Noosa Biosphere Reserve facts for kids

This page is about the biosphere reserve in Queensland. For other uses, see Noosa (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Noosa Biosphere Reserve Queensland
Noosa Biosphere Reserve Location in Queensland
Established	2007
Area	1,500 km² (579.2 sq mi)
Website	Noosa Biosphere Reserve
Footnotes	Coordinates

The Noosa Biosphere Reserve is a special protected area in Queensland, Australia. It covers the beautiful region of Noosa, including its beaches, forests, and rivers. The United Nations (UNESCO) recognized it as a Biosphere Reserve. This was because it has so many different kinds of plants and animals in a fairly small space.

It was the first Biosphere Reserve in Queensland, set up in September 2007. The reserve follows the Noosa Shire Council boundaries. It also extends about 3 kilometers offshore. In total, it covers a huge area of 150,000 hectares. A local non-profit group called Noosa Biosphere Limited (NBL) helps manage it. Many local community members are part of its governance and help protect this special place.

A Look Back: History of Noosa Biosphere

The Noosa Biosphere Reserve was officially named a protected area by UNESCO in 2007. This recognition helps protect the area's amazing nature. In 2018, the reserve's special status was confirmed again. This was to help the community live in a way that protects the natural environment for the future.

Nature's Wonders: Ecology of Noosa

The Noosa Biosphere Reserve is in a unique spot. It's where tropical and cooler climate zones meet. This mix creates an amazing variety of landscapes. You can find rainforests, beaches, woodlands, and wetlands here. There are also lakes, rivers, and mountains.

This special location helps many different plants and animals thrive. It's a hotspot for many species. This means you can find a huge number of different living things here. Many species are also endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else.

The reserve includes several important National Parks. These are Noosa National Park, Noosa River National Park, Great Sandy National Park, and Mount Pinbarren National Park. There are also three State Forests: Ringtail, Yurol, and Toolara. Four Forest Reserves and nine Conservation Parks also protect parts of this area. These include Mt Cooroy and Sheep Island. Eight nature refuges are also part of the protection plan.

Green Giants: Flora of Noosa

The Noosa Biosphere Reserve is home to many types of plants. These include rainforests, eucalypt forests, and mangroves. You can also find heathlands, dunes, and plants that live in freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Some important plant species here are the glossy spice bush (Triunia robusta) and pineapple zamia (Macrozamia pauli-guilielmi). There are also swamp orchids (Phaius australis/tancarvilleae).

Plants and Animals: A Special Connection

Certain plants are very important for local animals. For example, the Allocasuarina trees are a main food source for the vulnerable glossy black-cockatoo. Two types, Allocasuarina rigida and Allocasuarina littoralis, are eaten most often.

Eucalyptus trees are also very important for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Studies have shown that koalas choose their homes based on where these trees grow. The glossy spice bush (Triunia robusta) is an endangered plant. Most of its population lives near the Maroochy River.

Amazing Creatures: Fauna of Noosa

The Noosa Biosphere Reserve is a crucial place for wildlife. It's part of a special zone for birds called the Endemic Bird Area. This reserve is home to over 300 bird species. This is about 44% of all Australian resident bird species. Many migratory birds also visit here.

Amphibians: Frogs and Their Homes

The reserve is home to the giant barred frog (Mixophyes iteratus) and cascade tree frog (Litoria pearsoniana). Both are listed as threatened species. Other frogs like the wallum froglet (Crinia tinnula) also live here. These species have seen their numbers drop in Australia. This is part of a global problem for amphibians.

Reptiles: Scaly Friends

Threatened reptile species in the area include the flatback turtle (Natator depressus) and loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). The collared delma (Delma torquata) and the three-toed snake-tooth skink are also at risk. Reptiles and amphibians help us understand the health of the environment.

Birds: Feathered Wonders

Many important bird species live in the Noosa Biosphere Reserve. These include the square-tailed kite (Lophoictinia isura) and the red goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiates). You can also find the black-breasted button-quail (Turnix melanogaster) and the glossy black cockatoo (Calyptohynchus lathami erebus).

The woodlands in the reserve are perfect homes for many birds. Glossy black cockatoos need large tree hollows to breed. This species is vulnerable in Queensland. The black-breasted button-quail and the eastern ground parrot are also vulnerable.

Some birds are even more at risk. The red goshawk, Coxen’s fig parrot, and the swift parrot are endangered. The swift parrot is a migratory bird. It breeds in Tasmania and flies to mainland Australia for winter. It also needs tree hollows for shelter. The black-breasted button-quail lives in rainforests, while the eastern ground parrot lives in heathlands.

Mammals: Furry Residents

Important mammals in the reserve include the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and the tiger quoll (Dasyurus maculatus). You might also find the greater long-eared bat (Nyctophilus timoriensis) and the false water rat (Xeromys myoides).

Large marine mammals like the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and the dugong (Dugong dugon) also visit. Koalas and humpback whales get a lot of attention for their protection. However, smaller species like the greater long-eared bat and false water-rat also need help. Their numbers are decreasing. Dugong numbers are also falling, and they are a vulnerable species.

Fish: Underwater Life

Fish species found here include the Duncker’s pipehorse (Solegnathis dunckeri). The Mary River cod (Maccullochella peelii mariensis) and oxleyan pygmy perch (Nannoperca oxleyana) also live here. The Mary River cod was not protected until the 1990s. This led to a big drop in its numbers and genetic diversity.

Invertebrates: Tiny but Important

The reserve is home to the yabby (Cherax punctatus) and swamp crayfish (Tenuibranchiurus glypticus). Two butterfly species are also here: the Richmond birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia) and the Australian fritillary (Argyreus hyoerbius inconstans). Both butterflies are threatened. The Richmond birdwing is vulnerable, and the Australian fritillary is endangered.

Challenges: Environmental Threats to Noosa

The Noosa Biosphere Reserve faces many threats. These can harm its plants and animals.

Air Traffic and Habitat Loss

One big threat is a proposed flight path for the new Sunshine Coast Airport. Low-flying passenger jets could fly over the Noosa Biosphere area. This could damage natural ecosystems and cause the reserve to lose its special status.

Other threats include clearing land for buildings and farming. Logging, littering, and too much tourism also cause problems. Fires, both natural and planned, can also affect the area.

Climate Change and Water Issues

Climate change is a major threat. More severe tropical cyclones are expected. Rising sea levels could cause more flooding. This would lead to beach erosion and damage to the ecosystem.

Wetlands like Lake Weyba and Noosa River Wetlands are at risk from rising sea levels and flooding. This directly threatens animals like the false water-rat. Fish species like the oxleyan pygmy perch have fewer numbers. This is due to pollution in streams and changes in water flow.

Marine animals like dugongs and turtles are threatened by less seagrass. Seagrass is their main food source. Loggerhead turtle eggs and babies are also at high risk from predators.

Diseases and Invasive Species

Amphibians are threatened by a fungal disease called chytridiomycosis. This disease has caused the cascade tree frog population to decline. The giant barred frog is sometimes mistaken for the cane toad and harmed. The cane toad also eats the eggs and babies of ground-nesting birds.

Invasive weeds are a big problem. They can choke native plants or take over land after fires. Lantana (Lantana camara) is a very harmful weed. It threatens over 250 native plants and 24 native animals. Reptiles and amphibians, including the cascade tree frog, are also at risk from Lantana.

Other invasive weeds include Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia elegans) and camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora). The Richmond birdwing butterfly lays its eggs on Dutchman’s pipe. But this vine is poisonous to its larvae. Camphor laurel trees are toxic to native birds, especially parrots. Their seeds and flowers can cause death or make birds unable to have babies.

Past Actions and Their Impact

Past logging of rainforests and woodlands has destroyed homes for many bird species. This includes the black-breasted button-quail and the glossy black-cockatoo. Clearing eucalypt forests has also reduced food and homes for koalas.

Protecting Noosa: Management Efforts

The Noosa Biosphere Reserve is like a "Learning Laboratory." It helps managers and experts find the best ways to protect nature. They research different conservation methods to get the best results for the area. The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Management Plan guides these efforts.

Conservation Programs

Conservation efforts focus on protecting different land types. This helps both plants and animals. Key projects include:

Setting aside special conservation areas.
Programs to control weeds.
Promoting fire protection.
Regrowing plants and restoring habitats.
Managing visitors to the area.
Breeding programs for endangered animals.
Programs to prevent beach erosion.
Educating the community about nature.

The Noosa Biosphere Limited also makes sure that state and federal government plans are followed. These include recovery plans for species like the black-breasted button-quail.

Protecting Waterways and Wildlife

Special Fish Habitat Areas (FHAs) like the Noosa River help protect fish. They limit or stop activities that could harm these areas. In 2012, the Noosa River was one of the top five FHAs in Queensland. This shows how well the reserve is working.

Other efforts include tracking koalas to understand their health and locations. They also study koala droppings to help restore their homes. A project to remove weeds along Cooroora Creek helps improve the habitat for the giant barred frog.

Addressing Climate Change

Since 2009, the Noosa Biosphere Reserve has actively worked on addressing climate change. Noosa Biosphere Limited educates the community about climate change. They gather feedback and support government initiatives like Earth Hour. They also get advice from climate change experts.

The reserve also keeps updated lists of all plants and animals. They note their conservation status and any specific issues. A key project is the "State of the Biosphere Report." This report measures the reserve's progress. The reserve also supports research and wants to create a research center. Finally, Noosa Biosphere Limited actively works to upgrade the protection status of important areas. This helps all species in the reserve.