Why Research?

Numerous scientists have talked of the necessity to increase and preserve biodiversity because it provides humans with services such as clean air, water, fibre, food and medicines (Ref: Australia's Biodiversity Conservation Strategy - click here)

Creeks and river courses are priority targets in this area because of the urgent need to improve water quality to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.  Australia’s signatory obligations is to protect and manage it. Rivers have a dynamic nature so where the vegetated riparian (the land next to water) is altered it causes many problems. Intact riparian helps improve water quality by forming a barrier from polluting forces and stabilising the banks from erosion, providing shade,  shelter for wildlife and increasing food sources for aquatic wildlife. 

EnviroCare’s 18 year revegetation work along the banks and tributaries of the Barron River [see Myola Link project - click here] have linked remnant rainforest and provided new areas for greater movement of fauna that consequently expands flora varieties. However, without systematic and sustained monitoring over a long period there is no qualifying evidence that this revegetation has achieved its goals. The bird monitoring team has gleaned vital evidence that show birds have re-entered the new plantings (click here for graphs). Of course, birds are one of the main depositories of flora species and thus fauna biodiversity.

These are the reasons why environmental volunteers have invested thousands of hours increasing biodiversity and why the Governments have funded NRM groups millions of dollars throughout Australia. ​