CQU researchers will study the biodiversity benefits of changed grazing land management practices that protect creeks and wetlands.

Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) chair Barbara Wildin said FBA was supporting the three-year project through to June 2007 using Natural Heritage Trust funding.

Ms Wildin said the 60 sites on Central Queensland grazing properties would be surveyed to identify the benefits resulting from managing livestock access to waterways.

“Fencing creek lines and providing off-stream watering points supports the biodiversity actions of the FBA’s regional catchment plan by preventing riparian land degradation while maintaining grazing land productivity,” Ms Wildin said.

FBA senior biodiversity officer Andrew Baldwin said the researchers would document the numbers of birds and mammals in the vegetation along the creek lines and in the adjoining grazing lands at 60 sites within the Fitzroy catchment.

“Knowing what land management practices work well to enhance biodiversity and complement land productivity will make a valuable contribution toward improving long term community catchment projects,” Mr Baldwin said.

For further information contact Sharon Marks, FBA Communication and Education Coordinator Phone: 07 4999 2816 Email: Sharon.Marks@fba.org.au or Dr Kevin Wormington, Centre for Environmental Management, 4930 6992.