Evaluating and Identifying Environmentally Sensitive Roadside Vegetation Management Strategies in the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, Australia
Event Type
Research Presentation
Academic Department
Biology
Location
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Start Date
26-4-2024 1:30 PM
End Date
26-4-2024 3:00 PM
Description
The Atherton Tablelands in the Wet Tropics of Australia is one of the most biodiverse areas in the country. In response to the high biodiversity of this area, the Tablelands Regional Council (TRC) has put forth several policies and strategies to protect this area's rich and unique natural assets and mitigate the climate crisis. TRC is creating a Vegetation Management Plan, including a Roadside Vegetation Management (RVM) policy. This project evaluated the current roadside vegetation management practices of TRC, in light of TRC's commitments to climate risk management, to aid in developing the RVM policy. This was done by reviewing literature, conducting informal conversations with community members, TRC workers and council members, as well as visiting several locations being impacted by current vegetation management practices. While visiting these locations, we observed the damage done to vegetation and photographed the damage. The evaluation results identified roadside locations where the current practices are likely to have adverse environmental impacts. Based on an extensive literature review on the economic and ecological aspects of roadside vegetation management practices, it is recommended that grassy vegetation be replaced with native, low growing shrubs or planting a tree alley to shade out current vegetation. Implementing these practices would enable TRC to reach its goals regarding climate change risk responses, emission reductions, and biodiversity protection. These alternatives were selected due to their economic viability and alignment with TRC's existing policies and goals. It is recommended that a future case study area be used to test the economic and environmental benefits of the proposed alternative RVM practices.
Evaluating and Identifying Environmentally Sensitive Roadside Vegetation Management Strategies in the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, Australia
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
The Atherton Tablelands in the Wet Tropics of Australia is one of the most biodiverse areas in the country. In response to the high biodiversity of this area, the Tablelands Regional Council (TRC) has put forth several policies and strategies to protect this area's rich and unique natural assets and mitigate the climate crisis. TRC is creating a Vegetation Management Plan, including a Roadside Vegetation Management (RVM) policy. This project evaluated the current roadside vegetation management practices of TRC, in light of TRC's commitments to climate risk management, to aid in developing the RVM policy. This was done by reviewing literature, conducting informal conversations with community members, TRC workers and council members, as well as visiting several locations being impacted by current vegetation management practices. While visiting these locations, we observed the damage done to vegetation and photographed the damage. The evaluation results identified roadside locations where the current practices are likely to have adverse environmental impacts. Based on an extensive literature review on the economic and ecological aspects of roadside vegetation management practices, it is recommended that grassy vegetation be replaced with native, low growing shrubs or planting a tree alley to shade out current vegetation. Implementing these practices would enable TRC to reach its goals regarding climate change risk responses, emission reductions, and biodiversity protection. These alternatives were selected due to their economic viability and alignment with TRC's existing policies and goals. It is recommended that a future case study area be used to test the economic and environmental benefits of the proposed alternative RVM practices.