Regional biodiversity values
Regional biodiversity values (RBV) are areas mapped as having regionally significant ecological values. They contain well-functioning and diverse ecosystems that are important to conserve, restore or maintain a regions biodiversity.
RBV are developed using a robust and repeatable mapping methodology, based on ecological information from expert knowledge and quantitative datasets including biodiversity values identified through the state’s Biodiversity Planning Assessments (BPAs) and Aquatic Conservation Assessments (ACAs). RBV mapping is guided by ecological principles of:
- maintaining an intact and connected network of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems across the landscape comprising of large core habitat areas and connecting corridors
- maintaining the diversity of species and habitats, including areas of richness and abundance, refugia and habitats that are critical to the long-term survival of species
- retaining representative areas across the spectrum of ecosystems and unique landscape features, each providing a different set of ecosystem functions that are vital to conserving biodiversity
- ensuring that ecosystems, habitats and species are resilient to changing climate conditions.
RBV mapping includes several different mapping layers which represent specific environmental components across the landscape. These components, which may vary across regions depending on the available data and the biodiversity values of each region, include:
- large tracts of vegetation
- areas of species diversity
- areas of representation and uniqueness
- areas of climate refugia or permanent water
- connecting vegetation
- aquatic connectivity
- priority species corridors
- regional biodiversity corridors.
Regional biodiversity corridors are an important component of the RBV network. They support functioning of all ecosystem components across the landscape, including ongoing ecological and evolutionary processes essential to maintain healthy biodiversity at a regional scale.
RBV are progressively being mapped across Queensland's statutory regional planning areas. Regionally specific mapping methodologies are available for each region where RBV have been mapped.
Region | Methodology | Data |
South East Queensland | Regional biodiversity value - South East Queensland Regional Plan 2023 - ShapingSEQ |
Protecting and managing regional biodiversity values
The Regional biodiversity values land use and management policy practice note has been prepared to guide the protection and management of mapped RBV. It can be used by planners to assist land use planning and management, including in the development of statutory plans and non-statutory natural resource management plans.
The practice note includes recommended desired outcome statements and strategies needed to ensure a regions biodiversity is maintained and healthy, and that the many components of biodiversity are protected, rehabilitated, restored and managed.