Major vegetation management issues in Queensland: tree clearing, grazing and weeds

Abstract

Habitat alteration is the major vegetation management issue in Queensland. Alteration takes many forms: from physical alteration through clearing, to composition and productivity changes due to grazing, through to complete species replacement by exotic species. While the issue of tree clearing is widely debated in scientific circles and the general public, grazing and weed management are much less prominent issues. Consequently, the debate about vegetation management is unbalanced. Attempts to protect the environmental and production resources of Queensland must involve the analysis of all issues if sound management practices are to be developed. The history, current issues and future trends for each of the forms of habitat alteration are discussed.