Toohey Forest is named after an Irishman who acquired his wealth s the California Gold Rush, James Toohey. Mt Gravatt is named after Lieutenant George Gravatt who was in control of Penal statement of Moreton Bay at Brisbane Town in 1942 (Toohey Forest, 2017). Both, mountains Toohey and Gravatt are formed by tough very old quartzite made million years ago when the coastline was far to the west, and the region was deep under the sea. Toohey Forest is 260 kilometers which include Mt Gravatt. It is owned and under the management of Griffith University. The forest offers sufficient area for walking tracks and trails for mountain bikes. Also, the mountains provide a serene environment for picnics, and there are several picnic sites such as Gertrude Petty place, Mt Gravatt Outlook picnic area, and Mayne Estate and Toohey picnic area. Also, Mt. Gravatt provides a magnificent view of Brisbane ant suburbs. The forest is a habitat to over 400 native species of plants and wildlife (Toohey Forest, 2017. It is an open eucalypt forest that once covered Brisbane with species from rainforest growing alongside the creeks and moist guiles. The forest has sandstone outcrops features and has eucalypt trees and underneath plants such as wattles, creepers, she-oaks, grasses and heath species. Along the creeks and gullies, there is the vine forest and a closed scrub. The woodlands have underneath plants such as grass trees, and banksias are specifically beautiful and are found nearby the Griffith University. The forest is a home for squirrel gliders, short-beaked echidnas, and lace monitors. Also, it is a home for over 75 bird species, five tree-living mammals and several types of reptiles, butterflies, and frogs. Besides, the lantana and cats claw creeper are the most threatening weed in the forest.
Causes and Effects of Declining Biodiversity at Toohey Forest
Among the causes of declining biodiversity is the growth of human population, the introduction of exotic species, pollution, among others. In this 21st century, human population has greatly increased leading to people searching for food production, wood, and fuel, construction, and energy. Therefore, settling in areas with high biodiversity that have good soils, this threatens the biodiversity mainly in areas with high endemic species. A human being is the major cause of declining biodiversity since it is them who introduces species that have their origins from other places (Toohforeeec.eq.edu.au., 2017). This leads to an imbalance of the ecological equilibrium. Pollutants from industries, agriculture, and water-based have a disastrous impact on many species. Pollution in waters such as lakes and rivers have degenerate waters leading to a lot of freshwater ecosystems dying. Apart from that, loss and changes in the habitats which result in loss of animal and plant species.
Strategies to Maintain Diversity
The best strategy to protect the biodiversity of Toohey Forest is the implementation of biodiversity-friendly urban design practices to encourage wildlife to remain in the development site. This is whereby the city council of Brisbane will require homeowners to implement individual on-site practices in maintaining the existing biodiversity. Therefore properties will be required to meet requirements such as wildlife-friendly property fencing, landscaping with only local native plants and the retention of existing large tree in the backyards. Failure to meet these standards will lead to individuals being fined. This strategy will ensure there is no alteration in the habitat of species and encourage the existing biodiversity to remain on the development site and also educate homeowners to protect biodiversity. This strategy is the best compared to moving the fauna out of the development site which will lead to an imbalance of the ecological equilibrium in the northern area of Toohey Forest. Also moving the fauna and flora will greatly have an impact on the animal and plants first, the moved plants or animal will not flourish in its new environment. Due to lack of proper food and climate can reduce the lifespan of the particular animal or plant.
Recommendations to Minimize the Shortfalls of the Diversity.
Biodiversity is continuously threatened by the day to day activities of human beings, and mostly people are not usually aware of they are doing so. To solve this human being should try to embrace certain practices that will save the biodiversity (Bobbink, 2008). To protect the habitats of plants and animals, people should reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides and also get engaged in ecological restoration activities within the area. Also, people should buy organic foods since they help in the reduction in the use of fertilizers and pesticides of farms and lawns. Similarly, in the use of energy people need to focus on reducing their energy demand which will result in a reduction of release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that contributes to global warming. Therefore, people should aim at conserving energy at their homes, opt for having a single car, and when constructing homes, they should incorporate renewable energy. Moreover, plants or animals that are introduced to another place can cause destruction the particular place especially some plants are known for destroying other plants.
References
Bobbink, R. (2008). Wetlands: Functioning, Biodiversity, Conservation and Restoration (1st ed.). Berlin: Springer.
Sustaining Biodiversity: Years 10-12 | Toohey Forest Environmental Education Centre. (2017). Toohforeeec.eq.edu.au. Retrieved 6 May 2017, from http://www.toohforeeec.eq.edu.au/programs-and-activities/sustaining-biodiversity-years-10-12/
Toohey Forest. (2017). Enjoythisworld.com. Retrieved 6 May 2017, from http://www.enjoythisworld.com/Places/Queensland/Brisbane/Toohey-Forest
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