Wild discoveries of citizen scientists

Above: Tropical Soda Apple (TSA)

Nature enthusiasts are uncovering rare and invasive plant species in Moreton Bay, helping to protect our natural environment.

Photos have been uploading photos on the community app iNaturalist, which suggests identifications and creates research data for scientists, researchers and 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.

“Every sighting shared on iNaturalist helps paint a clearer picture of the rich biodiversity in Moreton Bay,” Mayor Peter Flannery 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 it prevents livestock from accessing shade and water, not to mention 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.”

Learn more about TSA in Moreton Bay here.

Discovery of endangered species

Another important discovery has been the threatened Birdwing Butterfly Vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa), a rare vine and essential host plant for the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly, the largest sub-tropical butterfly in Australia.

The critically endangered Scrub Turpentine (Rhodamnia rubescens) has also been spotted. Once common in rainforests, it has been severely impacted by invasive myrtle rust fungus.

Also on the list is the Bush Sophora (Sophora fraseri), a shrub often mistaken for the weed Easter cassia – which may have contributed to its decline in Queensland.

iNaturalist shows the City’s bushland is alive with a variety of wild macadamias and an array of native orchids, from Large Tongue Orchid to Fairy Lantern Orchids.

Bush and land care groups have pages on iNaturalist and Moreton Bay’s environmental centres at Burpengary, Griffin and Eatons Hill for nature trails and displays.