Noosa is a world biosphere site. Noosa
Council has found 626 native vertebrate species within
Noosa Shire including 30 amphibians, 75 reptiles,
304 birds, 63 mammals, 33 primarily fresh water
fish and 121 marine fish species. The same study
found 79 butterflies and 9 freshwater crustaceans.
This is considered to be a high level of fauna
diversity and due to the extensive natural vegetation
and broad range of habitats.
Most of the rain falls into either the Noosa River
Catchment which covers 62% of the Shire or Mary
River Catchment covering 36% of the Shire. The
Noosa River flows south from behind the coastal
dunes of the Cooloola National Park and enters
the sea just north of the main beach. Most of
the upper river is protected as National park
or Conservation Reserve and this has helped in
the river receiving an ‘A’ rating
from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Vegetation types consists of Eucalypt Forest
at 53%; Melaleuca Communities 16%; Rainforest
12%; Plantations 8%; Heathlands 7%; Dunes and
Foreshores 3% and Mangroves 2%
In the early days mining was the main threat
to Noosa's environment. In the mid 70's sand mining
in Noosa Shire had ceased saving the valuable
beaches, sand islands and san patches that make
up the north shore area of Noosa.
The current environmental issue is real estate
development and the Noosa National Parks Association
have been active since 1962 to preserve the Noosa
environment. Thanks to their efforts, sound planning
from Noosa Council and increased public awareness
the Noosa environment provides a place of great
beauty to be enjoyed by all and provides the foundation
for noosa tourism.
Noosa birds
The Noosa habitat is home to many birds and is
a popular place for bird watchers to visit. A
good book that describes and has easy to use pictures
of Noosa birds is "Common birds of Noosa
Cooloola and the Sunshine Coast" written
by Cecily Fernley. She has drawings for 115 birds
that might be seen in Noosa.
Australian Seabird rescue group are very active
in rescuing Noosa birds. Please do not feed water
birds. If a bird becomes a nuisance simply hold
a towel up and walk towards it.
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