Noosa Biosphere Reserve

Last updated

Noosa Biosphere Reserve
Queensland
Australia Queensland relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Noosa Biosphere Reserve
Coordinates 26°19′50″S152°57′6″E / 26.33056°S 152.95167°E / -26.33056; 152.95167 Coordinates: 26°19′50″S152°57′6″E / 26.33056°S 152.95167°E / -26.33056; 152.95167
Established2007
Area1,500 km2 (579.2 sq mi)
Website Noosa Biosphere Reserve
FootnotesCoordinates [1]

Noosa Biosphere Reserve is an internationally protected area covering the region of Noosa in Queensland, Australia. It is formally recognised as a Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program for its highly diverse ecosystem over a relatively small space. It was the first Biosphere Reserve for the state of Queensland, established in September 2007. The reserve is bound by the Noosa Shire Council boundaries, extending offshore by 3 kilometres (1.9 mi), covering 150,000 hectares (370,000 acres) in total. [2] It is governed by Noosa Biosphere Limited (NBL), a not-for-profit company, which mainly consists of members from the local community who fulfil roles in the governance board, sector boards, and partnerships. Community plays a significant role in the implementation of the Biosphere Reserve guidelines.

Contents

History

The Noosa Biosphere Reserve was established as a protected area by UNESCO in 2007. A designation for the biosphere reserve was reinstated in 2018 for the community to live in sustainability and harmony for the natural environment.

Ecology

Noosa Biosphere Reserve is located in the Macpherson-Macleay overlap, where tropical and temperate zones overlap. [3] The landscape has an extensive composition of rainforests, beaches, woodlands, wetlands, lakes, rivers, forests, and mountains. The Noosa region provides an extremely accommodating landscape for both flora and fauna due to its location in the intersection of the Torresian and Bassian biogeographic regions. [4] It is a major centre of species richness and endemism, [5] supporting speciation and biodiversity. [6]

The reserve includes the following National Parks - Noosa National Park, Noosa River National Park, Great Sandy National Park and Mount Pinbarren National Park. Three State Forests exist: Ringtail, Yurol, and Toolara. Four Forest Reserves exist in this area, including Tewantin Forest Reserve, Woondum Forest Reserve, Noosa Forest Reserve, Tuchekoi Forest Reserve. Nine Conservation Parks are part of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, and focus on the following areas: Mt Cooroy, Tuchekoi, Harry and Gladys Spring, Cooloothin, Sheep Island, Keyser Island, Weyba Creek, Goat Island, and Six-Mile Creek. The following eight nature refuges are included in the protection plan: Arthur Harrold, Bill Huxley, Pender Scrub, Burrawingee, Hilltop, Una and Harold Corbold, Giraween, and Schreibers Road, Cooran. In addition to this, Cooloola (Noosa River) Resource Reserve and Great Sandy Resource Reserve are also included in the region.

Flora

Vegetation types include rainforest, ecotonal forests, eucalypt forests, melaleuca communities, heathlands and sedgelands, mangroves and saline communities, frontal dune and foreshore communities, exposed high dune sand systems, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Significant species in the area include Acronychia littorali, she-oak (Allocasuarina rigida), keys boronia (Boronia keysii), swamp string bark (Eucalyptus conglomerata), Macarthuria complanata, pineapple zamia (Macrozamia pauli-guilielmi), swamp orchids (Phaius australis/tancarvilleae), glossy spice bush (Triunia robusta), and southern penda (Xanthostemon oppositifolius).

The genus Allocasuarina provides the predominant food source for the vulnerable glossy black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), with Allocasuarina rigida and Allocasuarina littoralis being the most commonly consumed. [7] The Koala Habitat Atlas study performed on the former Noosa Shire in 1996/1997 and 2001/2002 confirmed that the genus Eucalyptus is a primary factor in habitat selection for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). [8] The glossy spice bush (Triunia robusta) is currently endangered, and the majority of its population is restricted to Maroochy river area. [9]

Fauna

Amphibians

Located in the Noosa Biosphere Reserve are the giant barred frog (Mixophyes iteratus) and cascade tree frog (Litoria pearsoniana). They are both currently listed as threatened species in the Nature Conservation Act (NCA) 1992. [10] Residing in the same reserve are the wallum froglet (Crinia tinnula), green thighed frog (Litoria brevipalmata), cooloola sedgefrog (Litoria cooloolensis), wallum rocketfrog (Litoria freycineti), and wallum sedgefrog (Litoria olongburensis). These particular species have experienced declining populations in Australia, and are unfortunately part of the global amphibian decline. [11]

Reptiles

Threatened species in the area include the flatback turtle (Natator depressus), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), collared delma (Delma torquata), and the three-toed snake-tooth skink (Coeranoscincus reticulatus). [10] Reptiles, along with amphibians, provide the reserve with indications of the ongoing and future state of the environmental quality. [12]

Birds

The Noosa Biosphere Reserve is a vital element of the BirdLife International designated Endemic Bird Area (EBA) Eastern Australia zone. [13] The reserve houses over 300 bird species, with a dynamic and diverse population encompassing 44% of documented Australian resident bird species population, as well as migratory bird species. [14] Significant species in the area include the square-tailed kite (Lophoictinia isura), red goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiates), black-breasted button-quail (Turnix melanogaster), glossy black cockatoo (Calyptohynchus lathami erebus), Coxen’s fig parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni), swift parrot (Lathamus discolor), eastern ground parrot (Pezoporus wallicus wallicus), and the regent bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus).

The woodlands in the Noosa Biosphere Reserve provide an ideal habitat for many of the bird species mentioned. The glossy black cockatoo (Calyptohynchus lathami erebus) is especially reliant on large woodland tree hollows for breeding. [15] This particular species is currently listed as vulnerable in Queensland, as is the black breasted button-quail (Turnix melanogaster), and the eastern ground parrot (Pezoporus wallicus wallicus). [10] Species with significantly small populations and recognised as endangered by Queensland Government are the red goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiates), Coxen’s fig parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni), and the swift parrot (Lathamus discolor). [10]

The swift parrot (Lathamus discolor) is a nationally endangered migratory bird which breeds only in Tasmania but migrates to mainland Australia for wintering. [16] [17] Its habitat requirements are similar to the glossy black-cockatoo in that it requires shelter in a woodland tree hollow, albeit a smaller size. The habitat requirements of the black breasted button-quail (Turnix melanogaster), and the eastern ground parrot (Pezoporus wallicus wallicus) are somewhat different in that they forage and live in the rainforest vine thickets and heathland floors respectively. [18] [19]

Mammals

Notable species in the reserve include the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), tiger quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), greater long-eared bat (Nyctophilus timoriensis), false water rat (Xeromys myoides), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), and the dugong (Dugong dugon). Both the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) are flagship species in Australia, receiving a great deal of conservation attention from the public. In comparison, species like the greater long-eared bat (Nyctophilus timoriensis) and the false water-rat (Xeromys myoides) are unknown to most of the public, but are nationally vulnerable species, with current studies indicating both require the same level of conservation attention to prevent further decline in abundance and distribution. [19] [20] [21] Even megafauna species dugong (Dugong dugon) numbers are also in steady decline, with extinction forecast for this vulnerable species within this century. [22] [23]

Fish

The Duncker’s pipehorse (Solegnathis dunckeri), Mary River cod (Maccullochella peelii mariensis), and oxleyan pygmy perch (Nannoperca oxleyana) are fish species located in the Noosa Biosphere reserve. Unfortunately the Mary River cod (Maccullochella peelii mariensis) was ignored until the 1980s, and only in 1993 did it receive a formal classification. [24] This has resulted in a dramatic decline in both abundance and genetic diversity for this particular species. [19]

Invertebrates

Species present in the area include the yabby (Cherax punctatus), swamp crayfish (Tenuibranchiurus glypticus), Richmond birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia), and the Australian fritillary (Argyreus hyoerbius inconstans). Both of these butterfly species are threatened, with Queensland conservation statuses listing them as vulnerable and endangered respectively. [10]

Environmental threats and issues

One major current threat is the proposed large commercial jet flight path for the new Sunshine Coast Airport runway - the proposed flight paths show that low altitude passenger jets are to fly within the Noosa Biosphere area as well as key surrounding areas. Such a development could destroy natural ecosystems and lead to loss of status.

Previous and current threats to both flora and fauna in the Noosa region include clearing, urban development, logging, agriculture, littering, tourism, fires (including both naturally occurring and scheduled fire regimes), invasive weeds, flooding, sea level rise, pollution, fragmentation, invasive species, boat wake erosion, drainage, and recreational vehicle use. Climate change also threatens the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, with more severe tropical cyclones predicted and further flooding due to rising sea levels anticipated, resulting in dune erosion, shoreline recession, and significant damage to the ecosystem. [25]

Amphibians in the area are under threat from the chytridiomycosis fungal disease, which has been confirmed as a factor in the decline of the cascade tree frog (Litoria pearsoniana) population in southeast Queensland. [26] Additionally, the giant barred frog (Mixophyes iteratus) has suffered at the hands of the public due to being mistaken for the cane toad (Bufo marinus), indirectly contributing to its decline. [27] The cane toad (Bufo marinus) has also had a direct effect on ground nesting bird species in the area, including them and their eggs as part of their diet. [28]

Weed invasion is significantly threatening the area, either suffocating native flora, or colonising areas after fires have cleared land. [29] Lantana (Lantana camara) is an Australian Weed of National Significance (WoNS) and significantly threatens over 250 native plant species and 24 native animal species. [30] Reptiles with ground-dwelling habits, particularly skinks and amphibians, including the cascade tree frog (Litoria pearsoniana), are included as species that are also threatened by Lantana (Lantana camara). [31] [32] Other invasive weeds present in the Noosa Biosphere Reserve are Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia elegans) and camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora). Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia elegans), an introduced vine, is used by the Richmond birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia) to lay its eggs, unaware that this particular vine is toxic to its larvae. [33] Camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) is a toxic introduced tree that threatens native birds in the Noosa region, particularly parrots, due to its toxic seeds and flowers, which are contributing to death or sterility in these species. [34]

Previous logging of rainforest and woodland in the Noosa region has led to habitat loss and fragmentation for many bird species, particularly for the black-breasted button-quail (Turnix melanogaster), Coxen’s fig-parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni), glossy black-cockatoo (Calyptohynchus lathami erebus), and the swift parrot (Lathamus discolor). [15] [35] [36] Previous clearing of eucalypt forests has also affected the primary food source and habitat of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). [8]

Wetlands of national importance in the Noosa region, such as Lake Weyba and Noosa River Wetlands, are threatened by sea level rise, further flooding, and climate change. [37] This directly affects and threatens the habitat of the false water-rat (Xeromys myoides). [21] Fish species, such as the oxleyan pygmy perch (Nannoperca oxleyana) have had their abundance reduced in Noosa due to man-made stream contaminants, lack of stream flow, and introduced species. [38]

Marine animals that frequent the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, such as the dugong (Dugong dugon), flatback turtle (Natator depressus), and the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) are threatened by the decline in seagrasses, their primary food source. [22] [39] In addition to this threat, the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)’s eggs and hatchlings are at high risk of predation. [40]

Management

The designation of Noosa as a Biosphere Reserve offers managers and stakeholders with a learning environment where they can research and investigate different conservation approaches to deliver the best outcomes for the area. [41] Essentially, the Biosphere Reserve is a ‘Learning Laboratory’ that encourages sustainable development of the designated area. [42] The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Management Plan (2009-2012) and the Noosa Biosphere Reserve website provide guidance to deliver sustainable conservation to the protected area and the species contained within.

Conservation for the Biosphere Reserve is mostly aimed at protecting and preserving the different land cover types present in the area. This results in flora protection which directly benefits the fauna within. Specifically, the main projects coordinated for conservation of the area include: designated conservation areas, weed management programs, promotion of fire protection, regeneration and revegetation, specific planning controls, visitor management, captive breeding programs, control programs for beach erosion prevention, use management, transfer of transition land into buffer zone and buffer land into core zone, and education and awareness. [43] In addition to this, specific recovery plans and conservation guidelines mandated by the either state or federal government are enforced via Noosa Biosphere Limited for the Noosa Biosphere Reserve. This includes plans such as the ‘National Recovery Plan for the black-breasted button-quail Turnix melanogaster’ and ‘Commonwealth Conservation Advice on Triunia robusta’.

Designation of Fish Habitat Areas (FHA) in Queensland, such as the Noosa River and Maroochy Pumicestone Channel, are aimed at conserving fish diversity by restricting or eliminating disturbance to these areas. In 2012, the Noosa River ranked in the top five FHAs of the state, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve. [44] Other conservation efforts in the area include koala tracking to identify conditions and locations, as well as research involving surveys on koala faecal-pellets in Noosa Shire to contribute to the effective restoration of their habitat. [8] [45] Riparian weed control along a degraded section of Cooroora Creek, Pomona, is a current project in the Biosphere Reserve that will improve the habitat of the giant barred frog (Mixophyes iteratus). [46]

Climate change has been actively discussed and progressed on the agenda since 2009 for the Noosa Biosphere Reserve. Active steps have been taken by Noosa Biosphere Limited to address climate change, including continually educating and engaging the community about climate change and its potential effect on the area, gathering community feedback on the issue, promoting government initiatives such as the Queensland Premier’s ClimateSmart Sustainability Awards and Earth Hour, engaging climate change experts for advice and guidance, supporting carbon pollution legislation, and a draft ‘Noosa Climate Action Plan’ created in 2011. [45] In addition to the above, Noosa Biosphere Limited has also compiled and updated lists of both fauna and flora present in the area, noting issues such as state significance, commonwealth significance, scientific names, conservation status, and regionally specific comments. A key project for the reserve, starting from the 2012/2013 financial year, is the production of the ‘State of the Biosphere Report’ to measure its progress. [45] Research is supported by the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, with a research centre proposed for the area. Lastly, Noosa Biosphere Limited is an active advocate of upgrading conservation statuses of protected zones. This will provide further stability for all species in the area, along with all of the other measures currently endorsed by the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.

See also

Related Research Articles

Brisbane Water National Park Protected area in New South Wales, Australia

The Brisbane Water National Park is a protected national park that is located in the Central Coast region of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The 11,506-hectare (28,430-acre) national park is situated 47 kilometres (29 mi) north of Sydney, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) west of Woy Woy, and 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) southwest of Gosford.

Nightcap National Park Protected area in New South Wales, Australia

The Nightcap National Park is a national park situated within the Nightcap Range in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. The 8,080-hectare (20,000-acre) park was created in April 1983 and is situated 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Lismore. The national park is classed by the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas as Category II and is part of the Shield Volcano Group of the World Heritage Site Gondwana Rainforests of Australia inscribed in 1986 and added to the Australian National Heritage List in 2007.

Freycinet National Park Protected area in Tasmania, Australia

Freycinet National Park is a national park on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia, 125 km northeast of Hobart. It occupies a large part of the Freycinet Peninsula, named after French navigator Louis de Freycinet, and Schouten Island. Founded in 1916, it is Tasmania's oldest park, along with Mount Field National Park. Bordering the national park is the small settlement of Coles Bay, and the largest nearby town is Swansea. Freycinet contains part of the rugged Tasmanian coastline and includes the secluded Wineglass Bay. Features of the park include its red and pink granite formations and a series of jagged granite peaks in a line, called "The Hazards".

Conondale National Park Protected area in Queensland, Australia

Conondale National Park is 130 km north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland near the town of Conondale in the south east Queensland bioregion. The park covers an area of 35,648 hectares protecting large areas of subtropical rainforest, woodlands, wet and dry sclerophyll forest including Queensland's tallest tree. The park contains areas of regenerating forest which have been previously logged; areas of forest plantations also border the park. The park is currently managed by the Queensland Government under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

Mooloolah River National Park Protected area in Queensland, Australia

The Mooloolah River National Park is a nationally protected area located on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. It covers an area of 830.9 hectares and is bordered by the Mooloolah River to the east, Claymore and Dixon Roads to the west, and the Lower Mooloolah River Environmental Reserve to the south. It is bisected by the Sunshine Motorway with the northern, 161.93 hectare component of the Park being a later addition. The Park was initially vacant crown land prior to national park designation in 1960. Surrounding land uses include livestock grazing, urban development and the campus of the University of the Sunshine Coast. It is the second largest mainland park on the coastal lowlands in South East Queensland after Noosa National Park and represents an example of low-lying coastal floodplain distinctive of the region.

Mount Pinbarren is a national park in Queensland, Australia, 129 km north of Brisbane. It is located in Pinbarren, a locality in the Shire of Noosa. Mount Pinbarren lies within the South East Queensland bioregion and the Mary River catchment area.

Noosa National Park Protected area in Queensland, Australia

Noosa National Park is a national park in Queensland, Australia, 121 km north of Brisbane. It is situated near Noosa Heads between the Pacific Ocean and the Sunshine Coasts's northern area of urban development and extends southwards, past Lake Weyba to Coolum.

Night parrot Endangered Australian species of bird

The night parrot is a small parrot endemic to the continent of Australia. It has also been known as porcupine parrot, nocturnal ground parakeet, midnight cockatoo, solitaire, spinifex parrot and night parakeet. It is one of the most elusive and mysterious birds in the world, with no confirmed sightings of the bird between 1912 and 1979, leading to speculation that it was extinct. Sightings since 1979 have been extremely rare and the bird's population size is unknown, though based on the paucity of records it is thought to number between 50 and 249 mature individuals, and it is classified by the IUCN as an endangered species.

Threatened fauna of Australia Animals at risk of becoming extinct

Threatened fauna of Australia are those species and subspecies of birds, fish, frogs, insects, mammals, molluscs, crustaceans and reptiles to be found in Australia that are in danger of becoming extinct. This list is the list proclaimed under the Australian federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The classifications are based on those used by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), however IUCN and Australian rankings do differ. Each state and territory has its own legislation relating to environmental protection.

Glossy black cockatoo Species of cockatoo from Australia

The glossy black cockatoo, is the smallest member of the subfamily Calyptorhynchinae found in eastern Australia. Adult glossy black cockatoos may reach 50 cm (19.5 in) in length. They are sexually dimorphic. Males are blackish brown, except for their prominent red tail bands; the females are dark brownish with some yellow spotting. Three subspecies are recognised.

Swift parrot Critically endangered species of Australian bird

The swift parrot is a species of broad-tailed parrot, found only in southeastern Australia. The species breeds in Tasmania during the summer and migrates north to south eastern mainland Australia from Griffith-Warialda in New South Wales and west to Adelaide in the winter. It is a nomadic migrant, and it settles in an area only when there is food available.

Eastern ground parrot Species of bird

The eastern ground parrot of Australia is one of only five ground-dwelling parrots in the world, the others being its closest relatives, the western ground parrot, the extremely rare night parrot, the somewhat closely related Antipodes parakeet, and the unrelated highly endangered kakapo from New Zealand.

Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area is a heritage-listed military installation at Byfield Road, Byfield, Shire of Livingstone, Queensland, Australia. It is a large, relatively undisturbed and intact natural system with a wide variety of coastal landforms and a high level of biodiversity. It contains a diverse range of marine and coastal wetland landscapes, vegetation types and ecosystems. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.

Black-breasted buttonquail Species of bird

The black-breasted buttonquail is a rare buttonquail endemic to eastern Australia. Like other buttonquails, it is unrelated to the true quails. The black-breasted buttonquail is a plump quail-shaped bird 17–19 cm (6.7–7.5 in) in length with predominantly marbled black, rufous and pale brown plumage, marked prominently with white spots and stripes, and white eyes. Like other buttonquails, the female is larger and more boldly coloured than the male, with a distinctive black head and neck sprinkled with fine white markings. The usual sex roles are reversed, as the female mates with multiple male partners and leaves them to incubate the eggs.

Livingstone is a national park and state conservation area located 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Wagga Wagga and 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) east of Mangoplah, in the South West Slopes region of south western New South Wales.

Western ground parrot Species of bird

The western ground parrot is an endangered species of parrot endemic to Western Australia and is a close relative of the eastern ground parrot and the somewhat more distantly related and mysterious night parrot. It is one of the world's rarest birds with about 150 individuals remaining as of 2010.

Dharawal National Park Protected area in New South Wales, Australia

The Dharawal National Park is a protected national park that is located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The 6,508-hectare (16,080-acre) national park is situated between the Illawarra Range and the Georges River and is approximately 45 kilometres (28 mi) south west of Sydney. There are three entry points to the park: from the east through Darkes Forest; from the north through Wedderburn; and from the south through Appin.

Glenrock State Conservation Area

Glenrock State Conservation Area is a protected conservation area located eight kilometres south of the central business district of Newcastle in the state of New South Wales, on the east coast of Australia. The park borders the coast and encompasses 534 hectares stretching from the residential suburbs of Merewether to Dudley within the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas.

Wide Bay Military Reserve is a heritage-listed military installation at Tin Can Bay Road, Tin Can Bay, Queensland, Australia. The reserve supports a diverse range of plant communities from estuarine, strand, wetlands, heath, tall shrublands and woodlands, to the open forests of the sub-coastal hills and ranges. The total number of bird species recorded for the place totals 250, which is high by Australian standards. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.

References

  1. "Noosa". Man and the Biosphere Programme. UNESCO.
  2. Noosa Biosphere Limited. 2009. Noosa biosphere reserve management plan. Noosa Biosphere Limited, Noosa, Queensland. Available from http://noosabiosphere.org.au/facts-vision/documents-resources (accessed March 2013).
  3. Burbidge, N. T. 1960. The phytogeography of the Australian region. Australian Journal of Botany 8: 75–211.
  4. Schodde, R., and Calaby, J. H. (1972). The biogeography of the australo-papuan bird and mammal faunas in relation to Torres Strait. Pages 257-300 in D. Walker, editor. Bridge and barrier: the natural and cultural history of the Torres Strait. Ed. Australian National History Press, Canberra.
  5. Crisp, M. D., Laffan, S., Linder, H. P., and A. Monro. 2001. Endemism in the australian flora. Journal of Biogeography 28: 183-198.
  6. Low, T. 2011. Climate change and terrestrial biodiversity in Queensland. Department of Environment and Resource Management, Queensland Government, Brisbane.
  7. Chapman, T. F. 2007. Foods of the glossy black-cockatoo: calyptorhynchus lathami. Australian Field Ornithology 24: 30-36.
  8. 1 2 3 Callaghan, J., McAlpine, C., Mitchell, D., Thompson, J., Bowen, M., Rhodes, J., de Jong, C., Domalewski, R., and Scott, A. 2011. Ranking and mapping koala habitat quality for conservation planning on the basis of indirect evidence of tree-species use: a case study of Noosa Shire, south-eastern Queensland. Wildlife Research 38: 89–102.
  9. Powell, M. A., Accad, A., and Shapcott, A. 2005. Geographic information system (GIS) predictions of past, present habitat distribution and areas for re-introduction of the endangered subtropical rainforest shrub Triunia robusta (Proteaceae) from south-east Queensland Australia. Biological Conservation 123: 165-175
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. 2013. Threatened species. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Queensland. Available from http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/threatened-species/ (accessed April 2013).
  11. Campbell, A., ed. 1999. Declines and disappearances of australian frogs. Environment Australia, Canberra.
  12. Gibbons, J.W., Stangel, P.W., eds. 1999. Conserving amphibians and reptiles in the new millenium. Proceedings of the Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) Conference 2–4 June 1999. Atlanta (GA). Herp Outreach Publication #2.
  13. BirdLife International. 2013. Endemic bird area factsheet: eastern Australia. BirdLife International, United Kingdom. Available from http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebafactsheet.php?id=186 (accessed April 2013).
  14. Noosa Biosphere Limited. 2009. Conservation. Noosa Biosphere Limited, Noosa, Queensland. Available from http://noosabiosphere.org.au/facts-vision/documents-resources (accessed March 2013).
  15. 1 2 Ford, H. A. 2011. The causes of decline of birds of eucalypt woodlands: advances in our knowledge over the last 10 years. EMU 111: 1–9.
  16. Higgins, P. J. ed. 1999. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds. Volume Four - Parrots to Dollarbird. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
  17. Hingston, A. B., and Piech, M. 2011. Eucalypt flower production in the suburbs and bush: implications for the endangered swift parrot lathamus discolor. Pacific Conservation Biology 17: 338-346.
  18. McConnell, P., and Hobson, R. 1995. The diet and behaviour of the black-breasted button-quail turnix melanogaster. Sunbird 25:18-23.
  19. 1 2 3 Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. 2013. Species profile and threat database. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Queensland. Available from http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl (accessed April 2013).
  20. Turbill, C. and Ellis, M. 2006. Distribution and abundance of the south-eastern form of thegreater long-eared bat nyctophilus timoriensis. Australian Mammalogy 28: 1-6.
  21. 1 2 Russell, T.L., and Hale, P.T. 2009. Conservation of the false water rat (xeromys myoides) depends on landscape complementation. Australian Mammalogy 31: 81–87.
  22. 1 2 Short, F.T., Polidoro, B., Livingstone, S. R., Carpenter, Bandeira, S., Bujang, J. S., Calumpong, H. P., Carruthers, T. J. B., Coles, R. G., Dennison, W. C., Erftemeijer, P. L. A., Fortes, M. D., Freeman, A. S., Jagtap, T. G., Kamal, A. H. M., Kendrick, G. A., Kenworthy, W. J., La Nafie, Y. A., Nasution, I. M., Orth, R. J., Prathep, A., Sanciangco, J. C., van Tussenbroek, B., Vergara, S. G., Waycott, M., and Zieman, J. C. 2011. Extinction risk assessment of the world’s seagrass species. Biological Conservation 144: 1961-1971.
  23. Chilvers, B.L., Lawler, I.R. , Macknight, F., Marsh, H., Noad, and M., Paterson, R. 2005. Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia: an example of the co-existence of significant marine mammal populations and large-scale coastal development. Biological Conservation 122: 559-571.
  24. Simpson, R. R., and Mapleston, A. J. 2002. Movements and habitat use by the endangered Australian freshwater Mary River cod, maccullochella peelii mariensis. Environmental Biology of Fishes 65: 401–410.
  25. Zeppel, H. 2012. Local adaptation responses in climate change planning in coastal Queensland. The Australasian Journal of Regional Studies 18: 342-363.
  26. Murray, K. A., Skerratt, L. F., Speare, R., and Mccallum, H. 2009. Impact and dynamics of disease in species threatened by the amphibian chytrid fungus, batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Conservation Biology 23: 1242–1252.
  27. Somaweera, R., Somaweera, and N., Shine, R. 2010. Frogs under friendly fire: How accurately can the general public recognize invasive species? Biological Conservation 143: 1477-1484.
  28. Beckmann, C., and Shine, R. 2012. How many of Australia’s ground-nesting birds are likely to be at risk from the invasive cane toad (Rhinella marina)? EMU 112: 83–89.
  29. Noosa Biosphere Limited. 2009. Conservation. Noosa Biosphere Limited, Noosa, Queensland. Available from http://noosabiosphere.org.au/facts-vision/documents-resources (accessed March 2013).
  30. Turner, P. J. and Downey, P. O. 2010. Ensuring invasive alien plant management delivers biodiversity conservation: insights from an assessment of 'lantana camara' in Australia. Plant Protection Quarterly 25: 102-110.
  31. Virkki, D. A., Tran, C., and Castley, J. G. 2012. Reptile responses to lantana management in a wet sclerophyll forest, Australia. Journal of Herpetology 46: 177-185.
  32. Parris, K. M. 2001. Distribution, habitat requirements and conservation of the cascade treefrog (Litoria pearsoniana, Anura: Hylidae). Biological Conservation 99: 285-292.
  33. Sands, D. 2008. Conserving the Richmond birdwing butterfly over two decades: where to next? Ecological Management & Restoration 9: 4–16.
  34. Friend, J. A. 2006. Forum: invasive and toxic Camphor Laurel - a potential threat to native Australian birds. Australian Field Ornithology 23: 1-7.
  35. Smyth, A.K. and Pavey, C.R. 2001. Foraging by the endangered black-breasted button-quail (turnix melanogaster) within fragmented rainforest of an agricultural landscape. Biological Conservation 98: 149-157
  36. Webb, M. H., Holdsworth, M. C., and Webb, J. 2012. Nesting requirements of the endangered swift parrot (lathamus discolor). EMU 112: 181–188.
  37. Traill, L. W., Perhans, K., Lovelock, C. E., Prohaska, A., McFallan, S., Rhodes, J. R., and Wilson, K. A. 2011. Managing for change: wetland transitions under sea-level rise and outcomes for threatened species. Diversity and Distributions 17: 1225–1233.
  38. Knight, J. T., Arthington, A. H., Holder, G. S., Talbot, R. B. 2012. Conservation biology and management of the endangered oxleyan pygmy perch nannoperca oxleyana in Australia. Endangered Species Research 17: 169-178.
  39. Grech, A., Sheppard, J., Marsh, H. 2011. Informing species conservation at multiple scales using data collected for marine mammal stock assessments. PLoS One 6 (3): e17993. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017993
  40. Engeman, R., Martin, R. E., Woolard, J., Stahl, M., Pelizza, C., Duffiney, A., and Constantin, B. 2012. An ideal combination for marine turtle conservation: exceptional nesting season, with low nest predation resulting from effective low-cost predator management. Oryx 46: 229-235.
  41. Maani K. E., and Cavana R. Y. 2007. Systems thinking, system dynamics: managing change and complexity. 2nd edition. Prentice Hall, Auckland, New Zealand.
  42. Nguyen, N. C., Bosch, O. J. H., and Maani, K. E. 2011. Creating ‘learning laboratories’ for sustainable development in biospheres: a systems thinking approach. Systems Research and Behavioral Science 28: 51–62.
  43. Noosa Biosphere Limited. 2009. Describe and define Noosa biosphere. Noosa Biosphere Limited, Noosa, Queensland. Available from http://noosabiosphere.org.au/facts-vision/documents-resources (accessed March 2013).
  44. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. 2012. Declared fish habitat area network assessment report. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Queensland. Available from http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/managing/pdf/assessment-report.pdf (accessed April 2013).
  45. 1 2 3 Noosa Biosphere Limited. 2013. Current Projects. Noosa Biosphere Limited, Noosa, Queensland. Available from http://noosabiosphere.org.au/get-involved/current-projects (accessed April 2013).
  46. Noosa and District Landcare 2013. Weed control. Noosa and District Landcare , Noosa, Queensland. Available from http://www.noosalandcare.org/weed-control.php (accessed April 2013).