Phylogenetic diversity and conservation of rainforests in the Sunshine Coast region, Queensland, Australia
Liam Scanlan A , William J. F. McDonald B and Alison Shapcott A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A GeneCology Research Centre; Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Qld 4558, Australia.
B Queensland Herbarium, Queensland Department of Environment and Science, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Qld 4066, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: ashapcot@usc.edu.au
Australian Journal of Botany 66(7) 518-530 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT18118
Submitted: 8 June 2018 Accepted: 11 October 2018 Published: 1 November 2018
Abstract
The subtropical rainforests of South East Queensland are relatively understudied but their importance for conservation has recently been highlighted, with the Sunshine Coast region identified as an area of high diversity, second to the Border Ranges. We measured phylogenetic diversity at a fine scale to identify areas of high diversity and dissimilarity across the Sunshine Coast, within the Forest of East Australia biodiversity hotspot. Edaphic and climatic influences were incorporated in the analysis to test their relevance to diversity in the region, and to aid the identification of local diversity hotspots. The Sunshine Coast was found to be phylogenetically even overall and had a high proportion of even sites (91 out of 109), consistent with the identification of refugia at a larger scale. The Blackall Range was identified as a local centre of diversity but it has been extensively cleared. Contrary to expectation, coastal lowland sites were phylogenetically even, suggesting potential localised stability or strong connectivity to refugia. These results reiterate the high conservation value of the region in general, particularly for the remnant areas of rainforest on the Blackall Range.
Additional keywords: conservation, diversity, DNA barcoding, geology, refugia, rainforest.
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