Attachment 6 - Ecological Assessment

                          Ecological Assessment – Attunga Heights




4 CORRIDORS AND CONNECTIVITY
4.1 Background
The term ‘connectivity’ is used to describe the degree to which the landscape facilitates
or impedes the movement of species among habitat areas (Bélisle 2005). The level of
connectivity between habitat areas in the landscape can be described along a continuum
from high, to medium, to low and isolated.

Landscapes with high levels of connectivity form an unbroken expanse of habitat through
which a wide range of the inhabitant species are able to easily move and select high
quality habitats. Landscapes with low levels of connectivity are characterised by habitat
areas that are separated by wide gaps and where the quality and quantity of remaining
habitat is reduced (habitat fragmentation). Habitat fragmentation impedes the
movement of species among remaining suitable habitat areas (Andrén 1994; Fahrig 2003)
and generally restricts movement to all but the most mobile of species.

At a broad landscape scale, maintaining habitat connectivity is necessary to maintain the
viability of species populations in the long term (Beier and Noss 1998). In fragmented
landscapes, corridors of native vegetation (ecological corridors) connect larger habitat
areas and can enhance landscape connectivity by:

      providing habitat for fauna and flora species; and
      facilitating the movement and dispersal of fauna and flora species between larger
       and/or more suitable habitat areas in the landscape.

The following sections provide an assessment of the corridor and connectivity values of
native vegetation on the site and surrounding areas.



4.2 Recognition of Corridor Values On or Near the Subject Site
State, regional and local corridors in south-east Queensland have been identified in the
Biodiversity Planning Assessment (BPA): South East Queensland South Landscape Expert
Panel Report (EPA 2006). The majority of the site is mapped within a State corridor
(FIGURE 9).

The majority of the site is mapped as occurring within an Environmental Protection Area
by Noosa Shire Council, however Council provides no specific corridor mapping.



4.3 Site Assessment
Existing approved development surrounds the subject site to the west, east and south,
however a continuous vegetated corridor follows the creek line from the north of the site
through to the site’s south-eastern corner. Movements of fauna on and off the site are
therefore restricted in most directions, excepting this corridor.




Job No: Q12038/Rw1                      JWA Pty Ltd                                   26