It is a region of spectacular scenery and rugged topography with fast-flowing rivers, deep gorges and numerous waterfalls. Mountain summits provide expansive vistas of undisturbed rainforests. One of the largest rainforest areas in Australia centres around the Daintree River valley. The association of fringing coral reefs and rainforest coastline in the Cape Tribulation region is not found elsewhere in Australia and is rare in the world. The Wet Tropics provides the only habitat for numerous rare species of plants and animals. There are 380 plants and 102 animals in the Wet Tropics that are considered rare or threatened. These species include 40 rare animal species, including the northern bettong, the spotted-tailed quoll, the yellow-bellied glider and the southern cassowary. The vegetation is predominantly rainforest, but includes mixtures with sclerophyll tree species occurring as emergent and co-dominant species in the canopy. Fringing the rainforests are tall, open forest, and tall, medium and low woodland. A striking and unique feature is the sharp demarcation between the rainforest and adjacent sclerophyll vegetation. The Wet Tropics rainforests contain an almost complete record of the major stages in the evolution of plant life on earth. Many rainforest species originated when Australia was still part of Gondwana. These rainforests are floristically and structurally the most diverse in Australia. They include 13 major structural types, further classified into 64 broad plant communities. Mangrove forests cover 136 km2. Their floristic diversity is the highest of any mangrove community in Australia and comparable with that of any in the world; 29 ‘species associations’ have been defined.Of particular importance are the primitive flowering plants in the rainforests. Of 19 families of angiosperms recognised as primitive, 13 are found in the Wet Tropics. Two of these are confined to the area. This gives the Wet Tropics the highest concentration of such families on earth. The rainforests are important as habitats for the conservation of the plant family Proteaceae, in particular the more primitive genera of the family. These genera represent the nearest relatives of the ancestors of the sclerophyll types, for example, banksias, grevilleas, persoonias, that form a major part of the Australian flora. There is a large number of plant species with very restricted distribution within the Wet Tropics. There are some curiosities, including one of the largest and one of the smallest cycads in the world. The area has the richest concentration of ferns and fern allies in Australia (65 per cent of Australia’s fern species), including 46 species restricted to the area. The rainforests also contain a number of unique marsupials, including the musky rat kangaroo, which is probably the most primitive surviving kangaroo species. The Wet Tropics is home to 30 per cent of Australia’s marsupial species, 58 per cent of bat species, 29 per cent of frog species, 20 per cent of reptile species, 58 per cent of the butterfly species and 40 per cent of bird species. There are around 85 species of vertebrate animals unique to the area. Aboriginal occupation of the area probably dates back to the earliest human occupation of Australia (c. 50,000 years BP), and one of the recorded stories appears to describe the volcanic activity that produced some crater lakes (up to 20,000 years ago), when the rainforests were smaller than today. The district is a rich environment for Aboriginal hunter gatherers. About 18 Rainforest Aboriginal tribal groups occupied the area, and used a range of forest products including several toxic plants that required complex treatment to make them safe to eat. Such intensive use of toxic food plants is not recorded elsewhere. The Wet Tropics holds great significance for the local Aboriginal communities, which identify as ‘rainforest people’. The management of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area is on three levels. A State and Commonwealth Ministerial Council coordinates policies and funding. The Wet Tropics Management Authority is responsible for general planning and policy development, advised by Rainforest Aboriginal Advisory, Community Consultative and Scientific Advisory Committees. The Queensland Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Natural Resources and Water manage the day-to-day aspects of the Wet Tropics.
Wet Tropics of Queensland
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Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Commonwealth Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories, Nomination of Wet Tropical Rainforests of North-East Australia by the Government of Australia for inclusion in the World Heritage List
Climatic change and geomorphic processes during the Quaternary led to repeated coastal retreat and marine submergence.
A ‘second wave’ of rodent entry into Australia from the north (via New Guinea) and forming part of the ‘Old Endemics’ is believed to have included Hydromys; Uromys and Melomys groups; all of which are represented in the nominated area. (n) The extreme effects of the Pleistocene glacial periods on tropical rainforest vegetation Even though marked changes in global climates had occurred during the Tertiary; it was not until about 2.5 million years ago; that a series of dramatic changes of climate; the Pleistocene ice ages; began; which changed the face of the earth; causing extinctions; speciations and profound changes in distributions of plants and animals (Livingstone van der Hammen; 1978).
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Wet Tropics Management Authority, Wet Tropics Strategic Plan 2020-2030
The high level of threatened species is related to the unique evolution of the flora and fauna in the Wet Tropics; as well as loss of habitat due to forest clearing and changes to water and fire regimes.
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Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, World Heritage Places - Wet Tropics of Queensland
In addition; a key emerging threat to the integrity of the property is climate change; as with even a small increase in temperature; large declines in the range size for almost every endemic vertebrate species confined to the property are predicted.
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IUCN World Heritage Outlook, Wet Tropics of Queensland, 2014
However; the insidious and damaging threat posed by invasive plants; animals and diseases; exacerbated by predicted impacts of climate change present a real danger to the continuing integrity of the site’s biodiversity and associated endemic species.
The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Climate change threatens to disrupt the finely balanced ecological and climatic conditions that support the distinctive assemblage of plants and animals that exist in the Area and may result in rapid and catastrophic changes.
Climate change is emerging as a major threat to biodiversity values and can exacerbate impacts of other threatening processes such as fragmentation; pests weeds and changed water and fire regimes.
The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Climate change (temperature increases between 1.4 C by 2030 and 4.2 C by 2070 predicted under high emission scenarios) will likely have severe and interacting effects on the values of the Area; particularly on animals with low temperature range tolerances.
Climate change is emerging as a major threat to biodiversity values and can exacerbate impacts of other threatening processes such as fragmentation; pests weeds and changed water and fire regimes.
Predicted effects of climate change will increase frequency of droughts and associated hot fires allowing weeds such as guinea grass and molasses grass to establish; changing the seasonality and intensity of ground fires when they dominate ground cover (Cons strategy 2005 p75).
The projected impacts of climate change are a serious concern.
The threat posed by invasive weeds; pests and pathogens; exacerbated by predicted climate change is beyond the control of WTMA.
There are strong indications that cool adapted upland possum species are being adversely impacted by small changes in climatic conditions.
Exceptional biodiversity High Concern Trend Deteriorating There are significant threats to the biodiversity of the Wet Tropics posed by invasive species and diseases; exacerbated by predicted climate change.
Corridors will become increasingly important as climate change is predicted to lead to hotter and drier weather in the dry season.
In 2010 the Authority was successful in securing 600;000 from the Australian Government’s Caring for Our Country initiative for a project referred to as Making Connections Building Landscape Resilience to Climate Change in the Wet Tropics Landscape’.
Scientific modelling has shown that improving connectivity in the cool; high areas of the Southern Atherton Tablelands could help build the resilience of the region to climate change and provide a refuge for the unique plants and animals of the Wet Tropics that are sensitive to rising temperatures.
Whilst extreme weather events such as cyclone Yasi in 2011 have dramatic visual impacts through extensive damage to vegetation; these effects are part of the natural cycle and are comparatively short lived.
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IUCN World Heritage Outlook, Wet Tropics of Queensland, 2017
However; the insidious and damaging threat posed by invasive plants; animals and diseases; and the high risk posed by the predicted impacts of climate change present real danger to the continuing integrity of the site’s biodiversity and associated endemic species.
The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Climate change threatens to disrupt the finely balanced ecological and climatic conditions that support the distinctive assemblage of plants and animals and may result in rapid and catastrophic changes.
Climate change is emerging as a major threat to biodiversity values and can exacerbate impacts of other threatening processes such as fragmentation; pests weeds and changed water and fire regimes.
The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Climate change (will likely have severe and interacting effects on the Outstanding Universal Value of the Area; particularly on animals with low temperature range tolerances and montane flora and fauna.
Climate change is emerging as a major threat to biodiversity values and can exacerbate impacts of other threatening processes such as fragmentation; pests weeds and changed water and fire regimes.
Droughts High Threat Inside site; throughout( 50 ) Outside site Predicted effects of climate change will increase frequency of droughts and associated hot fires allowing weeds such as guinea grass and molasses grass to establish; changing the seasonality and intensity of ground fires when they dominate ground cover (Cons strategy 2005 p75).
The projected impacts of climate change are a serious concern.
The threat posed by invasive weeds; pests and pathogens; exacerbated by predicted climate change is beyond the control of WTMA.
There are strong indications that cool adapted upland possum species; such as the ancient lineage Green Ringtail Possum; Tooth Billed bowerbird; and others are being adversely impacted by small changes in climatic conditions (SWT 2015 6.
Additional information Benefits Understanding Benefits Carbon sequestration; Water provision (importance for water quantity and quality) The rainforest acts as a significant carbon sink; helping to mitigate the effects of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to impacts directly on the WHA; many visitors come for the dual spectacle of the rainforest and the reef which is also at high risk under climate change.
Fr In 2010 the Authority was successful in securing 600;000 from the Australian Government’s Caring for Our Country initiative for a project referred to as Making Connections Building Landscape 20 Resilience to Climate Change in the Wet Tropics Landscape’. 17 Scientific modelling has shown that improving connectivity in the To cool; high areas of the Southern Atherton Tablelands could help build the resilience of the region to climate change and provide a 20 refuge for the unique plants and animals of the Wet Tropics that 17 are sensitive to rising temperatures.
In addition to impacts directly on the WHA; many visitors come for the dual spectacle of the rainforest and the reef which is also at high risk under climate change.
Preliminary evidence from Christmas Island suggests drying events may facilitate Yellow Crazy Ant supercolonies; so this is a possible emerging risk (Parks Australia and LaTrobe University 2015).
Whilst extreme weather events such as cyclone Yasi in 2011 have dramatic visual impacts through extensive damage to vegetation; these effects are part of the natural cycle and are comparatively short lived.
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IUCN World Heritage Outlook, Wet Tropics of Queensland, 2020
However; the insidious and damaging threat posed by invasive plants; animals and diseases; and the impacts of climate change present real danger to the continuing integrity of the site’s biodiversity and associated endemic species.
The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage site is also particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Climate change will have severe effects on the Outstanding Universal Value of the site; particularly on animals with low temperature range tolerances and montane flora and fauna.
Climate change is a matter of serious concern and is predicted to lead to an increased severity of cyclones.
Invasive species and climate change may result in rapid and catastrophic changes that increasingly threaten the region’s flora and fauna and ecological systems (WTMA; 2011).
Habitat Shifting Alteration (Climate change) Very High Threat Inside site; throughout( 50 ) Outside site Climate change is one of the most significant threats to the Area and is likely to result in widespread and substantial ecological change (WTMA; 2019).
There are a number of significant threats that the site continues to face and climate change is escalating as the most significant threat to the Wet Tropics’ long term outlook (WTMA; 2019).
Climate change is emerging as a major threat to biodiversity values and can exacerbate impacts of other threatening processes such as fragmentation; pests weeds and changed water and fire regimes.
Climate change also poses the risk of more frequent and intense cyclones and flooding; with associated disruption to ecosystems (WTMA; 2011 Krockenberger et al.; 2003).
Some keystone species are already critically endangered partly through climate change impacts (for example the Spectacled Flying Fox from extreme temperature events).
Work by Williams et al. of James Cook University indicates measurable declines in mid and high elevation species and expansion upwards by some low elevation species; with ancient and unique taxa such as the tooth billed bowerbird and lemuroid ringtail possum being among the species most vulnerable to climate change.
Droughts (Predicted longer; dryer dry seasons) High Threat Inside site; throughout( 50 ) Outside site Predicted effects of climate change will increase frequency of droughts and associated hot fires which may allow weeds such as guinea grass and molasses grass to establish; changing the seasonality and intensity of ground fires when they dominate ground cover (WTMA; 2004).
The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage site is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Climate change has emerged as a major threat to biodiversity and can exacerbate impacts of other threatening processes such as fragmentation; pests weeds and changed water and fire regimes.
Apart from climate change; threats from outside the property remain and are partly a function of growing urban communities.
The projected impacts of climate change are a serious concern.
WTMA has entered into a Partnership Agreement with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships that includes a number of key deliverables addressing the threats of climate change.
Recently the Authority has been engaging with the community through Social Media sharing stories that increase understanding and appreciation of the area while also highlighting the Indigenous cultural significance of the area and the risk of climate change and need for action.
In this time of climate change it is imperative to ensure high quality monitoring of crucial conditions associated with the Outstanding Universal Value of the site.
The Authority is engaged with a number of local conservation and NRM groups in improving connectivity in the southern Atherton Tablelands to help build resilience to climate change.
There are strong indications that cool adapted upland possum species; such as the ancient lineage green ringtail possum; the lemuroid ringtail possum; and others as well as high altitude birds such as golden bowerbird are being adversely impacted by existing changes in climatic conditions (WTMA; 2016).
This threat is exacerbated by the predicted impacts of climate change as well as on going fragmentation of the site and consequent loss of habitat connectivity (WTMA; 2012).
Exceptional biodiversity High Concern Trend Deteriorating There are significant threats to the biodiversity of the Wet Tropics posed by invasive species and diseases; exacerbated by predicted climate change.
Additional information Benefits Understanding Benefits Carbon sequestration; Water provision (importance for water quantity and quality) The rainforest acts as a significant carbon sink; helping to mitigate the effects of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
Factors negatively affecting provision of this benefit Climate change Impact level Moderate; Trend Increasing Invasive species Impact level Moderate; Trend Increasing Summary of benefits The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage site provides very substantial environmental cultural; spiritual; health; wellbeing and economic benefits to the local population and is of considerable significance to the wider global community in terms of wilderness values; outdoor recreation; scientific research value and the environmental services provided by the rainforest.
The increase in temperature; and therefore evaporation; increasing dry season length and severity; and increasingly open canopies from high intensity cyclones has the potential to vastly increase fuel loads; fire danger and frequency potentially triggering structural; floristic and faunal changes to entire ecosystems.
The increase in temperature; and therefore evaporation; increasing dry season length and severity; and increasingly open canopies from high intensity cyclones have the potential to vastly increase fuel loads; fire danger and frequency potentially triggering structural; floristic and faunal changes to entire ecosystems.
This carries a risk of fire becoming a real threat to the rainforest; which is typically a fire sensitive ecosystem (WTMA; 2015).
Whilst extreme weather events such as cyclone Yasi in 2011 have dramatic visual impacts through extensive damage to vegetation; these effects are part of the natural cycle and are comparatively short lived.
Increased frequency of extreme weather events (as anticipated) will lead to more impacts on superlative natural beauty.
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