Introduction
Diversity of the catchment
Land use and development
Biodiversity
Problems and environmental issues
Introduction
Kedron Brook drains the coastal plain just north of Brisbane. The headwaters lie in the Brisbane Forest Park and drain the eastern slopes of the D‘Aguilar Range. Kedron Brook flows through a mostly urbanised catchment to Moreton Bay, an ecologically significant area for waders and aquatic organisms. Link to map
Prior to settlement the relatively permanent flow in Kedron Brook would have been and important resource for aboriginal people as well as the native fauna.
Early settlement in the colony of Brisbane expanded along waterways like Kedron Brook where freshwater and food resources were exploited. Link to History.
There are scant records of the native flora and fauna at the time of settlement. The variable landscape though which Kedron Brook flows would have provided habitat for a diversity of flora and fauna.
Being an urban catchment, the environment is highly modified and many of the original species no longer occur in the area. Nevertheless, Kedron Brook currently supports a diversity of wildlife and has variable vegetation. Remnant areas of natural vegetation still occur along different sections of the stream.
Diversity of the catchment
The Kedron Brook catchment contains several different landforms, geological formations and soil types (Physical Environment). Each in turn can support different plant and animal communities.
Land use and development
Most of the middle reaches of the Kedron Brook catchment are well-established urban areas. Natural vegetation has been "fragmented" into small remnants often isolated by roads and houses. Changes to the environment through urbanisation are described in An urban catchment.
Biodiversity
Kedron Brook supports many species in different habitats as it meanders from the hills to Moreton Bay. Birds are conspicuous in parks and gardens and in the vicinity of the stream. Ground dwelling fauna tend to be less conspicuous but many species of lizard, snakes and amphibians are present. Little is known of exactly which species live in the catchment and what their lifestyle patterns are.
The diversity of natural communities associated with a stream reflect the stream complexity and water quality. These attributes of Kedron Brook are described in Stream characteristics.
Kedron Brook is important for both local wildlife and the many transient, migratory or nomadic species that visit the catchment. (Flora and Fauna)
Problems and environmental issues
Some of the key issues may be summarised as:
- Maintaining adequate resources to support wildlife
- Degradation of remnant natural areas by weed infestation and link to weed page
- Loss of native species
- Further losses of habitat through development and redevelopment of land
- Improvement of the quality of water discharged to Moreton Bay
Bushcare activities aim at the restoration of habitat and enhancement planting to facilitate wildlife. Removal of invasive introduced species (weeds) is a major component of on-ground Bushcare activities.
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