R&D Queensland forum on ecosystems
Background
Queensland Government science, research and development
The Queensland Government invests in science, research and development to provide the
knowledge, technologies and tools necessary to meet the challenges and harness the opportunities
for a strong, green, smart, healthy and fair Queensland. It does this by performing science and
research in-house, commissioning research, partnering with research organisations, and facilitating
research through grants, fellowships and infrastructure development.
Research and development (R&D) includes original activities undertaken to increase our
stock of knowledge, and the application of this knowledge to devise new methods and
applications. Projects range from improving our understanding of ecosystem processes, to
the development of innovative technologies to improve environmental management
practices.
Other science activities support Government management and regulatory responsibilities
in areas such as compliance monitoring, pollution assessment, environmental planning and
scientific information services. These use existing knowledge and techniques to support
policy initiatives and programs, to provide the community with information to make
sustainable decisions, and to address environmental incidents.
In 2008-09, the Queensland Government reported R&D valued at $567 million, including $384
million from the Queensland Government budget and $183 million leveraged from other sources. It
also invested substantial funds in other science activities.
Queensland R&D Investment Strategy 2010-2020
To maximise the outcomes of R&D investments, the Queensland Government established R&D
Queensland. R&D Queensland is a committee of senior Government representatives tasked with
coordinating R&D investments across the Government’s 13 departments, and integrating them with
the Government’s Toward Q2 Strategy. Its progress is reported to Cabinet each year.
As part of its role, R&D Queensland developed the Queensland R&D Investment Strategy 20102020, including 14 R&D objectives, each with a profile setting out the R&D required to achieve the
objective.1
Science and
ecosystems
R&D
to
protect
and
restore
Queensland’s
Queensland is home to some of the world’s most unique and valuable ecosystems and species,
including the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics. Not only is the
preservation of ecosystems fundamental to our quality of life and cultural heritage, but each year,
Queensland’s ecosystems provide billions of dollars of goods and services (e.g. tourism and
fishing) that underpin the State’s economy. Ecosystem services also support agriculture through
crop pollination, erosion prevention and nutrient dispersal and cycling, provide food and clean
drinking water, and support water purification and carbon sequestration.
But Queensland’s ecosystems, and the many goods and services that they sustain, are under
threat from climate change, increasing demand for urban and agricultural land, detrimental industry
and community environmental practices, and invasive plants, animals and diseases. Of
1
The Queensland R&D Investment Strategy 2010-20 is available at www.chiefscientist.qld.gov.au/research-anddevelopment/investment-strategy.aspx.
R&D Queensland forum on ecosystems
9 August 2010
Page 1
Queensland’s 1351 regional ecosystems, 92 are classified as endangered and 516 are classified
as of concern, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts significant loss
of biodiversity by 2020 in Queensland’s ecologically rich sites.
To address these threats, the Queensland Government has committed to a range of targets
(Appendix 2), including the Q2 target to protect 50% more land for nature conservation and public
recreation. Achieving this array of targets to preserve Queensland’s ecosystems will require the
coordinated efforts of local, state and Commonwealth governments, industry, community groups
and individual Queenslanders.
Science and R&D will play a pivotal role in achieving these targets – providing the knowledge and
information to support robust policy, planning and management decisions; identifying emerging
threats and opportunities for improved resilience; developing sustainable community and industry
practices; and providing innovative tools and effective solutions to better understand, monitor,
protect and restore Queensland’s ecosystems.
Queensland Government R&D on ecosystems
The Queensland Government’s 14 R&D objectives outlined in the Queensland R&D Investment
Strategy 2010-2020 include an Ecosystems R&D objective (Appendix 1) to provide the
knowledge, tools and technologies required to protect and restore Queensland’s diverse
ecosystems. The Ecosystems R&D objective is inextricably linked to the three other environmental
R&D objectives outlined in the strategy, namely:
 Land – sustain and restore Queensland’s land and soil
 Atmosphere – mitigate air pollution and adapt to climate change
 Water – ensure a sustainable balance between water demand and supply.
In 2008-09, the Queensland Government invested $135 million and leveraged a further $75 million
towards R&D to sustain Queensland’s environment, representing 37% of the total R&D reported by
the Government.2 Of this, $18 million (9%) aligned with the Ecosystems R&D objective (Figure 1). 3
Figure 1. Queensland Government environmental R&D
(including leveraged funds), 2008-09, by environmental R&D objective*
140
R&D Expenditure
(including leveraged funds, $M)
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
9%
Ecosystems
3%
Land
57%
Atmosphere
(Air and Cimate)
7%
Water
25%
Environment General
(incl. Ecosciences
and Health & Food
Sciences
Precincts - $33M)
* does not include other science activities such as routine monitoring
2
Queensland Government R&D Expenditure 2008-09 Report, Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist, Queensland
Government, 2010, available at www.chiefscientist.qld.gov.au/library/qld-govt-rd-expenditure2008-09-report.doc.
3
Categorised by the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist. For R&D projects that aligned with more than one
environmental R&D objective, expenditure was split across the objectives. ‘Environment – General’ includes environmental
R&D projects that did not align with any specific R&D objective or for which there was insufficient information to classify the
project.
R&D Queensland forum on ecosystems
9 August 2010
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The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation – including the areas of
mines & energy, agri-science and innovation – accounted for the largest portion of R&D aimed at
protecting and restoring Queensland’s ecosystems (51%), followed by the Department of
Environment and Resource Management (31%), and the Queensland Museum (18%) (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Queensland Government ecosystems R&D
(including leveraged funds), 2008-09, by department*
10
R&D Expenditure
(including leveraged funds, $M)
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
51%
31%
18%
Dept of
Em ploym ent,
Econom ic
Developm ent &
Innovation
Dept of
Environm ent &
Resource
Managem ent
Queensland
Museum
<1%
<1%
Dept of Com m unity
Safety
Dept of Public
Works
* does not include other science activities such as routine monitoring
Queensland Government R&D on ecosystems can be further classified by focus area (see
Appendix 1) into R&D that helps to:
 Understand the health of our diverse ecosystems and the way in which they function;
includes surveillance, monitoring and mapping; modelling; developing new surveillance and
monitoring technologies; understanding ecosystem processes; taxonomy/classification;
palaeontology.
 Optimise the management of our ecosystems and their associated industries; includes
biosecurity; improving land management and industry practices; fisheries management;
species conservation.
 Transform the interface between people and ecosystems; includes ecosystem remediation;
re-introducing threatened species; biodiscovery and other ecosystem services.
Figure 3. Queensland Government ecosystems R&D
(including leveraged funds), 2008-09, by focus area*
R&D Expenditure
(including leveraged funds, $M)
12
10
8
6
4
2
64%
31%
2%
3%
Understand
Optimise
Transform
Other/General
0
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* does not include other science activities, such as routine monitoring
Purpose of forum
This forum will focus on the Queensland Government’s R&D and other science investments aimed
at protecting and restoring Queensland’s ecosystems. It will provide an opportunity to:
 improve our understanding of how science and R&D can assist in protecting and restoring
Queensland’s ecosystems
 give a clear direction as to where Queensland Government science and R&D investments
should be focused
 identify ways to improve R&D partnerships between Government departments, research
organisations and other sectors to maximise the outcomes of science and R&D investments.
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Appendix 1
R&D PROFILE FOR ECOSYSTEMS
from the Queensland R&D Investment Strategy 2010-2020
R&D Objective: To provide the knowledge, tools and technologies required to protect and
restore Queensland’s diverse ecosystems
Rationale:
Of Queensland’s 1351 regional ecosystems, 92 are classified as endangered and 516 are
classified as of concern. Our challenge is to halt and reverse this decline.4
The preservation of Queensland’s ecosystems is fundamental not only to our way of life and
cultural heritage, but also to the livelihoods of many Queenslanders. Each year, the Great Barrier
Reef alone generates more than $5 billion in revenue from tourism and fisheries,5 and visitors to
national parks contribute over $4 billion more from direct tourist expenditure.6
Queensland ecosystems are under threat from invasive plants and animals, increasing demand for
urban and agricultural land, and the potential impacts of climate change.
Queensland has a wealth of R&D-based knowledge on the management of tropical reef and
rainforest ecosystems, but more broad-ranging knowledge of ecosystem functioning is needed,
particularly with respect to opportunities for improved resilience and ecosystem restoration
programs.
Focus of R&D:
Understand the health of our diverse ecosystems, and the way in which they function.

identify ecosystems of high biodiversity significance, including those which provide valuable
corridors and buffer zones for flora and fauna, to add to the protected area estate.

monitor the condition and extent of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and species.

model the impacts of pests, pollutants, natural disasters and human interventions.
Optimise the management of our ecosystems and their associated industries.

develop detection and control measures for invasive plants, pathogens and pollutants.

identify alternative industry and community practices that reduce threats to ecosystems.
Transform the interface between people and ecosystems.

develop new farming systems that encourage on-farm wildlife and habitat conservation.

guide infrastructure and urban development planning to improve biodiversity management.

advance methods to protect, recover and enhance adaptation of species and ecosystems.
4
State of the Environment Queensland 2007, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane, 2008.
5
Measuring the Economic and Financial Value of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Access Economics Pty Ltd for Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, 2005.
6
Valuing Tourism Spend Arising from Visitation to Queensland National Parks, Sustainable Tourism CRC, Gold Coast,
2008.
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Appendix 2
Queensland ecosystem targets
Toward Q27
 Protect 50% more land for nature conservation by 2020
- expand the area protected under National Parks to 12.9 million hectares (7.5% of the
State’s land area)
- expand the total area protected for conservation purposes from 8.3 million hectares to
20 million hectares by 2020.
Reef Water Quality Protection Plan8
Goals
 Halt and reverse the decline in water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef by 2013.
 Ensure that by 2020 the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef from adjacent
catchments has no detrimental impact on the health and resilience of the Reef.
Objectives
 Reduce the load of pollutants from non-point sources in the water entering the Great Barrier
Reef.
 Rehabilitate and conserve areas of the Reef catchment that have a role in removing waterborne pollutants.
Water quality targets
 By 2013 there will be:
- a minimum 50% reduction from 2009 levels in nitrogen and phosphorus loads at the
end of catchments
- a minimum 50% reduction from 2009 levels in pesticides at the end of catchments
- a minimum of 50% late dry season groundcover on dry tropical grazing land.
 By 2020 there will be:
- a minimum 20% reduction from 2009 levels in sediment load at the end of catchments.
Management practice targets
 By 2013:
- 80% of landholders in agricultural enterprises (sugarcane, horticulture, dairy, cotton
and grains) will have adopted improved soil, nutrient and chemical management
practices
- 50% of landholders in the grazing sector will have adopted improved pasture and
riparian management practices
- there will have been no net loss or degradation of natural wetlands
- the condition and extent of riparian areas will have improved.
7
www.towardq2.qld.gov.au/tomorrow/index.aspx
8
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au/
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South East Queensland Natural Resource Management Plan 9
A. Ecosystem targets
Coastal and marine targets
 Seagrass and mangroves: By 2031, the extent and condition of seagrass and mangrove
ecosystems (including salt marsh) in bays and estuaries will be greater than or equal to that
in 1988 and 2001 respectively.
 Coral: By 2031, the condition and spatial distribution of soft and hard corals will be
maintained at least at 2005 levels.
 Beaches: By 2031, the condition of open coastlines (headlands, beaches and dunes) will be
at or better than in 2006.
 Fish stocks: By 2031, wild fishery stock condition will be sustained at sufficiently high levels
to support commercial, recreational and Indigenous cultural fisheries, based on the 19952005 benchmark (ten-year rolling average).
 Key species: By 2031, the extent and condition of the habitat of bottlenose and Indo-Pacific
humpback dolphins, dugongs, sharks, turtles and wader birds will be equal to or greater than
that in 2001 for each species.
 Coastal algal blooms: By 2031, the extent and frequency of coastal algal blooms will be
reduced from the 2002-05 benchmark (five-year rolling average).
 Coastal wetlands: By 2031, the condition and extent of SEQ coastal wetland, particularly
those connecting fresh and estuarine/marine habitat (including fish passage), will be equal to
or greater than that in 2007.
Nature conservation targets
 Remnant and woody vegetation: By 2031, the 2001 extent of regional vegetation cover –
including both remnant vegetation (35%) and additional non-remnant woody vegetation
(22%) – will be maintained or increased.
 Vegetation fragmentation and connectivity: By 2031, there will be no net fragmentation
of larger tracts (greater than 5,000 ha), and 20% of priority smaller tracts (less than 5,000 ha)
will be better connected than the 2003 baseline.
 Wetlands: By 2031, the 2008 extent and condition of SEQ wetlands will be maintained or
increased.
 Vulnerable ecosystems: By 2031, at least 4% of the original pre-clearing extents of
vulnerable regional ecosystems will be represented in protective measures.
 Native species: In 2031, the 2008 conservation status of native species will be maintained
or improved.
 Habitat for priority species: By 2031, the 2001 extent and condition of habitat for priority
taxa will be maintained or increased.
Regional landscape targets
 Landscape heritage: By 2031, at least 90% of the 2011 area of regionally important
landscape heritage will be retained within each local government area.
 Outdoor recreation settings: By 2031, the 2011 extent of regional outdoor recreation
settings will be maintained or increased.
 Outdoor recreation demand: By 2031, 90% of the demand for outdoor recreation will be
met through a mix of public land, waterways and the voluntary provision of opportunities on
private land.
 Regionally high-scenic amenity: By 2031, the area of regionally high-scenic amenity will
be maintained or improved from the 2004 baseline.
 Locally important scenic amenity: By 2031, at least 80% of the 2004 area of locally
important scenic amenity within each local government area will be retained.
9
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/regional_planning/seq_nrm_plan.html
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Water targets
 Environmental flows: By 2031, environmental flows will meet aquatic ecosystem health
and ecological process requirements.
 Groundwater levels: By 2031, 75% of SEQ Groundwater Resource Units will have
groundwater levels within identified acceptable annual ranges.
 Groundwater quality: By 2031, groundwater quality (nutrients and EC measurements) in all
SEQ Groundwater Resource Units will be within identified acceptable annual ranges.
 Groundwater dependent ecosystems: By 2031, the condition of groundwater ecosystems
and groundwater dependent ecosystems will be within identified acceptable annual ranges.
 High ecological value waterways: By 2031, High Ecological Value waterways in SEQ will
maintain their 2008 classification.
 Waterways maintenance and enhancement: In 2031, schedules water quality objectives
for all SEQ waterways will be achieved or exceeded.
 Waterway restoration: By 2031, waterways classified as ranging from slightly to
moderately disturbed and/or highly disturbed will have ecosystem health and ecological
processes restored.
B. Other environmental targets
Air and atmosphere targets
 Greenhouse gas emissions: By 2031, the region will make an equitable contribution to the
national and regional targets for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
 Air quality: By 2031, the levels of air pollutants in the SEQ air shed will be at or below the
quality objectives in the appropriate Schedule of the Environmental Protection (Air) Policy
2008.
 Thermal pollution: By 2031, SEQ thermal pollution will be at or below 2003 levels.
 Noise pollution: By 2031, SEQ noise pollution will be at or below 1998 levels.
 Light pollution: By 2031, SEQ light pollution will be at or below 1998 levels.
Land targets
 Salinity: By 2031, the area of secondary salinisation in SEQ will be 10% less than in 2008.
 Agricultural land: By 2031, >90% (>266,667 ha) of SEQ agricultural land at 2004 will be
available for sustainable agriculture.
 Soil acidity: By 2031, the area of acidified agricultural soils within SEQ will be reduced by
50% from the 2008 baseline.
 Soil organic matter: By 2031, the level of soil organic matter (carbon in t/ha) in agricultural
soils will be higher than in 2008 or baseline year.
 Acid sulphate soils (ASS): By 2031, the area of ‘severe’ acidification caused by the
disturbance of ASS will be lower than in 2008.
 Soil erosion: By 2031, the extent of erosion from hill slopes and gullies will be reduced by
50% from the 2008 baseline.
 Grazing land condition: By 2031, 75% of grazing land in SEQ will be in a ‘good’ condition.
 Land contamination: By 2031, existing contamination sites and off-site impacts will be
reduced; and no new sites will be created over the 2008 baseline data.
 Extractive resources: By 2031, extractive resources within ‘key source areas’ in SEQ will
be available for their highest use with no net loss of other environmental and landscape
values.
C. Other targets
 Traditional owners: By 2031, traditional owners and Aboriginal people will be resources
and working together with natural resource managers and government and non-government
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organisation to implement the SEQ NRM Plan and the SEQ Aboriginal Traditional Owner
Cultural Resource Management Plan.
 Community: By 2031, natural resource managers, government and non-government
organisations will be resourced and working together to implement the SEQ NRM Plan.
South East Queensland Healthy Waterways 10
(a collaboration between the Queensland Government, local governments, industries,
research organisations and community groups)
Resource Condition Targets
 In 2026, 100% of SEQ waterways classified in 2007 as having high ecological values retain
this classification.
 In 2026, 100% of SEQ waterways classified in 2007 as meeting their water quality objectives
retain this achievement.
 In 2026, 100% of SEQ waterways classified in 2007 as disturbed achieve their scheduled
water quality objectives.
 By 2026, waterways classified as disturbed and/or degraded in 2007 have their ecosystem
health and ecological processes reinstated.
 By 2026, maintain or restore the biodiversity of freshwater and tidal wetlands of SEQ using
the 2007 status of seagrass distribution, dugong and turtle population numbers and
freshwater fish assemblage as surrogate indicators.
 By 2026 maintain or re-establish adequate freshwater environmental flows in SEQ
waterways including inflows to estuaries and near coastal waters.
Community Targets
 By 2026, the region-wide institutional arrangements exist to support the SEQ community in
delivering effective implementation of management of natural resources.
 By 2026, the community would be more capable and active than in 2008 in positively
influencing Natural Resource Management outcomes.
10
www.healthywaterways.org/
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