Flora and fauna flourishes in Mosman

Native plant species are thriving and bushland health is improving in Mosman according to Mosman Council’s latest comprehensive Flora and Fauna Survey conducted earlier this year.

The last survey of this kind was carried out in 2007 and major improvements were noted since then.

Some of the survey’s key environmental findings included:

• Identification of 490 indigenous native plant species, compared to 454 in 2007
• Indigenous vegetation cover has increased to 66%, compared to 47% in 2007
• Confirmation of the presence of bandicoots and
• Identification of an additional threatened fauna species in Mosman. The presence of the large-footed myotis, a type of fishing bat, was initially recorded in Sydney Harbour in 2014 and has now been officially recorded in Mosman’s 2016 Flora and Fauna Survey.

An inventory of fauna habitat features for each bushland site around Mosman has also been created, providing an indication of which species is likely to occur and which habitat niches can be created to improve biodiversity on various sites.

“These strong results confirm that Mosman Council’s long-term approach and commitment to bushland management and restoration is working,” Manager Environment and Open Space Steve Smith said.

“The survey’s findings are also an acknowledgement of the hard work of our 80 dedicated bushcare volunteers who give up their own time to help restore local bushland sites.”