Resources and environmental sustaining biodiversity

Resources and environmental sustaining biodiversity

A new housing development, Gardenia, has been proposed for the area of land between Toohey Forest Environmental Education Centre, University Road and Mount Gravatt Cemetery, Nathan. This development would include new houses, townhouses, and additional roads to be built throughout the proposed area. Although this development would help ease housing demands in the growing region, local environmental groups are concerned that it may lead to a decline in the biodiversity of Toohey Forest.
IDENTIFY and EXPLAIN the geographical patterns relating to Toohey forest and surrounds. – ANALYSE the possible causes and effects of declining biodiversity at toohey forest. – EVALUATE the strategies by applying the criteria provided. – DECIDE on the most effective strategy to maintain diversity. – JUSTIFY YOUR DECISION stating why this strategy should receive the highest priority over the other, using reasoned and logical arguments. – MAKE appropriate recommendations to minimise the shortfalls of the strategy.
STRATEGY 1: (Building a wildlife corridor to encourage safe fauna movement out of the development site) Brisbane city council, in conjunction with state Government, will build a fauna land bridge, over University road, to create a small wildlife corridor that will link the development site to the Northern area of Toohey forest. The fauna land bridge would be modelled on the Compton road land bridge, linking Karawatha forest to Kuraby bushland. Taxpayers in the Brisbane city council region will be contributing to the costs of this strategy through their taxes. This strategy would allow fauna to safely move out of the development site and into the northern area of Toohey forest.

STRATEGY 2: (Implementing biodiversity-friendly urban design practices (BFUDP) to encourage wildlife to remain in the development site) Home owners will be required by the Brisbane city council to implement individual on-site practices to maintain existing biodiversity. Properties would need to meet the following requirements: wildlife-friendly property fencing, landscaping with only local native plants and the retention of existing large trees in backyards. Failure to meet these standards will result in individuals being fined. Suspected breaches could be reported by anyone, via the Brisbane city council website, for investigation. This strategy would encourage existing biodiversity to remain in the development site and also educate home owners on ways to protect biodiversity.