Plants
Queensland has the greatest variety of native plant groups in Australia. More than 8000 species of flowering plants, gymnosperms and ferns are native to Queensland. Some species are found nowhere else in the world.
Most of these native plant species are considered non-threatened but more than 1000 (about 13 percent) are vulnerable or endangered.
Research provides vital information about how best to conserve Queensland's native plants and plant communities.
The Queensland Herbarium
The Queensland Herbarium is the state's storehouse of information about plants and plant communities. This state government research institution studies, describes and names plants and records the floristics, structure, distribution and conservation status of Queensland's plant communities.
A census of Queensland's flora has been published listing 12,240 currently known native and naturalised species of flowering plants, gymnosperms, ferns, algae, lichens and mosses.
During 1996–97 for example, 15,571 plant specimens were added to the Herbarium's collection and 33 new plant species were named and described.
Recent research projects
Research into plants and plant communities is undertaken throughout the state. Here is a small selection of some recent studies.
- The forest resources of South East Queensland are currently being assessed. As part of this study, vegetation survey and mapping has been done for 90 percent of the South East Queensland biogeographic region.
- The University of Queensland Gatton College and the Department of Primary Industries have conducted research into a serious dieback of pandanus trees on Noosa National Park. A native leaf hopper is the culprit.
- A seagrass monitoring program under way in Moreton Bay provides useful information for an ongoing review of turtle and dugong habitats in the bay.
Last updated: 26 October 2009