RFI - Ecological Assessment Report

 

2.0 SITE ECOLOGY

2.1 PREVIOUS STUDIES

The site has been the subject of a number of flora and fauna studies. A flora and fauna
survey was completed on the site by Peter Parker in 1997. Greening Australia (2001)
completed additional flora survey in 2001 and 2003 for the purpose of preparing a
Vegetation Management Plan for the site. JWA completed a brief ecological investigation in
2002 and 2004.

2.2 FLORA

Parker (1997) recorded a total of 14 vegetation associations in 10 communities.

Vegetation on elevated areas of the site generally consists of dry sclerophyll forest and
woodland with pink bloodwood, forest red gum, brushbox, sand cypress and a midstorey of
black she-oak, wattles, banksias and other sclerophyllous shrubs. Areas of vegetation on
the dunes consist of relatively recent regrowth, contain a significant proportion of weed
species and have been disturbed to varying degrees in the past.

Wetter areas at the foot of sandy dunes contain swamp sclerophyll forest types dominated
by broad-leaved paperbark and swamp mahogany.

Low-lying parts of the site contain extensive areas of wet heath vegetation with pockets of
sedgeland, fernland and grassland. Intertidal areas of mangrove and saltmarsh occur on
the estuarine fringe.

A narrow band of littoral rainforest occurs on the landward side of the intertidal vegetation
fringing Noosa Inlet.

2.3 FAUNA COMMUNITIES

The fauna component of the Parker (1997) included a trapping program and recorded three
species of significance ie. koala, glossy black-cockatoo and wallum froglet. Scientists from
JWA completed additional ecological investigations on the site in 2002. This latter
assessment focussed on elevated areas in the northern and eastern portions of the site.

The low-lying habitats characterised by wet heath and paperbark vegetation are considered
to be in reasonable condition and are likely to provide habitat for a range of fauna species
(including significant species such as acid frogs, Lewin’s rail and painted snipe) (JWA 2003).

The habitat value of eucalypt forest on elevated dune areas is reduced somewhat by
previous site disturbance (including clearing) and the subsequent proliferation of weed
species (and regrowth). The absence of mature hollow-bearing trees also reduces the value

 

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MAY 2005
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