These forests require fire intervals of no less than 300 years to reach maturity but such closed forests have been in retreat since the middle Holocene probably due to increasing fire frequency as well as climatic change and decreasing soil fertility.

The ecosystem dynamics of the tall eucalypt forests are likely to be vulnerable to long term climate change; given their degree of sensitivity to fire regimes.

Fire frequency is the most critical variable in the vegetation patterning of the area because the major vegetation types differ remarkably in their abilities to resist; recover from and support fire.

Fire continues to be the greatest threat to much of the more remote country.

Another fire sensitive conifer; Huon pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii); was widespread across Australia in Gondwanan times but is now found only in western Tasmania.

It is only the seeds held in the small seed capsules at the time of the fire which can survive the heat.

Individuals of these species are particularly sensitive to fire and exemplify the apparent paradox that for their genetic material to survive they must be destroyed by the fires.

Fire frequency is the most critical variable in the vegetation patterning of the area because the major vegetation types differ remarkably in their abilities to resist; recover from and support fire.

Fire continues to be the greatest threat to much of the more remote country.

Another fire sensitive conifer; Huon pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii); was widespread across Australia in Gondwanan times but is now found only in western Tasmania.

It is only the seeds held in the small seed capsules at the time of the fire which can survive the heat.

Individuals of these species are particularly sensitive to fire and exemplify the apparent paradox that for their genetic material to survive they must be destroyed by the fires.

Potential threats include climate change; uncontrolled wildfire and new invasions of alien species and pathogens.

Potential Threats High Threat Potential threats include the geomorpghological and ecological consequences of anthropogenic climate change; uncontrolled wildfire and new invasions of alien species and pathogens.

Temperature changes High Threat Inside site Outside site Anthropogenic climate change may already be responsible for changing fire regimes that are resulting in increased soil and regolith erosion and resulting sediment transport along watercourses.

In addition to coastal erosion; climate change is likely to include temperature rise; sea level rise; extreme weather events and flash flooding which are likely to affect rates and magnitudes of change in other landscape provinces; including fluvial systems; karst and in the extensive blanket bogs supporting buttongrass ecosystems.

However some effects from climate change have already been demonstrated and many more predicted.

In montane and subalpine areas; a change in fire regimes may affect fire sensitive conifer species including Huon Pine; Pencil Pine and King Billy Pine and is likely to cause a significant decline in the populations of fire sensitive conifer species including alpine species such as Pherosphaera hookeriana; Diselma archeri and deciduous beech; and rainforest vegetation.

Changes in fire frequency and intensity have also resulted in landscape changes from extensive erosion; with a particular concern in the Central Plateau and parts of SW Tasmania (eg.

In montane and subalpine areas; a change in fire regimes may affect fire sensitive conifer species including Huon Pine; Pencil Pine and King Billy Pine and is likely to cause a significant decline in the populations of fire sensitive conifer species including alpine species such as Pherosphaera hookeriana; Diselma archeri and deciduous beech; and rainforest vegetation.

Changes in fire frequency and intensity have also resulted in landscape changes from extensive erosion; with a particular concern in the Central Plateau and parts of SW Tasmania (eg.

Climate change is an overarching concern and has plausibly been linked to already observable changes in fire frequency and intensity; changes that pose potentially catastrophic threats ancient life forms that are some of the key attributes of the property.

Landscape scale fires caused by climate change constitute a major threat to many of the property’s ancient life forms.

Potential Threats High Threat Potential threats include the geomorphological and ecological consequences of anthropogenic climate change; uncontrolled wildfires at a landscape scale; new invasions of alien species and pathogens; and loss of wilderness character due to proposed tourism developments in remote locations.

The modelled impacts of climate change (more frequent and intense wild fires at the hottest time of the year) present a serious threat to many of the property’s most charismatic attributes; such as ancient pines; alpine vegetation; riverine rainforest; and extensive peatlands.

In addition to coastal erosion; climate change is likely to include temperature rise; sea level rise; extreme weather events and flash flooding which are anticipated to affect rates and magnitudes of further change; including fluvial systems; karst and in the extensive blanket bogs supporting buttongrass ecosystems.

Although evaporation rates will increase; streamflow response is likely to be unpredictable; and there will be a reduction in snow cover and a rise in the climatic treeline (Australian National University; 2009 Law; 2009).

A Senate Inquiry into the impacts of the 2016 fires heard from numerous witnesses that climate change is exacerbating the impacts of such fires on vulnerable flora within the Tasmanian Wilderness (The Wilderness Society et al; 2016 Parliament of Australia; 2016).

It can reasonably be argued that anticipated climate change will increase the vulnerability of highly specialized plants; especially in the alpine realm.

Climate change is also expected to increase the frequency and intensity of fires; which is another serious threat (Parliament of Australia; 2016 The Wilderness Society et al; 2016).

Relict and endemic frogs High Concern Trend Stable As elsewhere; amphibians are extremely vulnerable to globally observable decline; attributed to a range of interacting factors; including climate change and fungal disease.

Endemic and threatened skinks High Concern Trend Stable While the various endemic skink species are not subject to any immediate known threats; they are potentially threatened by climate change; in particular in the vulnerable alpine communities.

Landscape scale fires caused by climate change constitute a major threat to many of the property’s ancient life forms.

The process of vegetation succession and impacts of fire are exemplified in buttongrass moorlands which provide habitat for a unique array of bird and invertebrate fauna they are an integral part to the unique beauty of the Tasmanian Wilderness (Balmer et al; 2004).

The project concluded that the property’s values that are most threatened by an increase in fire frequency are fire sensitive palaeoendemic species; alpine and rainforest ecosystems and organic soils and landforms (Press (Ed.); 2016).

Many view the major bushfires which raged through Tasmania in early 2016 as indicators of change and assume major shifts in the fire regimes.

In montane and subalpine areas; a change in fire regimes may affect fire sensitive conifer species including Huon Pine; Pencil Pine and King Billy Pine and is likely to cause a significant decline in the populations of fire sensitive conifer species; including alpine species such as Pherosphaera hookeriana; Diselma archeri and deciduous beech; as well as rainforest vegetation.

The process of vegetation succession and impacts of fire are exemplified in buttongrass moorlands which provide habitat for a unique array of bird and invertebrate fauna they are an integral part to the unique beauty of the Tasmanian Wilderness (Balmer et al; 2004).

The project concluded that the property’s values that are most threatened by an increase in fire frequency are fire sensitive palaeoendemic species; alpine and rainforest ecosystems and organic soils and landforms (Press (Ed.); 2016).

Many view the major bushfires which raged through Tasmania in early 2016 as indicators of change and assume major shifts in the fire regimes.

In montane and subalpine areas; a change in fire regimes may affect fire sensitive conifer species including Huon Pine; Pencil Pine and King Billy Pine and is likely to cause a significant decline in the populations of fire sensitive conifer species; including alpine species such as Pherosphaera hookeriana; Diselma archeri and deciduous beech; as well as rainforest vegetation.

Climate change is an overarching concern and has plausibly been linked to already observable changes in fire frequency and intensity.

However; areas of the community have been destroyed or damaged by fires in the last decade; and the impacts of climate change are predicted to be greatest on the Central Plateau where most of the community occurs (IUCN Consultation; 2020).

Although outside of the World Heritage site; this is a significant increase in altitudinal limit for this pathogen (potentially linked to climate change); which increases the risk posed in the World Heritage site (IUCN Consultation; 2020).

Low Threat Erosion and Siltation Deposition (Erosion) Inside site; scattered(5 15 ) Outside site Extensive erosion on the Central Plateau due to historic land use practices; bank erosion on the middle Gordon River due to regulation for electricity generation and several western rivers due to wave wake from boats; and coastal erosion on south west beaches due to climate related sea level rise; threaten geodiversity values and dependent natural and cultural alues.

Potential Threats High Threat Potential threats include the geomorphological and ecological consequences of anthropogenic climate change; uncontrolled bushfires at a landscape scale; new invasions of alien species and pathogens; and loss of wilderness character due to proposed tourism developments in remote locations.

Habitat Shifting Alteration; Droughts; Temperature extremes (Climate change) Very High Threat Inside site; throughout( 50 ) Outside site Anthropogenic climate change may already be responsible for a broad range of changes and increasing vulnerability (PWS; 2016).

In addition to coastal erosion; climate change is likely to include temperature rise; sea level rise; extreme weather events and flash flooding which are anticipated to affect rates and magnitudes of further change; including fluvial systems; alpine landforms; karst and in the extensive blanket bogs supporting buttongrass ecosystems.

A warming and drying climate is also likely to reduce the probability of eucalypts being able to attain giant tree very tall forest status in future (DPIPWE 2018).

Despite the increase in extent and number of vary tall forests and tall trees; climate change is expected to have an increasing impact on these values due to the combination of increased attrition from bushfire and changed climate reducing the potential height of regrowth.

An additional potential threat is erosion and other changes due to fire and climate change.

There are also indications that climate change may be causing a reduction in the area of active periglacial features (Annandale and Kirkpatrick; 2017).

In the medium term; changes in fire regimes and climate will affect the nature and distribution of most ecological processes; from coastal progradation to alpine pool formation (IUCN Consultation; 2020b).

It can be reasonably argued that anticipated impacts due to climate change will increase the vulnerability of highly specialized plants; especially in the alpine realm.

Climate change impacts are also expected to increase the frequency and intensity of fires; further threatening these relict species (Parliament of Australia; 2016 The Wilderness Society et al; 2016).

Relict and endemic frogs High Concern Trend Stable Globally amphibians are extremely vulnerable to a range of interacting factors; including climate change and fungal diseases such as Chytrid.

Endemic and threatened reptiles High Concern Trend Stable While the various endemic skink species are not subject to any immediate known threats; they are potentially threatened by climate change; particularly those in alpine communities.

The shallow wetlands of the Central Plateau are likely to dry out more with climate change; possibly threatening some native fish species (Davies and Driessen; 2018).

Factors negatively affecting provision of this benefit Climate change Impact level Moderate; Trend Increasing Carbon sequestration; Soil stabilisation; Coastal protection; Flood prevention; Water provision (importance for water quantity and quality) This vast World Heritage site provides a wide range of services; including but not limited to carbon sequestration; water regulation and purification; soil stabilisation and coastal protection.

Fire Fire Suppression (Fire and fire regimes) High Threat Inside site; widespread(15 50 ) Outside site Bushfires; especially ‘landscape scale fires’ (i.e. fires that are not stopped by natural fire boundaries such as wet forest or major rivers) and peat fires are a great threat.

Concurrently; the occurrence of extremely dry and hot summers promotes the occurrence of large; intense fires that pose a severe threat to the site’s ancient life forms; most of which have limited capacity to regenerate after fire (PWS; 2015).

The project concluded that the site’s values that are most threatened by an increase in fire frequency are fire sensitive palaeoendemic species; alpine and rainforest ecosystems and organic soils and landforms (Press (Ed.); 2016).

In montane and subalpine areas; a change in fire regimes may reduce the range of fire sensitive palaeoendemic trees including Huon Pine; Pencil Pine and King Billy Pine and is likely to cause a significant decline in the populations of alpine fire sensitive palaeoendemic species; such as Pherosphaera hookeriana; Diselma archeri and deciduous beech.

Fire Fire Suppression (Fire and fire regimes) High Threat Inside site; widespread(15 50 ) Outside site Bushfires; especially ‘landscape scale fires’ (i.e. fires that are not stopped by natural fire boundaries such as wet forest or major rivers) and peat fires are a great threat.

Concurrently; the occurrence of extremely dry and hot summers promotes the occurrence of large; intense fires that pose a severe threat to the site’s ancient life forms; most of which have limited capacity to regenerate after fire (PWS; 2015).

The project concluded that the site’s values that are most threatened by an increase in fire frequency are fire sensitive palaeoendemic species; alpine and rainforest ecosystems and organic soils and landforms (Press (Ed.); 2016).

In montane and subalpine areas; a change in fire regimes may reduce the range of fire sensitive palaeoendemic trees including Huon Pine; Pencil Pine and King Billy Pine and is likely to cause a significant decline in the populations of alpine fire sensitive palaeoendemic species; such as Pherosphaera hookeriana; Diselma archeri and deciduous beech.

The mission concluded that the property is in an overall good state of conservation in regard to its natural values; but notes that the property faces a number of threats likely to be aggravated by climate change.

The mission’s conclusion was that the property is in an overall good state of conservation in regard to its natural values; but notes that the property faces a number of threats likely to be aggravated by climate change.

The mission’s conclusion was that the property is in an overall good state of conservation in regard to its natural values; but notes that the property faces a number of threats likely to be aggravated by climate change.

The mission concluded that the property is in an overall good state of conservation in regard to its natural values; but notes that the property faces a number of threats likely to be aggravated by climate change.

The areas impacted included a small proportion of the property’s fire sensitive alpine and subalpine landscapes; including a very small percentage of the total extent of pencil pine (Athrotaxis cupressoides).

The areas impacted included a small proportion of the property’s fire sensitive alpine and subalpine landscapes; including a very small percentage of the total extent of pencil pine (Athrotaxis cupressoides).

The boundary of Phytophthora infection is located only 15 metres from the Kings Holly’ stand; however in the absence of fire it is not considered to threaten the stand.

Repeated fire at short intervals reduces populations of these relatively fire sensitive species.

In January 2014; in collaboration with the University of Tasmania; integrated post fire monitoring of the impacts of a landscape scale fire on fish; invertebrates; water quality and geomorphology was conducted.

There was a shift in community composition of macroinvertebrates in relation to fire with a decrease in mayflies; stoneflies and caddisflies and an increase in worms and midge larvae in burnt areas.

The boundary of Phytophthora infection is located only 15 metres from the Kings Holly’ stand; however in the absence of fire it is not considered to threaten the stand.

Repeated fire at short intervals reduces populations of these relatively fire sensitive species.

In January 2014; in collaboration with the University of Tasmania; integrated post fire monitoring of the impacts of a landscape scale fire on fish; invertebrates; water quality and geomorphology was conducted.

There was a shift in community composition of macroinvertebrates in relation to fire with a decrease in mayflies; stoneflies and caddisflies and an increase in worms and midge larvae in burnt areas.

According to climate change projections; the current trends of increased fire frequency and longer fire season duration are likely to continue; together with an increase in the flammability of fire sensitive communities and organic soils.

Extreme fire sensitive communities contain components that will not recover from fire.

There have been localised impacts on important fire sensitive vegetation values.

The vegetation communities supporting the very tall forests although impacted will recover; given long fire free intervals.

Extreme fire sensitive communities contain components that will not recover from fire.

There have been localised impacts on important fire sensitive vegetation values.

The vegetation communities supporting the very tall forests although impacted will recover; given long fire free intervals.