Sharp-eyed nature enthusiasts are helping to uncover rare and invasive plant species in the City of Moreton Bay local government area, with their discoveries playing an important role in protecting the local natural environment.
The citizen scientists have been uploading photos of their observations on the community-driven app iNaturalist, which suggests identifications and creates research data for scientists, researchers and other users to support conservation efforts.
Among the discoveries is the highly invasive Tropical Soda Apple, which was detected by a local contractor who uploaded a photo of the weed to the iNaturalist app.
They have also uncovered some rare plant species, with their recordings providing important datapoints for conservationists.
Mayor, Peter Flannery said the City had a unique natural environment and encouraged people to keep recording their findings.
“Every sighting shared on iNaturalist helps paint a clearer picture of the rich biodiversity in Moreton Bay,” he said.
“It’s great to see so many individuals, from seasoned ecologists to weekend walkers, contribute to conservation efforts and celebrate the incredible environment we share.”
Mayor Flannery said one of the most important recordings to date was the Tropical Soda Apple, which poses a major threat to other plant species and livestock.
“The sharp prickles on this weed can injure people and animals, and the plant can become so dense that it prevents livestock from accessing shade and water, not to mention that it can displace native plants and host plant viruses,” he said.
“The recording of Tropical Soda Apple on iNaturalist has led to Council’s biosecurity team supporting landholders to identify, treat and remove these highly invasive weed plants to prevent them from spreading out of control.”
Another important plant discovery has been the threatened Birdwing Butterfly Vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa), a rare vine species and essential host plant for the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly, the largest sub-tropical butterfly in Australia.
Citizen scientists have also recorded the Scrub Turpentine (Rhodamnia rubescens), which is listed as critically endangered. Once common in rainforests, this species has been severely impacted by invasive myrtle rust fungus, meaning every healthy tree documented supports conservation efforts.
Also on the list of special finds is the Bush Sophora (Sophora fraseri), a shrub often mistaken for the weed Easter cassia – a confusion that may have contributed to its decline in Queensland.
And recordings on iNaturalist show the City’s local bushland is alive with a variety of wild macadamias and an incredible array of native orchids, from the bold Large Tongue Orchid to delicate Fairy Lantern Orchids.
Bush and land care groups have dedicated pages on iNaturalist, with the public able to view maps of their extensive observations.
“We’re committed to going green as we grow, so it’s fantastic that groups and individuals are showing such an active interest in the rich biodiversity in our City,” Mayor Flannery said.
“We encourage people who want to know more about our local flora and fauna to explore the app and visit our environmental centres at Burpengary, Griffin and Eatons Hill, which are free to visit and feature nature trails and educational displays.”
