Editing Conondale National Park

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type                   = protected
| name                   = Conondale National Park
| state                  = qld
| iucn_category          = II
| image                  = 
| caption                = 
| image_alt              = 
| coordinates            = {{coord|26|39|47|S|152|38|44|E|display=inline,title}}
| relief                 = yes
| pushpin_label_position = 
| map_alt                = 
| nearest_town_or_city   = 
| area                   = 368
| area_footnotes         = 
| established            = 1977
| established_footnotes  = 
| visitation_num         = 
| visitation_year        = 
| visitation_footnotes   = 
| managing_authorities   = Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
| url                    = www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/conondale
}}
[[File:Mixophyes iteratus.jpg|thumb|The endangered giant barred frog ''Mixophyes iteratus'']]
'''Conondale National Park''' is 130&nbsp;km north of Brisbane in the [[Sunshine Coast, Queensland|Sunshine Coast]] Hinterland near the town of [[Conondale]] in the south east [[Queensland]] [[bioregion]].<ref name="nprsr">NPRSR, R., 2013. [http://nprsr.qld.gov.au/managing/plans-strategies/statements/conondale.html Conondale National Park Management Statement 2013]. Retrieved 26 April 2014.</ref> The park covers an area of 35,648 hectares protecting large areas of [[subtropical rainforest]], woodlands, wet and dry [[sclerophyll forest]] including Queensland's tallest tree.<ref name="nprsr" /><ref name="esri">ESRI Australia, 2013. Queensland’s tallest tree – and that’s no LiDAR! Esri Aust.</ref> The park contains areas of regenerating forest which have been previously logged; areas of forest plantations also border the park. The park is currently managed by the Queensland Government under the [[Nature Conservation Act 1992]].<ref name="nprsr" />

Since the 1860s the Conondale region has been impacted by [[land clearing in Australia|land clearing]] for [[agriculture]], [[mining]] and [[logging]],<ref name="moran">Moran, C.L., Catterall, C., Green, R.J., Olsen, M.F., 2004. Fates of feathered fruit-eaters in fragmented forests 699–712.</ref> today the park is a refuge for many species now rare and threatened.<ref name="nprsr" /> Threatened species such as the plumed frogmouth, [[giant barred frog]], Conondale crayfish, spotted-tailed [[quoll]], Gympie nut and [[richmond birdwing butterfly]] have been recorded in the park and are currently targeted for conservation management to mitigate threats to their survival.<ref name="nprsr" /> Species of interest include the southern [[gastric brooding frog]] which mysteriously disappeared in 1981 and is presumed [[extinct]].<ref name="hero">Hero, J.-M., Morrison, C., 2004. Frog declines in Australia: global implications. Herpetol. J. 14, 175–186.</ref>

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Aerial photo of conondale national park.jpg|thumb|upright|Conondale ranges]] -->

== Regional description  ==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Conondale ranges (photo by John Houldsworth).jpg|thumb|right|Conondale ranges (photo by John Houldsworth]] -->
The landscape has a rugged topography with [[Canyon|gorges]], [[valleys]] and a number of [[mountains]] above 700&nbsp;m with the highest peak being Mount Langley at 868m. Throughout the park there are scenic [[waterfalls]] such as Booloumba Creek Falls, [[Waterfall|cascades]] and numerous boulder strewn [[Stream|creeks]].<ref name="greatwalk">NPRSR, n.d. Conondale Range Great Walk - Nature, culture and history [WWW Document]. URL http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/great-walks-conondale-range/culture.html (accessed 4.26.14).</ref> The Conondale range forms a [[Drainage basin|catchment]] divide between the [[Brisbane River]] and [[Mary River (Queensland)|Mary River]] with the southernmost [[tributaries]] of the Mary river forming in Booloumba and Yabba creek.<ref name="hughes">Hughes, J.M., Bunn, S.E., Cleary, C., Hurwood, D.A., 2000. A hierarchical analysis of the genetic structure of an aquatic insect Bungona (Baetidae: Ephemeroptera). Heredity 85, 561–570. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2540.2000.00782.x</ref> The park also contains [[wetlands]] of national significance.<ref name="wetland">EHP,  jurisdiction=Queensland; sector=government; corporateName=Department of E. and H., n.d. Conondale Range Aggregation DIWA nationally important wetland — facts and maps [WWW Document]. URL http://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/diwa-wetland-conondale-range-aggregation/ (accessed 4.28.14a).</ref> These tributaries are important for the threatened [[Mary river cod]] which has declined in these creeks.<ref>Environment, D. of the, 2013a. The Mary River Cod Research and Recovery Plan [WWW Document]. URL http://www.environment.gov.au/node/15729 (accessed 4.27.14).</ref> 
[[File:StateLibQld 1 112124 Gold mining at Kilcoy Creek, 1933.jpg|thumb|Gold mining at Kilcoy Creek, 1933]]
The region has a [[sub-tropical]] climate with a mean annual rainfall of 1,500&nbsp;mm, the majority of rainfall occurs seasonally in summer (December–March) usually with heavy downpours and winters generally cold and dry with occasional frosts.<ref name="hughes" /><ref name="innis">Innis, G., 1989. Feeding Ecology of Fruit Pigeons in Subtropical Rainforests of South-Eastern Queensland. Wildl. Res. 16, 365–394.</ref> Major vegetation types include a mix of complex notophyll vine forest, sub-tropical rainforest, [[woodland]]s, [[bangalow palm]] forests, [[wet sclerophyll]] and [[dry sclerophyll]] forest with rainforest occurring mainly at higher altitudes and along watercourses.<ref name="hughesetal">Hughes, J.M., Bunn, S.E., Kingston, D.M., Hurwood, D.A., 1995. Genetic Differentiation and Dispersal among Populations of Paratya australiensis (Atyidae) in Rainforest Streams in Southeast Queensland, Australia. J. North Am. Benthol. Soc. 14, 158. doi:10.2307/1467731</ref>
[[File:Black-breasted Button-quail male inskip.JPG|thumb|Black-breasted Button-quail ''Turnix melanogaster'']]

== History ==
[[File:Bosistoa transversa Coffs.jpg|thumb|Vulnerable Three-leaved bosistoa ''Bosistoa transversa'']]

The Conondale region served as an important area for both the Jinibara and [[Kabi Kabi]] [[traditional owners]], it was an important pathway and resource gathering area for food such as the [[bunya pine]] ''Araucaria bidwillii'' which occurs in the park and remains culturally significant to [[Indigenous peoples|Indigenous]] people today.<ref name="nprsr" /><ref name="greatwalk" /> European settlement occurred from 1860 onwards seeing gold mining, farming and logging occur in the region,<ref name="moran" /><ref name="greatwalk" /><ref name="smithetal">Smith, G.C., Hamley, B.J., Lees, N., 1998. An Estimate of the Plumed Frogmouth "Podargus ocellatus plumiferus" Population Size in the Conondale Ranges [WWW Document]. URL http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=668756953042077;res=IELNZC {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116065549/http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary |date=16 November 2017 }} (accessed 4.16.14).</ref> timber trees logged included [[Toona ciliata|red cedar]] ''Toona ciliata'', [[Eucalyptus pilularis|blackbutt]] ''Eucalyptus pilularis'' and [[tallowood]] ''Eucalyptus microcorys''. By the early 1900s [[state forests]] were declared and logging of remnant forests was gradually replaced with the establishment of [[hoop pine]] plantations.<ref name="moran" /><ref name="greatwalk" /> The [[national park]] was established in 1977 after lobbying by [[conservationists]]  over proposed logging of pristine areas of the Conondale ranges which would have impacted on [[Drainage basin|catchments]] and [[endangered species]] such as the plumed frogmouth,<ref name="greatwalk" /><ref name="roberts">Roberts, G., Ingram, G., 1978. Marbled Frogmouth in the Conondale Range, South-eastern Queensland. Emu 78, 41–42.</ref> the park now encompasses over 35,000&nbsp;ha providing opportunities for recreation such as bushwalking, camping, four wheel driving, horse riding and bird watching<ref name="greatwalk" /><ref name="smithetal" /><ref>Books, L.L.C., 2010. Protected Areas Established In 1977: Rudall River National Park, Mallee Cliffs National Park, Boorabbin National Park, Budawang National Park. General Books LLC.</ref> Many parts of the region have been re-vegetated by private landowners and [[Landcare (organisation)|Landcare]] groups.<ref name="moran" />

== Ecological significance of Conondale National Park ==

=== Flora ===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Queenslandstallesttree.png|thumb|right|GIS Analyst Toby Clewett discovers Queenslands Tallest Tree (photo by Toby Clewett) ]] -->
Two thirds of the original vegetation in the Conondale region has been cleared including large areas of rainforest leaving a mosaic of cattle pastures, cropland, remnant forests and hoop pine plantations. Extensive areas of remnant forests remain in gullies and steeper parts of the Conondale ranges including large areas of un-managed regrowth.<ref name="moran" /> The national park protects significant areas of remnant vegetation including sub-tropical rainforest, wet and dry sclerophyll forest including remnant stands of bunya pine ''Araucaria bidwillii'', hoop pine ''Araucaria cunninghamii'' including extremely tall stands of flooded gum ''[[Eucalyptus grandis]]'' and brush box ''[[Lophostemon confertus]]''.<ref name="wetland" /> Queensland's tallest tree a ''Eucalyptus grandis'' was recently discovered in the park in 2013 and stands at 73&nbsp;metres tall.<ref name="esri" /><ref name="wetland" /> In total there are thirty one different vegetation types including extensive Palm vine forests,<ref>McDonald, W.J., Young, P.A., Watson, M.A., 1998. Distribution and status of the rainforest communities of southeast Queensland. Rainforest Recovery New Millennium World Wildlife Fund Sydney. 28–66.</ref> thirteen are listed as ‘of concern’ including gallery rainforests (notophyll vine forests) and semi-evergreen vine thickets which are listed as endangered.<ref name="nprsr" /><ref name=WebbTracey>{{Citation | author1=Webb, L. J. (Leonard James), 1920-2008 | author-link1=Leonard Webb (academic) | author2=Tracey, J. G. (John Geoffrey), 1920-2004 | author-link2=Geoff Tracey | title=Australian Rainforests: Patterns and Change (Ecological Biogeography of Australia, vol. 1 p. 605-694) | publication-date=1981 | publisher=The Hague: W. Junk | hdl=102.100.100/292256?index=1 | url=http://hdl.handle.net/102.100.100/292256?index=1}}</ref><ref name=Webb>{{cite journal |title=A Physiognomic Classification of Australian Rain Forests|first1=Len|last1=Webb| author-link=Leonard Webb (academic) | journal = Journal of Ecology| publisher=British Ecological Society : Journal of Ecology Vol. 47, No. 3, pp. 551-570|date=1 Oct 1959|volume = 47|issue = 3|pages = 551–570|doi = 10.2307/2257290|jstor = 2257290}}</ref>
[[File:Richmond Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondius).jpg|thumb|Richmond Birdwing Butterfly (''Ornithoptera richmondius'')]]
A total of 796 plant species are recorded in the park, twelve species are listed as endangered, vulnerable or near threatened.<ref name="nprsr" /> Notable threatened species include the gympie nut ''Macadamia ternifolia'' now listed as threatened on the [[IUCN Red List]] and listed vulnerable in Queensland and nationally.<ref name="macadamia">Environment, D. of the, 2009a. [http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/southern-macadamia-species-recovery-plan Southern macadamia species recovery plan]. Retrieved 25 April 2014.</ref> The brush sophora ''Sophora fraseri'' and ''Bosistoa transversa'' are listed nationally as Vulnerable and occurs in semi-evergreen vine thickets, it is threatened by changing fire regimes and competition from [[weed]]s.<ref>EHP,  jurisdiction=Queensland; sector=government; corporateName=Department of E. and H., n.d. Brush sophora – Sophora fraseri [WWW Document]. URL http://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ecology/components/species/?sophora-fraseri (accessed 4.25.14b).</ref>

=== Richmond birdwing butterfly recovery program ===

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Richmond Birdwing Butterfly.jpg|thumb|right|Richmond Birdwing Butterfly (photo by Tom Tarrant)]] -->
Conondale National Park is considered a critical site for the survival of the richmond birdwing butterfly ''Ornithoptera richmondia'' which is listed as vulnerable in Queensland, the park also has significant stands of the richmond birdwing vine ''[[Aristolochia praevenosa]]'' a species of critical priority for the butterfly.<ref name="sands">Sands, D.P.A., New, T.R., 2013. Conservation of the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly in Australia, 1st ed. Springer, Dordrecht.</ref><ref>EHP,  jurisdiction=Queensland; sector=government; corporateName=Department of E. and H., 2004. Richmond birdwing butterfly [WWW Document]. URL https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/threatened-species/vulnerable/richmond_birdwing_butterfly.html (accessed 4.27.14).</ref> The vine is crucial in the [[Biological life cycle|lifecycle]] of the butterfly which occurs predominantly in rainforests along [[waterways]], it is a food source for the [[larval stage]] of the butterfly's lifecycle and is the only plant the female butterfly will lay its eggs on.<ref name="sands" /> Threats include the exotic dutchmans pipe ''[[Aristolochia elegans]]'' which the female butterfly is attracted to and will lay her eggs on, however the leaves are fatal to the butterfly larvae. Extensive public education and conservation programs are underway in Queensland with cultivation, planting, control of weeds and ecological monitoring occurring.<ref name="nprsr" /><ref name="sands" />
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Eastern bristlebird.jpg|thumb|right|The endangered eastern bristlebird (photo by David Cook)]] -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Black-breasted button-quail.jpg|thumb|right|Black-breasted button-quail (photo by Tom Tarrant]] -->

=== Birds ===
[[File:Podargus ocellatus -Redwood -Queensland-8.jpg|thumb|upright|Plumed Frogmouth ''Podargus ocellatus plumiferus'']]
Conondale National Park is considered an [[Important Bird Area]] (IBA) by [[Birdlife International]]<ref>Australian IBAs | BirdLife [WWW Document], n.d. URL http://birdlife.org.au/projects/important-bird-areas/iba-maps (accessed 4.30.14).</ref> with 174 bird species recorded in the park, fourteen species are considered endangered or vulnerable.<ref name="nprsr" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://birdlife.org.au/projects/important-bird-areas/iba-maps|title = For Guardians & Birders &#124; BirdLife}}</ref> Notable species include the pale-yellow robin ''[[Tregellasia capito]]'', paradise riflebird ''[[Ptiloris paradiseus]]'', green catbird ''[[Ailuroedus crassirostris]]'', regent bowerbird ''[[Sericulus chrysocephalus]]'' and grey goshawk ''[[Accipiter novaehollandiae]]'' Australian logrunner ''[[Orthonyx temminckii]]''.<ref name="nprsr" />  Threatened birds in the park include the Coxen's fig parrot ''[[Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni]]'', red goshawk ''[[Erythrotriorchis radiatus]]'', [[glossy black cockatoo]] (eastern) ''Calyptorhynchus lathami lathami'' and the powerful owl ''[[Ninox strenua]]''.<ref name="nprsr" />

The Conondale ranges provides an important northern refuge for populations of eastern bristlebirds ''[[Dasyornis brachypterus]]'', a small semi-flightless bird dependent on vegetation cover and sensitive to fire.<ref name="bainetal">Bain, D.W., Baker, J.R., French, K.O., Whelan, R.J., 2008. Post-fire recovery of eastern bristlebirds (Dasyornis brachypterus) is context-dependent. Wildl. Res. 35, 44–49.</ref><ref>Baker, J., 2000a. The Eastern Bristlebird: Cover-dependent and Fire-sensitive. Emu 100, 286–298.</ref> The bird was once common from Victoria to the Queensland but has declined,<ref>Baker, J., 1997. The Decline, Response to Fire, Status and Management of the Eastern Bristlebird [WWW Document]. URL http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=688004812351797;res=IELHSS {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116065549/http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary |date=16 November 2017 }} (accessed 4.25.14).</ref> the species is now listed as Endangered under the IUCN red list of threatened species and listed nationally and in Queensland as endangered.<ref name="bristlebird">Environment,  jurisdiction=Commonwealth of A. corporateName=Department of the, n.d. Dasyornis brachypterus — Eastern Bristlebird [WWW Document]. URL http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=533 (accessed 4.16.14b).</ref> Park managers are currently identifying and protecting suitable habitat within the national park and implementing the recovery plan for the northern population eastern bristlebirds.<ref name="nprsr" /> The plumed frogmouth ''Podargus ocellatus plumiferus'' is listed as vulnerable in Queensland and was only discovered in the Conondale ranges in 1976 with the national park considered a stronghold for the species.<ref name="smithetal"/><ref name="roberts" /> Its habitat is sub-tropical rainforest at high altitudes and estimates of current population in the Conondale ranges are around 800 pairs with less than 2,000&nbsp;ha of suitable [[habitat]] in the region.<ref name="smithetal"/> Current populations are threatened by land clearing, inappropriate fire regimes and [[climate change]].<ref name="Hagger, V. 2013">Hagger, V., Fisher, D., Schmidt, S., Blomberg, S., 2013. Assessing the vulnerability of an assemblage of subtropical rainforest vertebrate species to climate change in southeast Queensland. Austral Ecol. 38, 465–475. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9993.2012.02437.x</ref><ref name="smithhamley">Smith, G.C., Hamley, B.J., 2009. Variation in vocal response of Plumed Frogmouth (Podargus ocellatus plumiferus) to call-playback. Emu 109, 339–343.</ref>

The black-breasted button-quail ''Turnix melanogaster'' is a small ground dwelling bird which inhabits notophyll vine forest or ‘dry rainforests’ <ref name="bbq">Environment, D. of the, 2009b. National recovery plan for the black-breasted button-quail (Turnix melanogaster) [WWW Document]. URL http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/national-recovery-plan-black-breasted-button-quail-turnix-melanogaster (accessed 4.25.14).</ref><ref name="smythpavey">Smyth, A.K., Pavey, C.R., 2001. Foraging by the endangered black-breasted button-quail (Turnix melanogaster) within fragmented rainforest of an agricultural landscape. Biol. Conserv. 98, 149–157. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(00)00149-X</ref> with up to 90% of its habitat has been cleared with less than 2,500 individuals estimated remaining in the wild.<ref name="smythpavey" />  The species is listed as vulnerable nationally and in Queensland<ref name="bbq" /> and is considered near threatened on the IUCN red list.<ref>IUCN Redlist, n.d. Turnix melanogaster (Black-breasted Buttonquail, Black-breasted Button-quail) [WWW Document]. URL https://iucnredlist.org/details/22680556/0 (accessed 4.26.14a).</ref><ref name="smythyoung">Smyth, A.K., Young, J., 1996. Observations on the endangered Black-breasted Button-quail Turnix melanogaster breeding in the wild. Emu 96, 202–207.</ref> The Conondale populations is considered an important population due to the size and location being within a national park.<ref name="bbq" />
[[File:Potorous tridactylus - profile.JPG|thumb|upright|Long-nosed potoroo ''Potorous tridactylus'']]

=== Mammals ===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Booloumba Creek Falls.jpg|thumbnail|k|Booloumba Creek Falls (photo by Bevan Koopman)]] -->
There have been 68 species of [[mammals]] recorded in the park with many being uncommon and range restricted such as the yellow-bellied glider ''[[Petaurus australis]]'', koala ''[[Phascolarctos cinereus]]'', grey headed flying-fox ''[[Pteropus poliocephalus]]'', golden-tipped bat ''[[Kerivoula papuensis]]''.<ref name="nprsr" /> The rufous bettong ''[[Aepyprymnus rufescens]]'' occurs in the park and is the largest of the [[potoroos]], it feeds at night on roots and fungi<ref name="nprsr" /><ref name="frederick">Frederick, H., Johnson, C., 1996. Social Organisation in the Rufous Bettong, Aepyprymnus Rufescens. Aust. J. Zool. 44, 9–17.</ref><ref name="mcfarland">McFarland, D., n.d. Systematic vertebrate fauna survey project stage iiB-assessment of habitat quality for priority species in southeast queensland bioregion.</ref> occurring in wet and dry sclerophyll forests.<ref name="nprsr" /><ref name="frederick" /><ref name="mcfarland" /> Threats include changes to fire regimes, over-grazing and predation by feral animals.<ref>Rufous Bettong - profile | NSW Environment & Heritage [WWW Document], 2014. URL http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10033 (accessed 4.27.14).</ref> The long-nosed potoroo ''Potorous tridactylus tridactylus'' is recorded in the park and is the smallest member of the kangaroo superfamily,<ref>Victorian Government, Department of Environment, and Primary Industries, n.d. Action Statement No. 254 Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.</ref> it is listed nationally and in Queensland as vulnerable.<ref name="potoroo">Environment,  jurisdiction=Commonwealth of A. corporateName=Department of the, n.d. Potorous tridactylus tridactylus — Long-nosed Potoroo (SE mainland) [WWW Document]. URL http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=66645 (accessed 4.25.14c).</ref> Current threats include predation by European foxes and land clearing.<ref name="potoroo" /> The spotted-tail quoll ''Dasyurus maculatus maculatus'' has been recorded in the park<ref name="nprsr" /> and is mainland Australia's largest surviving marsupial and one of three distinct subspecies.<ref>Belcher, C.A., 2003. Demographics of tiger quoll (Dasyurus maculatus maculatus) populations in southeastern Australia. Aust. J. Zool. 51, 611–626.</ref><ref name="quoll">Environment,  jurisdiction=Commonwealth of A. corporateName=Department of the, n.d. Dasyurus maculatus maculatus (SE mainland population) — Spot-tailed Quoll, Spotted-tail Quoll, Tiger Quoll (southeastern mainland population) [WWW Document]. URL http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=75184 (accessed 4.25.14d).</ref> The spotted-tail quoll has undergone drastic losses in Queensland with a 50 - 90% reduction in range since European settlement.<ref>Lunney, D., Matthews, A., 2001. The contribution of the community to defining the distribution of a vulnerable species, the spotted-tailed quoll, Dasyurus maculatus. Wildl. Res. 28, 537–545.</ref> This is attributed to habitat loss, fragmentation, logging, poison baiting, predators and cane toads, habitat critical to the spotted-tail quoll includes large tracts of undisturbed mature forest.<ref name="quoll" />

=== Amphibians  ===

Thirty one species of frogs are known to occur in the Conondale ranges including species of scientific interest, the endangered giant barred frog ''Mixophyes iteratus'' occurs at its northern limit.<ref>Lemckert, F., Brassil, T., 2000. Movements and habitat use of the endangered giant barred river frog (Mixophyes iteratus) and the implications for its conservation in timber production forests. Biol. Conserv. 96, 177–184. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(00)00066-5</ref> The endangered fleay's barred frog ''Mixophyes fleayi'' and the vulnerable tusked frog ''Adelotus brevis'' and cascade treefrog ''Litoria pearsoniana'' have also been recorded in the park, the threatened stream frog recovery plan is currently being implemented along with monitoring of these threatened species in the park.<ref name="nprsr" />
[[File:EgrandisAlexFCA2.jpg|thumb|upright|Flooded gum ''[[Eucalyptus grandis]]'']]
The Conondale region has experienced recent rapid declines in frog populations; the southern gastric brooding frog ''Rheobatrachus silus'' which only became known to science in 1973 and the southern dayfrog ''Taudactylus diurnus'' declined rapidly between 1979 and 1981 with both presumed extinct. Four other species found in the park have also declined.<ref>Parris, K.M., McCarthy, M.A., 1999. What influences the structure of frog assemblages at forest streams? Aust. J. Ecol. 24, 495–502. doi:10.1046/j.1442-9993.1999.00989.x</ref> There have been similar declines and disappearances of frogs in north Queensland and Central America under similar circumstances, the causes of these declines in still unknown but several hypotheses have been developed including the possible impact of chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis which has been reported in the region.<ref name="streamfrogs">Environment, D. of the, 2013b. National recovery plan for Stream Frogs of South-east Queensland 2001-2005 [WWW Document]. URL http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/national-recovery-plan-stream-frogs-southeast-queensland-2001-2005 (accessed 4.16.14).</ref><ref name="frogdeclines">Environment, D. of the, 2004. Declines and Disappearances of Australian Frogs [WWW Document]. URL http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/declines-and-disappearances-australian-frogs (accessed 4.25.14).</ref>

=== Reptiles ===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Rufous Bettong.jpg|thumb|right|Rufous Bettong (photo by Narelle Power)]] -->
There are 54 species of reptiles recorded in the park which include the rough-scaled snake ''Tropidechis carinatus'', lace monitor ''Varanus varius'', land mullet ''Bellatorias major'', carpet python ''Morelia spilota'' and the near threatened challenger skink ''Saproscincus rosei'' which occurs in rainforest but has also been found to occur in high densities in exotic Lantana camara thickets.<ref name="nprsr" /><ref>Virkki, D.A., Tran, C., Castley, J.G., 2012. Reptile Responses to Lantana Management in a Wet Sclerophyll Forest, Australia. J. Herpetol. 46, 177–185.</ref>

=== Invertebrates  ===

The Conondale crayfish ''Euastacus urospinosus'' only occurs in upland rainforest streams in the Conondale and [[Blackall|Blackall Range]] ranges, one of its strongholds is Conondale National Park.<ref name="borsboom">Borsboom, A., 1998. Aspects of the biology and ecology of the Australian freshwater crayfish, Euastacus urospinosus (Decapoda: Parastacidae). Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. W. 119, 87–100.</ref> The crayfish burrows in rainforest streams at elevations between 450-550m, the Bundaroo creek system where the crayfish occurs has an absence of historical mining and logging which may account for its continued survival.<ref name="borsboom" />  The species is classified as endangered on IUCN red list with the species being highly range restricted due to climatic intolerances and susceptibility to catastrophic weather events and climate change.<ref name="redlist">IUCN Redlist, n.d. Euastacus urospinosus [WWW Document]. URL [https://web.archive.org/web/20121114074048/http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/8147/0] (accessed 4.27.14b).</ref> Other threats are feral pigs Sus scrofa wallowing and destroying creek bank vegetation and crayfish burrows.<ref name="mcfarland" />

== Environmental threats and conservation management  ==

=== Conondale’s disappearing frogs - chytrid fungus ===
[[File:Mixophyes fleayi.JPG|thumb|Fleay's barred frog ''Mixophyes fleayi'']]
The southern gastric brooding was discovered in 1973 in the Conondale ranges,<ref>Corben, C.J., Ingram, G.J., Tyler, M.J., 1974. Gastric Brooding: Unique Form of Parental Care in an Australian Frog. Science 186, 946–947. doi:10.1126/science.186.4167.946</ref> it displayed a unique reproductive mode in which the female would ingest the eggs which then complete their development in the mothers stomach.<ref name="tyler">Tyler, M.J., Shearman, D.J., Franco, R., O’Brien, P., Seamark, R.F., Kelly, R., 1983. Inhibition of gastric acid secretion in the gastric brooding frog, Rheobatrachus silus. Science 220, 609–610. doi:10.1126/science.6573024</ref> To survive the tadpoles secreted hormones to inhibit the digestive secretions of the stomach until they are given birth to via the mother's mouth.<ref name="tyler" /> The species occurred in good numbers in high altitude rocky streams but in 1979 the species declined rapidly and disappeared with no sightings since 1981 despite continued efforts to relocate the species.<ref>[http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/national-recovery-plan-stream-frogs-southeast-queensland-2001-2005 National recovery plan for Stream Frogs of South-east Queensland 2001-2005]. Department of Environment (Australia). Retrieved 3 May 2014.</ref> This coincided with the rapid disappearance of the southern dayfrog which occurred at the same location as the southern gastric brooding frog, there have also been no sightings of the southern dayfrog since 1979 and both species are presumed extinct.<ref name="streamfrogs" />

There are numerous theories as to why frog species have declined and disappeared, a possible cause is the [[chytrid fungus]] ''Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis'' which has been attributed to the decline of 14 [[montane]] specialist frogs in undisturbed rainforest habitat.<ref>Laurance, W.F., McDonald, K.R., Speare, R., 1996. Epidemic Disease and the Catastrophic Decline of Australian Rain Forest Frogs. Conserv. Biol. 10, 406–413. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1996.10020406.x</ref><ref name="retallick">Retallick, R.W.R., McCallum, H., Speare, R., 2004. Endemic Infection of the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus in a Frog Community Post-Decline. PLoS Biol 2, e351. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0020351 {{open access}}</ref> Epidemics of the chytrid fungus have also occurred in [[Eungella National Park]] in [[North Queensland]] around 1985-1986 causing the decline of the Eungella gastric brooding frog ''Rheobatrachus vitellinus''.<ref name="retallick" /> The fungus is highly pathogenic and rapidly causes the decline and death of the host. In the case of the Eungella gastric brooding frog the population was able to persist and recover however the chytrid fungus still persists in the frog population.<ref name="retallick" /> The federal government has identified the chytrid fungus as a key threatening process for stream frogs in Australia and has subsequently developed a threat abatement plan for the disease.<ref>Environment, D. of the, 2008. Infection of amphibians with chytrid fungus resulting in chytridiomycosis [WWW Document]. URL http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/infection-amphibians-chytrid-fungus-resulting-chytridiomycosis (accessed 4.25.14).</ref>

=== Forestry plantations ===

The national park borders areas of state forest and hoop pine plantations which are subject to on-going harvesting activities, these pose potential environmental threats to black-breasted button-quail which inhabits areas adjacent to the hoop pine plantations.<ref name="nprsr" /><ref name="bbq" /><ref>Hamley, T., Flower, P., Smith, G.C., 1997. Present and past distribution of the black-breasted button-quail "Turnix melanogaster" (gould) in Queensland [WWW Document]. URL http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=161854230553735;res=IELHSS (accessed 4.25.14).</ref> The plumed frogmouth is sensitive to disturbance and has specialised habitat requirements of pristine forests, there are potential impacts from forest harvesting of native timber in the Conondale region.<ref name="smithetal" /> Additional impacts from forestry operations include increased [[siltation]] and [[erosion]] from disused roads and tracks may impact water quality.<ref name="nprsr" />
[[File:Bush fire at Captain Creek central Queensland Australia..JPG|thumb|Many species in the park are sensitive to fire]]

=== Fire management ===

Fire has been identified as having impacts on species within the park, studies of the eastern bristlebird indicates it responds well to planned mosaic burning which allows the bird to move into areas of unburnt habitat after fire. Feral animal baiting after fire is also needed as reduced vegetation cover leaves the birds more susceptible to predation from feral cats and [[foxes]].<ref name="lindenmayer">Lindenmayer, D.B., MacGregor, C., Wood, J.T., Cunningham, R.B., Crane, M., Michael, D., Montague-Drake, R., Brown, D., Fortescue, M., Dexter, N., Hudson, M., Gill, A.M., 2009. What factors influence rapid post-fire site re-occupancy? A case study of the endangered Eastern Bristlebird in eastern Australia. Int. J. Wildland Fire 18, 84–95.</ref> Species like the black-breasted button-quail and glossy black-cockatoos are also fire sensitive, the ''Eucalyptus montivaga'' community is reliant on fire for maintenance of a healthy understorey.<ref name="nprsr" /><ref name="bbq" /><ref>Schodde, R., Mason, I., Wood, J., 1993. Geographical Differentiation in the Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami (Temminck) and Its History. Emu 93, 156–166.</ref> A fire management strategy has been prepared for Conondale National Park with the ''Eucalyptus montivaga'' vegetation community currently being studied for its response to fire.<ref name="nprsr" />

=== Climate change ===
[[File:Assa darlingtoni.jpg|thumb|Pouched frog ''Assa darlingtoni'' may also be particularly susceptible to climate change]]
Climate change has been identified as a major threat to flora and fauna around the globe, amphibians have been identified as being particularly susceptible to climate changes. In a recent study identified a number of species in Conondale National Park as [[Climate change vulnerability|vulnerable to climate change]] which included the fleay's barred frog, pouched frog, Australian logrunner, challenger skink and plumed frogmouth.<ref name="Hagger, V. 2013"/> A possible cause of rapid declines in frog species could be attributed to climate change and the increase in UV light especially in high altitude regions.<ref name="streamfrogs" /> The Conondale crayfish which is sensitive to changes in temperature and may be impacted by future changes to climate temperature,<ref name="redlist" /> the ''Eucalyptus montivaga'' vegetation community may also be particularly susceptible to climate change.<ref>Young, P., 2007. 13. The CAR principle of adequacy of the National Reserve System in the context of climate change. Prot. Areas Buffering Nat. Clim. Change 18, 100.</ref>
[[File:Lantana camara flower leaf fruit.jpg|thumb|''Lantana camara'' threatens rainforest]]

=== Management of pest plants and animals ===

A pest management strategy is currently being implemented for plant weed species such as lantana ''Lantana camara'', dutchmans pipe, cat's claw creeper ''Macfadyena unguis-cati'' and crofton weed ''Ageratina adenophora'' which threaten species such as the richmond birdwing butterfly, eastern bristlebird and notophyll vine forests.<ref name="nprsr" /><ref name="bristlebird" /><ref name="lindenmayer" />

A number of feral animals are impacting native species and degrading habitat, feral animals in the park include cats ''[[Felis catus]]'', foxes ''[[Vulpes vulpes]]'' and wild dogs ''[[Canis familiaris]]'' and pose specific threats to native animal species such as ground dwelling small mammals and birds such as the eastern bristlebird.<ref name="nprsr" /><ref name="lindenmayer" /> Feral pigs ''[[Sus scrofa]]'' are being managed through on-going trapping, baiting and photo monitoring to reduce threats to species such as eastern bristlebirds, long-nosed potoroos and black-breasted button-quails. Red deer ''[[Cervus elaphus]]'' are also impacting on the habitat of  frogs and eastern bristlebirds.<ref name="nprsr" />

==See also==
{{Portal|Queensland}}
* [[Protected areas of Queensland]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/conondale/ Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing - Conondale National Park]

{{South East Queensland}}
{{National Parks of Queensland}}

[[Category:National parks of South East Queensland]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1977]]
[[Category:1977 establishments in Australia]]