandra and Mick are continuing the work based on the recommendations provided and have already seen a great response from the native vegetation.
What is Native Vegetation?
Australia’s native vegetation is one of the most unique and diverse in the world, with southern Queensland home to a huge range of rich and beautiful ecosystems. This diversity sometimes makes it difficult to distinguish between what is native and what is introduced.
Native vegetation can include:
- Grassland
- Shrubland
- Open forests and woodland - including ecosystems such as semi-evergreen vine thicket and Mulga scrub
REMNANT VEGETATION
We consider certain areas of native vegetation to be ‘remnant vegetation’. This means vegetation that has escaped clearing and remains in a predominantly original state. We want to protect these areas, as these remnant patches are very important, with some individual trees pre-dating European colonisation, and providing an insight into the history of our beautiful country.
HIGH VALUE REGROWTH VEGETATION
'High value regrowth vegetation' is also a focus for SQ Landscapes, and is classified as vegetation that has not been cleared for 15 years. These ecosystems are starting to regain the structure and balance of the original systems, and it is vital to continue looking after them.
Examples of native vegetation.
Diversity of Plants Builds Soil
Diversity of plants builds soil was the key message for more than 150 farmers and land managers who converged on Highfields near Toowoomba.
They were attending the Creating Functioning Soils conference hosted by Southern Queensland Landscapes and featuring international soil expert Dr Christine Jones and five local experts.
Watch the video to find out the three things we could all be doing now to improve the function of soils.
What are the Threats to Native Vegetation?
Click on the icons below to learn more about how exotic pest species, grazing practises and bushfires affect native vegetation.
This project is supported by Southern Queensland Landscapes through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
