Wet Tropics of Queensland
Country
Australia
Inscribed in
1988
Criteria
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
(x)
The conservation outlook for this site has been assessed as "significant concern" in the latest assessment cycle. Explore the Conservation Outlook Assessment for the site below. You have the option to access the summary, or the detailed assessment.
This area, which stretches along the north-east coast of Australia for some 450 km, is made up largely of tropical rainforests. This biotope offers a particularly extensive and varied array of plants, as well as marsupials and singing birds, along with other rare and endangered animals and plant species. © UNESCO
Summary
2020 Conservation Outlook
Finalised on
02 Dec 2020
Significant concern
Current state and trend of VALUES
High Concern
Trend
Deteriorating
Overall THREATS
Overall PROTECTION and MANAGEMENT
Full assessment
Finalised on
02 Dec 2020
Description of values
Superlative natural beauty
Criterion
(vii)
The Wet Tropics exhibits exceptional natural beauty, with superlative scenic features highlighted by extensive sweeping forest vistas, wild rivers, waterfalls, rugged gorges and coastal scenery. This is particularly apparent between the Daintree River and Cedar Bay, where exceptional coastal scenery combines tropical rainforest and white sandy beaches with fringing offshore coral reefs (World Heritage Committee, 2012).
Living examples of ancient and primitive rainforest species
Criterion
(viii)
The Wet Tropics contains one of the most complete and diverse living records of the major stages in the evolution of land plants, from the very first pteridophytes more than 200 million years ago, to the evolution of seed-producing plants including the cone-bearing cycads and southern conifers (gymnosperms), followed by the flowering plants (angiosperms). As the Wet Tropics is the largest part of the entire Australasian region where rainforests have persisted continuously since Gondwanan times, its living flora, with the highest concentration of primitive, archaic and relict taxa known, is the closest modern-day counterpart for Gondwanan forests. In addition, all of Australia’s unique marsupials and most of its other animals originated in rainforest ecosystems, and the Wet Tropics still contains many of their closest surviving members (World Heritage Committee, 2012).
Unique rainforest ecosystems
Criterion
(ix)
As a centre of endemism for the region the Wet Tropics provides fundamental insights into evolutionary patterns both in isolation from and in interaction with other rainforests. Its tall, open forests on the drier western margins of the rainforest are also significant as part of an evolutionary continuum of rainforest and sclerophyll forests. Eucalypts, that now dominate the Australian landscape, are considered to have evolved from such rainforest stock and radiated into drier environments from the margins of closed forests (World Heritage Committee, 2012).
Exceptional biodiversity
Criterion
(x)
The Wet Tropics holds a largely intact flora and fauna with hundreds of endemic species restricted to the site, of which many are classified as threatened. The majority of plant species have restricted distributions, and many monotypic plant genera and several species of marsupials, frogs and reptiles have very restricted distributions either as isolated or disjunct populations, reflecting the refugial nature of the rainforests found in several locations. The diversity of the plant communities and animal habitats of the Wet Tropics is recognised as being the most floristically and structurally diverse in Australia and is also outstanding on a global scale. Among many emblematic species occurring in the site is the flightless Australian cassowary, one of the largest birds in the world (World Heritage Committee, 2012). The Wet Tropics area supports an exceptionally high level of diversity of flora, with over 3,300 described plant species in 224 families, of which 708 species and 48 genera are endemic, including one endemic plant family (WTMA, 2019).
In an Australian context, the Wet Tropics covers less than 0.12% of the total area of the Australian landmass. The area contains 30% of the marsupial species; 58% of bat species; 25% of rodent species; 50% of bird species; 29% of frog species; 23% of reptile species; 60% of butterfly species; 65% of fern species; 21% of cycad species; 37% of conifer species; 30% of orchid species and 18% of Australia’s vascular plant species (WTMA, 2019).
The Wet Tropics is home to approximately 669 species of vertebrate animal, half of which are birds. This represents approximately 45% of the total vertebrate diversity across the entire Australian continent. Some 38% (254 of 669) of the Wet Tropics species commonly use rainforest and one in five (18%) are rainforest specialists. For its size, the region is especially rich in regional endemic species, with 90 species found nowhere else in the world.
Although the Wet Tropics is predominantly wet tropical rainforest and closed forest, it is fringed and in a few places dissected by sclerophyll forests, woodlands, swamps and mangrove forests, adding to its diversity. There are 113 species of reptiles in the Wet Tropics area, of which 24 species are endemic, including three monotypic endemic genera. The diversity of amphibians in the Wet Tropics includes 51 species of which 22 are endemic. There are 107 mammal species in the Wet Tropics area including 11 endemic species and two monotypic endemic genera. There are 368 bird species, of which 11 species are endemic (World Heritage Committee, 2012).
In an Australian context, the Wet Tropics covers less than 0.12% of the total area of the Australian landmass. The area contains 30% of the marsupial species; 58% of bat species; 25% of rodent species; 50% of bird species; 29% of frog species; 23% of reptile species; 60% of butterfly species; 65% of fern species; 21% of cycad species; 37% of conifer species; 30% of orchid species and 18% of Australia’s vascular plant species (WTMA, 2019).
The Wet Tropics is home to approximately 669 species of vertebrate animal, half of which are birds. This represents approximately 45% of the total vertebrate diversity across the entire Australian continent. Some 38% (254 of 669) of the Wet Tropics species commonly use rainforest and one in five (18%) are rainforest specialists. For its size, the region is especially rich in regional endemic species, with 90 species found nowhere else in the world.
Although the Wet Tropics is predominantly wet tropical rainforest and closed forest, it is fringed and in a few places dissected by sclerophyll forests, woodlands, swamps and mangrove forests, adding to its diversity. There are 113 species of reptiles in the Wet Tropics area, of which 24 species are endemic, including three monotypic endemic genera. The diversity of amphibians in the Wet Tropics includes 51 species of which 22 are endemic. There are 107 mammal species in the Wet Tropics area including 11 endemic species and two monotypic endemic genera. There are 368 bird species, of which 11 species are endemic (World Heritage Committee, 2012).
Irreplaceability
In 2013, the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage site was assessed as the second most irreplaceable natural World Heritage site currently included on the World Heritage List. The irreplaceability rank indicates the relative importance of a site among 173,461 protected areas for all the species analyzed (Bertzky et al., 2013).
A high number of species are only found in the Wet Tropics such as the mahogany glider and two tree-kangaroo species. These, along with the area’s large number of threatened species such as the southern cassowary and their distinct habitats, contributed to the Wet Tropics’ high score of irreplaceability.
A high number of species are only found in the Wet Tropics such as the mahogany glider and two tree-kangaroo species. These, along with the area’s large number of threatened species such as the southern cassowary and their distinct habitats, contributed to the Wet Tropics’ high score of irreplaceability.
Assessment information
The ongoing and increasing impact of invasive animal and plant species and diseases, such as myrtle rust, pose a significant threat to the Outstanding Universal Value of the Wet Tropics. These threats are the target of mitigation efforts by the managing authorities and community groups, which have had some limited success but which will require extra effort and continued funding over the long term to be effective. 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. It is anticipated there will be large changes in the abundance and distribution of flora and fauna. Interactions between organisms, such as predator-prey relationships and insect pollination, are likely to be disrupted, creating consequent changes in ecosystem composition, structure and function.
Habitat Shifting/ Alteration, Temperature extremes, Storms/Flooding
(Cyclones)
Inside site
, Throughout(>50%)
Outside site
The Wet Tropics rainforests exist in a zone of naturally high cyclone frequency. Ecosystems will have evolved and are generally adapted to the cycles of disturbance created by cyclones. However, the impact of cyclones is now magnified by a reduction in the adaptive capacity of rainforest ecosystems caused by clearing and fragmentation, invasive plants and animals and similar anthropogenic disturbances. Climate change is a matter of serious concern and is predicted to lead to an increased severity of cyclones. For example, severe tropical cyclone Yasi caused extensive damage in February 2011. Cyclone occurrences are predicted to be less frequent, but more intense, resulting in an increased risk of ecosystem disruption (WTMA, 2008). Impacts of climate change are dire and will require extremely active management, high responsiveness and flexibility that may not be possible with existing capacity (WTMA, 2016).
Housing/ Urban Areas
(Growing regional population inside Wet Tropics region putting a strain on resources and infrastructure)
Outside site
In 2016 240,190 people were residing in the Cairns Australian Bureau of Statistics region and in the broader region. The estimated resident population is forecast to exceed 700,000 by 2031. Visitor numbers to tropical north Queensland are increasing steadily with 2,043,000 domestic visitors and 860,000 international visitors, making a total of 2,903,000 in 2015-16 (Tourism Research Australia, n.d.). Increased demand for infrastructure like roads, dams and energy supply caused by a growing urban population and tourist visitor numbers, and distributing visitation across a wider area creates further threats to conservation (WTMA, 2019). Although these developments are carefully regulated, this leads to greater demand for water for domestic, agriculture and industrial uses, and for improved community service infrastructure in areas adjacent to the World Heritage site.
Logging/ Wood Harvesting
(Fragmentation from pre- listing extractive forestry operations)
Inside site
, Scattered(5-15%)
Outside site
Prior to the inscription of the property on the World Heritage List in 1988 the rainforests were subject to extensive timber harvesting. By 2003, over 6,500 km of logging roads had been closed (State Party of Australia, 2003). Some of the decommissioned forestry roads now form the basis of walking tracks such as the long-distance Misty Mountains Trails. No major forest loss has been documented since 1991 (Reside et al., 2017).
Roads/ Railroads
(Road maintenance)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Outside site
There are presently 1,217 km of maintained vehicle roads and tracks in the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage site. These range from major highways, to minor unmade tracks. Maintenance activities create pressure for vegetation removal and drainage disturbances, and risk introduction of pathogens and habitat fragmentation. All roads in the site are classified and management practices are regulated under the statutory Wet Tropics Management Plan (WTMA, 2020).
Invasive Non-Native/ Alien Species
(Terrestrial and freshwater invasive species and disease)
Inside site
, Throughout(>50%)
Outside site
Invasive species continue to cause impact. Threats such as feral pigs, yellow crazy ants, a number of invasive weed pests, and pathogens such as myrtle rust, will require collaborative effort and resources to manage impacts (WTMA, 2019). 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). Progress on the control and local eradication of the yellow crazy ant (covered separately in more detail below) has been significant but more remains to be done. Invasive species such as pigs, cats, tramp ants and weeds (now over 500 species) as well as plant diseases such as myrtle rust pose a threat to biosecurity and to the values of the Wet Tropics site. A small number of newly emerging weed species such as Miconia, Mikania and Limnocharis are of management concern as are Phytophthora cinnamomi, Tilapia and other invasive species, and the full impact of their presence is not yet clear. All these diseases and pests are difficult to manage and pose a very significant threat to the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the Wet Tropics if not contained. Priority needs to be given to prevention as management of incursions is too costly. It is important that all levels of government continue to invest appropriate funding to Wet Tropics biosecurity (WTMA, 2011).
Livestock Farming / Grazing
(Grazing by cattle)
Inside site
, Scattered(5-15%)
Outside site
In 2003, there were 30 grazing properties that made up approximately 8% of the Wet Tropics World Heritage site. Policy has been in place to phase out grazing as leases expire (WTMA, 2004). The longest running lease will expire in 2051. Any grazing will be subject to approval by the Authority under a Cooperative Management Agreement. Grazing practices on the boundary of the World Heritage site may offer increased fire management threats in the context of climate change and collaborative management will become even more critical (IUCN Consultation, 2020a).
Tourism/ visitors/ recreation
(Large tourist numbers putting pressure on visitor sites)
Inside site
, Scattered(5-15%)
Outside site
Visitor numbers to tropical north Queensland have been increasing steadily. The Wet Tropics Nature Based Tourism Strategy provides for focused access to designated visitor sites, managing visitor pressure. The tourism industry is recognized as a key regional partner and the WTMA has demonstrated a capacity to improve outcomes through partnership with operators (WTMA, 2019). Increased demands for novel expansion within the World Heritage site and for development of tourism infrastructure in areas not previously used raised concern in the conservation community during the revised Wet Tropics Plan processes (IUCN Consultation, 2020a). The revised Plan was released in September 2020 (IUCN Consultation, 2020d).
Crops, Livestock Farming / Grazing, Marine/ Freshwater Aquaculture
(Altered water flows and water quality run-off through the World Heritage site into coastal waters)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Outside site
Agriculture (mainly cane growing, horticulture and cattle grazing) is a significant land use in the region surrounding the Wet Tropics World Heritage site (on 2,500 neighbouring blocks). Grazing is permitted within the World Heritage site (except in rainforest) in rural parcels (WTMA, 2012). Neighbours and landholders have cooperated with the Authority and other organisations such as Terrain NRM to develop toolkits for best practice on private properties. Agricultural practices in the surrounding region have shown some improvements (supported by Terrain NRM) through work associated with protecting the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage site from polluted terrestrial run-off.
Habitat Shifting/ Alteration
(Climate change)
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). Data indicate that the status and conservation outlook has not improved since the 2017 IUCN World Heritage Outlook Report. This change will impact the biodiversity values underpinning the World Heritage listing of the site. 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). Changes to endemic and specialised cool-adapted rainforest species distribution and density have already been recorded—and some sombre predictions of modelled effects are already being realised (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. Species living at high altitudes with limited thermal tolerances, such as the green ringtail possum, will be particularly susceptible (WTMA, 2004). The biodiversity of the Wet Tropics is threatened due to predicted changed weather patterns which could seriously affect plant and animal species vulnerable to a warmer and more variable climate, and changes in cloud levels and associated water cycles. 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. All mountaintop endemic plants are likely to qualify as Critically Endangered (CR) now, under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species criteria (WTMA, n.d.). Recent draft EPBC frog and reptile assessments also list all mountaintop endemics as at risk. The majority of species listed as contributing to the Outstanding Universal Value of the site “have low resilience and are concentrated in the stable upland refugia” (WTMA, 2015), making them highly vulnerable to change, and extinction.
Invasive Non-Native/ Alien Species
(Yellow crazy ants)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Outside site
The yellow crazy ant has become established within and adjacent to the Wet Tropics World Heritage site, after having been first detected in rainforest adjacent to the World Heritage site in 2012. The Wet Tropics Management Authority has been leading a yellow crazy ant eradication program with significant success to date. The program has been jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments and has seen significant reductions in population numbers and three confirmed eradicated sites. An Independent Review of the eradication program (Spring and Kompas, 2018) concluded that eradication of yellow crazy ants in and next to the Wet Tropics World Heritage site remains feasible; the program has protected the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area from further spread of yellow crazy ants, including spread that would potentially have made eradication infeasible if yellow crazy ants reached the main water catchment supplying the Cairns area; substantial progress has been made towards eradication since 2017. In 2020 six new yellow crazy infestations have been detected, two wholly or partially within the World Heritage site's boundary. As of 15 October 2020, the total yellow crazy ant treatment area was 2008 ha, with 133 ha within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area site. (WTMA, 2020). WTMA is actively seeking to find any further yellow crazy ant infestations as part of its proposed ten-year eradication program. Substantial ongoing investment from the State and Federal governments is committed until 2022 and will need to be extended to achieve total eradication. While progress has been significant and eradication remains on track, the threat that may arise from failure would be of concern and there is much still to be accomplished (IUCN Consultation, 2020d).
Other
(Insecticide application)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Outside site
In carrying out its yellow crazy ant eradication program, WTMA applies an insecticidal bait, with fipronil as an active ingredient, to kill yellow crazy ants. Fipronil is a neurotoxin with broad-scale effects (Gibbons et al., 2015; Overmyer et al., 2007). The bait is applied at 5kg/ha up to three times per year, aerially in forested and agricultural areas and manually in residential and riparian areas. Although the bait is monopolized by yellow crazy ants when abundance is high, to achieve eradication, bait must be applied even as target ant abundance declines. The most directly affected non-target fauna will likely be other ant species. The effects are likely to be localized to the sites where bait is applied, and recolonization will likely occur over time if enough surrounding rainforest is not baited and is not compromised by other threats. WTMA minimizes excess risk from insecticide application by changing from broadscale to spot treatments as soon as surveys provide confidence in yellow crazy ant absence across large areas. WTMA has contracted an external scientist to monitor any effects of the bait on non-target terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, as well as the recovery of terrestrial invertebrates, after baiting and/or yellow crazy ant infestation.
A growing urban population in the Wet Tropics region and continuing high levels of tourism will put extra pressure on land, and water. With appropriate planning and management these impacts should be minimized. The Wet Tropics Management Authority works closely with landholders, local and state government agencies to manage these impacts. The continuing popularity of the World Heritage site as a major tourism destination, and its promotion by the WTMA, State and Federal government will see increasing pressure for visitor infrastructure in and around the World Heritage site, with a number of planned facilities. 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. This carries a risk of fire becoming a real threat to the rainforest, which is typically a fire-sensitive ecosystem.
Tourism/ visitors/ recreation
(Continuing high levels of tourism)
Inside site
, Widespread(15-50%)
A growing urban population in the Wet Tropics region and continuing high levels of tourism will put extra pressure on water and land resources, potentially affecting the Outstanding Universal Value of the site. With appropriate planning and management, impacts should be minimized. The revised Wet Tropics Plan was released in September 2020 (IUCN Consultation, 2020a).
Urban growth and increasing tourism pressures may be subdued in the short term as a result of changes to the economy from COVID-19, although the tourism industry may seek out opportunities for new experiences to assist recovery (IUCN Consultation, 2020d).
Urban growth and increasing tourism pressures may be subdued in the short term as a result of changes to the economy from COVID-19, although the tourism industry may seek out opportunities for new experiences to assist recovery (IUCN Consultation, 2020d).
Fire/ Fire Suppression
(Fires)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Outside site
All rainforest and non-rainforest ecosystems in the Wet Tropics evolved under the influence of fire and rely on particular fire regimes (including the absence of fire) for their persistence in the landscape. Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples used fire to manage landscapes in the Wet Tropics, including for example, creating a mosaic of patches representative of a range of heterogeneity across space and time (Tng et al., 2014). These practices have been disrupted since European settlement, with the decline of active Aboriginal burning and changes in land use. Understanding of the dynamics of fire in non-rainforest (sclerophyll) and rainforests ecosystems remains limited (Krishnan, 2019). More extreme and unplanned bushfires are predicted to occur in the future (WTMA, 2019). 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). This threat will need more collaborative work with adjacent landowners to develop an appropriate fire management regime for the changed circumstances. WTMA is working with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples to develop fire adaptation strategies (IUCN Consultation, 2020d).
Droughts
(Predicted longer, dryer dry seasons)
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).
There are a number of current and potential threats to the Outstanding Universal Value of the Wet Tropics. Some can be mitigated with effective planning and good management, such as the pressures associated with development, increased permanent population and visitor numbers. However, other threats to the biodiversity and integrity of the Wet Tropics rainforest, particularly the spread of invasive weeds, pest animals such as yellow crazy ants and plant diseases such as myrtle rust are much more difficult and costly to manage and more research and monitoring is required to better understand how to effectively mitigate these threats now and into the future. Despite this, the success of the yellow crazy ant eradication program demonstrates the success that can be achieved through coordinating the efforts of government community and researchers, this provides a model for other responses. The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage site 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 there is evidence suggesting rapid and catastrophic changes are already occurring. 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. There is already evidence of changes in the abundance and distribution of fauna. Interactions between organisms, such as predator-prey relationships and insect pollination, are likely to be disrupted, creating consequent changes in ecosystem composition, structure and function. Threats to keystone species continue, including spectacled flying-foxes, with potential fallout for the ongoing functioning of the ecosystem. Apart from climate change, threats from outside the property remain and are partly a function of growing urban communities. It is not clear that either systems management or financial resources are adequate to combat the actual and potential threats.
Management system
The Wet Tropics Management Plan (1998) has been subject to review since 2017 (IUCN Consultation, 2020a). The revised plan was released in September 2020.A 10-year Wet Tropics Strategic Plan 2020-2030 provides direction and priorities for management of the Area over the next 10 years. The Wet Tropics Strategic Plan: 2020-2030 outlines how the Wet Tropics Management Authority will address priorities such as climate change and other cross-tenure threats; collaborate with and support the aspirations of Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples; present the World Heritage Area and collaborate with the tourism and partners and minimize impacts through appropriate management regimes. The Wet Tropics Management Authority provides an annual assessment on the State of the Wet Tropics with its annual report. In 2019 the Wet Tropics Management Authority launched Accept Act Adapt: climate adaptation plan for the Wet Tropics 2020–2030, as an action plan for addressing the impacts of climate change. The Wet Tropics Management Authority works closely with state government agencies (particularly the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships and the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships), Terrain Natural Resource Management, community conservation groups, private landholders and Traditional Owners to promote ecological connectivity across the broader landscape. Relationships appear to be positive and well established. The Wet Tropics Conservation Strategy (WTMA 2004) remains a valuable and comprehensive document but is outdated in some areas where knowledge has brought new concerns to the fore in recent times (in climate change for example). A number of conservation and land management priorities are also reflected in the Terrain NRM Regional Plan – Wet Tropics Plan for people and country. Capacity for implementation of these various strategies is evident, though dependent on government, or alternative funding. WTMA, Terrain and the Cairns and Far North Environment Council have been working on strategies to increase funding into land management and conservation initiatives through the Green and Blue Economic Stimulus package. The management plan has limited capacity to manage biosecurity risks, however the Wet Tropics Strategic Plan: 2020-2030 outlines a number of focused actions to deal with biosecurity risks (IUCN Consultation, 2020d).
Effectiveness of management system
The legislative framework provides an effective framework for control of development that may impact on World Heritage values. Annual reports of WTMA and Terrain NRM indicate that progress is being made in implementing various strategic plans, but that progress is constrained by limited resources. The financial and personnel commitments deployed for environmental pests, weeds and diseases and the level of urgency in responding do not match the effectiveness in responding to threats to human health and agricultural biosecurity risks (WTMA, 2011). The Australian Government has increased its focus on environmental biosecurity threats through the appointment of the Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer. Funding until 2022 has been provided to address the serious concerns about yellow crazy ant infestations and significant progress has been made toward eradication (IUCN Consultation, 2020a), but there is much more work required. The projected impacts of climate change are a serious concern. The Climate Adaptation Plan for the Wet Tropics 2020–2030 lists high priorities, and recognizes that new avenues of funding are needed to support implementation. The projected impacts of Climate Change are dire, and will require extremely active management, collaboration, high responsiveness and flexibility. 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.
The Authority has also partnered with the Australian Tropical Herbarium, and sub-tropical and cool-climate botanic gardens in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, to collect and record plant species at risk from climate change. Recent funding from the Queensland Government enable the Authority to support Gimuy Waluburra Yidinji Traditional Custodians and James Cook University researchers to undertake terrestrial refugia health checks that meshes western science and traditional ecological knowledge (IUCN Consultation, 2020d).
The Authority has also partnered with the Australian Tropical Herbarium, and sub-tropical and cool-climate botanic gardens in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, to collect and record plant species at risk from climate change. Recent funding from the Queensland Government enable the Authority to support Gimuy Waluburra Yidinji Traditional Custodians and James Cook University researchers to undertake terrestrial refugia health checks that meshes western science and traditional ecological knowledge (IUCN Consultation, 2020d).
Boundaries
The boundaries of the Wet Tropics World Heritage site are clearly delineated and widely respected by adjacent landholders and communities. While there is no buffer zone, the Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 comes into play where a development proposal within or outside the World Heritage site may have a significant impact on the World Heritage site. However, under the Queensland Government’s Planning Regulation 2017, there are no triggers for consultation to occur for any development proposals which are outside and adjacent to the World Heritage site (IUCN Consultation, 2020a).
Integration into regional and national planning systems
The Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009–2031 has included broad scale mapping of biodiversity, strategic rehabilitation areas and corridors (Queensland Government, 2009). However, these areas need to be mapped at a finer scale when included in mapping local government planning schemes to represent effective “constraints” to development. The Wet Tropics Management Plan effectively manages development within the World Heritage site, and where there are any inconsistencies between a Town Planning Scheme and the Wet Tropics Management Plan the Management Plan endures. The revised Wet Tropics Management Plan includes a provision to regulate reconfiguration of lots within the area and has strengthened the alignment between town planning and the management plan (IUCN Consultation, 2020d).
Relationships with local people
The Wet Tropics Management Authority works with a range of government, scientific, tourism, Aboriginal and non-government organisations. The Board in 2017 re-established two advisory committees representing community views and scientific expertise (Community Consultative Committee and Scientific Advisory Committee), the membership of which had lapsed (for three years) through a temporary failure to maintain a WTMA Board able to make appointments.. The Board continues to be dominated by local community members, an important and effective way to stay connected, and two new directors were appointed in October 2020 (IUCN Consultation, 2020d). The consultation of the review of the Wet Tropics Management Plan was incredibly extensive and inclusive.
Legal framework
The Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 (amended 2012) provides a comprehensive legal framework and outlines the management responsibilities of the various state authorities. The Act also establishes the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) to ensure that Australia’s obligation under the World Heritage Convention is met in relation to the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage site. The Act sets down the functions of WTMA and provides the head of power for making statutory management plans for regulation of activities that may impact on the integrity of the site. The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Management Scheme 1990 is an intergovernmental agreement between the Australian and Queensland governments and provides the basis for both tiers of government working together. It was amended and adopted in 2011. Another important National legal framework for environmental protection, the EPBC Act, is currently under review and concerns have been expressed that a review could lead to reduced capacity to protect the World Heritage site (IUCN Consultation, 2020a). It is too early to be sure about the outcome.
Law enforcement
Over 85% of the World Heritage site is within the protected area estate and on-ground management is undertaken by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnership. Rangers have been provided with Authorised Officer training which means they are accredited as Queensland government officials under the Nature Conservation Act to perform specific enforcement functions. Wet Tropics Management Authority officers have also received appropriate training, and there are officers authorized under the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 and under the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014 (IUCN Consultation, 2020a).
Implementation of Committee decisions and recommendations
The World Heritage Committee inscribed the Wet Tropics of Queensland on the World Heritage List in 1988 and recommended an appropriate management regime be established (World Heritage Committee, 1988). Decision 16COM.WIII (World Heritage Committee, 1992) noted with satisfaction that much progress had been made. In 1998 the Bureau at its 22nd session learnt that action had been taken regarding vegetation clearance within the World Heritage site, and were later advised that the statutory Management Plan, which provides the Wet Tropics Management Authority with the full suite of powers to act in the interests of World Heritage values was effective from 1 Sept 1998 (World Heritage Committee, 1998). There are no recent World Heritage Committee Decisions regarding this site.
Sustainable use
The remarkable aesthetic and recreational services of the region support a thriving tourism industry, estimated (in 2008 figures) to contribute more than $2.6 billion in annual direct and indirect output and household income, as well as 13 351 direct and indirect jobs; demonstrating the very significant value of the Wet Tropics to the regional, State and national economy (Gillespie Economics and BDA Group, 2008). The Wet Tropics Management Plan controls activities that may impact on World Heritage values within the site. The Nature-based Tourism Strategy 2000 (WTMA, 2000) and Walking Track strategy provide a framework for recreational use of the World Heritage site but it is now 20 years since these were developed and many elements of tourism in the Wet Tropics have changed. Through the review of the Wet Tropics Management Plan, the issues surrounding sustainability of tourism practices were addressed, and the Plan has provided increased clarity around what can and cannot happen, while reinforcing the need to protect the site's world heritage values and integrity. Most exploitive uses of natural resources within the site require assessment and a permit by Wet Tropics Management Authority under the Management Plan and, if the uses are likely to have a significant impact on the World Heritage site, additional approval under the EPBC Act. Two water supply dams exist within the site at Copperlode Falls and Paluma dam. Eight Local Authorities have 22 intakes with associated infrastructure. Any new water supply within the World Heritage site would require assessment and a permit under the Management Plan. Even proposals by Governments for actions within the site still require Board approval. The Management Plan has been recently updated and WTMA will now renew and develop Statutory Guidelines that will address the issue of sustainable use (IUCN Consultation, 2020d).
Sustainable finance
Funding to WTMA is provided through an agreement of the Queensland and Australian governments (Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993). This enables core functions to be undertaken. Separate funding is provided to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service & Partnerships (QPWS&P) for management of national parks within the World Heritage site. Base funding from the Commonwealth and Queensland governments appears to be stable, although the amount has not increased for more than a decade, resulting in a real decline in resourcing. Base funding supplemented by access to a range of government grants, usually in partnership with community organisations, for example the yellow crazy ant eradication program and Reef Assist Funding through the Department of Environment and Science. Whilst funding appears adequate to maintain basic management functions, additional funding is required for an effective response to the growing threats posed by unmanaged fire, invasive weeds, pests and diseases, all of which are likely to be exacerbated by predicted climate change (IUCN Consultation, 2020d). Ideally, such funding should be on-going rather than being subject to regular funding bids to ensure sufficiently flexible and rapid responses and to retain trained staff. There is a critical need to ensure adequate science capability.
Staff capacity, training, and development
WTMA has a small staff focused on policy, planning, community engagement, yellow crazy ant eradication and regulation. Land management activities are undertaken primarily by QPWS&P and other landholders within the site. WTMA allocates approximately 2% of salaries component each year to staff training and development, plus it also receives support from the Department of Environment and Science to access additional training programs where relevant to WTMA staff. Training needs are identified according to capacity-building needs identified in the 10-year strategic plan. With increasing complexity in management due in part to climate change effects, WTMA needs to ensure it maintains access to strong scientific capabilities. WTMA obtains good value from its Scientific Advisory Committee (a group of individuals with various backgrounds who volunteer their time) and external contractors, when required, to bring independent science into management activities and decisions (IUCN Consultation, 2020d).
Education and interpretation programs
Wet Tropics Management Authority has always been engaged in diverse education activities ranging from hosting training programs from other World Heritage sites to providing stories, feature articles and activities for school students across the region. One of the Strategic activities being undertaken by the WTMA is to produce a suite of communication products and services that educate the public and enable understanding and appreciation as well as access and enjoyment of the World Heritage site (WTMA, 2012). In 2018, the Authority released a video – Nature’s greatest survival story aimed at educating the broader community and visitors on the biodiversity values of the World Heritage site. 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. This successful campaign has significantly increased engagement particularly within the younger demographics (IUCN Consultation, 2020d).
Tourism and visitation management
The Wet Tropics World Heritage site is a premium tourism destination. The Nature-based tourism strategy 2000 provides the framework for managing tourism, and the tourism industry is recognized as a key partner in assisting in the interpretation and presentation of the World Heritage site (WTMA, 2019). A Wet Tropics Sustainable Tourism Destination Plan is currently being developed using a bottom-up approach and will aim to promote the unique cultural and natural values of the Wet Tropics region while taking advantage of an increasing appetite for sustainable tourism. A specific Wet Tropics tour guide training program has been developed in partnership with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council. Close collaboration with operators, tourism organisations, and local and state agencies, forms part of the current strategic approach by WTMA to further develop tourism within the site. The importance of tourism in the post-COVID-19 era is likely to be high and WTMA engagement in its development will be important to ensure only sustainable forms of new developments are approved.
Monitoring
Under the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993, the Wet Tropics Management Authority must produce a report on the State of the Area each year but the nature of these does not convey a strong ongoing monitoring capacity (the 2017/18 report was a focus on the 30 year anniversary, which demonstrated the positive changes as a result of the 1988 listing; the 2018/19 report although brief was more focussed on the condition of the area and drew on various reports to inform the conclusion that "data indicate that the status and conservation outlook has not improved since the 2017 IUCN Outlook Report. There are a number of significant threats that the Area continues to face"). Given the loss of some tropical rainforest focussed research institutions and the decline in others, it is clear that today there is a much reduced capacity to have ongoing consistent monitoring. The Australian Government is currently delivering the National Environment Science program. This program funds environment and climate research. The WTMA were involved in negotiations with a number of institutions and consortiums to ensure that the world heritage area was a focus of this long term program. Staff capacity within WTMA limits how much can be undertaken in-house, however monitoring programs are happening in partnership with the Australian Tropical Herbarium, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services and Partnerships, and an new monitoring program with Gimuy Waluburra Yidinji Traditional Custodians and James Cook University. This is consistent with the intentions indicated in the Research Strategy that recognizes the need to improve understanding of the condition, trend and interdependencies of the natural and cultural environments (WTMA, 2010). Total amount of investment in monitoring is unclear, and long term monitoring support has declined (WTMA, 2016). Research funding and investment into fostering ongoing skills in tropical biology has declined significantly in recent years which reduces the quantum of research projects available that could support monitoring. Present monitoring is opportunistic at best despite support from some external researchers in particular areas. 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.
Research
A research strategy was completed in 2010. The research strategy communicates to research institutions on information needs and priorities for research (WTMA, 2010). There have been significant research partnerships in the past that have benefited the World Heritage site. Reduced focus on tropical rainforest research in local facilities means capacity has declined in recent times and the absence of a guaranteed funding program means research is opportunistic at best. As the State of Wet Tropics Report 2018/19 (WTMA, 2019) points out, there has been significant decline in research and monitoring of the World Heritage site. Despite previous historical investment in research in the World Heritage site, research funding has significantly declined over recent years. The Australian Government is currently delivering the National Environment Science Program. This program funds environment and climate research, $145 million from 2015-16 to 2020-21 (IUCN Consultation, 2020d).
The statutory Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998 has been reviewed and was released in September 2020. The Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) has a range of policies and strategies in place that provide a sound management framework for managing tourism, community services infrastructure, and conservation activities. WTMA has developed a comprehensive range of partnerships in the region to assist with implementing these strategies, and has constructive relationships with the eleven local governments and utility infrastructure service providers operating in the region. Codes of practice guide maintenance works in and around the area to minimize adverse impacts. However, there are a range of threats, for example invasive weeds, pests and pathogens, predicted climate change, that present increasing challenges to land managers, including the Wet Tropics Management Authority.
Whilst a comprehensive range of plans are in place, the resources available to allow effective implementation are limited, particularly with regard to managing all invasive pests, weeds and pathogens. A new multi-faceted program to eradicate yellow crazy ants from areas within and adjacent to the World Heritage site has been successful in significantly reducing numbers of this invasive pest. The eradication program is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments for another three years to 2022. While some success with regard to the yellow crazy ants infestation is good news, much more remains to be done.
Whilst a comprehensive range of plans are in place, the resources available to allow effective implementation are limited, particularly with regard to managing all invasive pests, weeds and pathogens. A new multi-faceted program to eradicate yellow crazy ants from areas within and adjacent to the World Heritage site has been successful in significantly reducing numbers of this invasive pest. The eradication program is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments for another three years to 2022. While some success with regard to the yellow crazy ants infestation is good news, much more remains to be done.
Assessment of the effectiveness of protection and management in addressing threats outside the site
Mostly Effective
Wet Tropics Management Authority has built constructive relationships with the eleven local governments which include parts of the World Heritage site, and works in partnership with the regional community to build a sense of ownership and sharing the benefits and burdens of sound management. There is a close collaboration with Terrain NRM, the regional natural resources management body that promotes and funds good land management practices in the region, often on land close to the World Heritage site. A broad range of habitat corridor priorities identified in the Wet Tropics Conservation Strategy are incorporated into the Terrain Regional NRM Plan. 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. Given the recent discovery of species that contribute to the Outstanding Universal Value of the site (e.g. the armoured mist frog) in boundary areas, it will be critical to ensure that threats to these newly discovered populations are also addressed and access to lands that hold potential for further rediscovery targeted. The most significant external threat to Outstanding Universal Value of the site from climate change is beyond the capacity of WTMA to manage by itself.
Best practice examples
Maclean, A. (2013) Wet Tropics of Queensland. Sharing best practices. In: World Heritage and Best Practices. World Heritage 67: 24-30
The Wet Tropics of Queensland Regional Agreement https://www.wettropics.gov.au/regional-agreement
Accept Act Adapt: Wet Tropics Climate Adaptation Plan 2020—2030 https://www.wettropics.gov.au/climate-adaptation-plan-for-the-wet-tropics-20202030
Wet Tropics Strategic Plan https://www.wettropics.gov.au/StrategicPlan
Researcher protocols for collecting (ARE) https://www.wettropics.gov.au/generations-of-traditional-scientific-knowledge-to-guide-new-research-protocols-in-the-wet-tropics
The Wet Tropics of Queensland Regional Agreement https://www.wettropics.gov.au/regional-agreement
Accept Act Adapt: Wet Tropics Climate Adaptation Plan 2020—2030 https://www.wettropics.gov.au/climate-adaptation-plan-for-the-wet-tropics-20202030
Wet Tropics Strategic Plan https://www.wettropics.gov.au/StrategicPlan
Researcher protocols for collecting (ARE) https://www.wettropics.gov.au/generations-of-traditional-scientific-knowledge-to-guide-new-research-protocols-in-the-wet-tropics
Assessment of the current state and trend of World Heritage values
High Concern
Trend
Deteriorating
Invasive plant and animal pest species along with a number of pathogens are impacting on World Heritage values. The trends for some threatened species seem to be deteriorating, despite recovery and action plans. The greatest concern is for montane species restricted to the upland forests (birds, mammals, plants) within the site. A number of Lepidoptera and other invertebrates are altitudinal specialists and it would be reasonable to assume high risk to these taxa also. Despite significant management responsiveness, given the sheer number and diversity of newly emerging threats (in particular biosecurity, as well as the postulated effects of climate change per se, and the interactions of climate change with other threatening processes), it is reasonable to assess the trend as declining.
Assessment of the current state and trend of other important biodiversity values
Low Concern
Trend
Stable
Irreplaceability remains extremely high but is threatened as part of the overall threats to Outstanding Universal Value.
Additional information
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. It also provides soil stabilization and provides a clean water supply to the local region.
Importance for research,
Contribution to education
The Wet Tropics is an area of high biodiversity which makes the ecosystems of this site important for scientific research and in turn education about the values and management of the area and other rainforests.
Outdoor recreation and tourism
The Wet Tropics site provides the local population with the public goods of clean air and water, giving them health and wellbeing benefits. The area is widely accessed for outdoor recreation, and is visited extensively by domestic and international tourists. The Wet Tropics is a large area that provides great, aesthetically beautiful landscapes as well as opportunities to view wildlife and ancient plant species.
History and tradition,
Sacred natural sites or landscapes
The Wet Tropics World Heritage site is culturally rich, comprising the traditional lands of 20 Rainforest Aboriginal groups. The Wet Tropics of Queensland is an area of immense cultural importance for rainforest Aboriginal people. It is included on the National Heritage List for Indigenous Cultural values. The site also holds wilderness values that are inherently important for many people.
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.
| № | Organization | Brief description of Active Projects | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wet Tropics Management Authority | The Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program endeavours to manage and eradicate yellow crazy ant infestations in and adjacent to the Wet Tropics World Heritage site to maintain the site’s Outstanding Universal Value. This programme is co-funded by the Australian and Queensland Government. |
https://www.wettropics.gov.au/our-battle-plan
https://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/Enews10.pdf
|
| 2 | Wet Tropics Management Authority in partnerships with Abriculture, Mamu Aboriginal Corporation and North Queensland Land Management Services | Projects funded under the Queensland Government’s Reef Assist program include: Terrestrial refugia health surveillance of Dinden National Park by Gimuy Rangers led by the Traditional Owners Creating a Sustainable Environmental Economy Environmental activities supporting indigenous employment and training Boots on the ground: employing First Nations to undertake on-ground threatened species and climate resilience work in the Wet Tropics | |
| 3 | Australian Tropical Herbarium | Mountain plant conservation The Australian Tropical Herbarium are leading a plant rescue project to collect and record mountain top plant species at risk from climate change By combining data from existing collections with extensive new field survey data for species distribution modelling analyses and climate tolerance experiments, researchers are predicting the impact of climate change on the rare and endemic plant species of Australia’s tropical mountain tops, and taking precautionary action to secure them in ex-situ living collections in partnership with the National Botanic Gardens, Western Yalanji Traditional Owners, the Wet Tropics Management Authority, the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Cairns Botanic Gardens. | |
| 4 | Wet Tropics Management Authority | This project will deliver a Wet Tropics Tourism Destination Development Plan that will identify and promote appropriate placement of tourism infrastructure in and adjacent to the World Heritage site. It will also give confidence to investment in tourism enterprises, enhance opportunities for Indigenous cultural tourism enterprises, grow appropriate eco-tourism, and demonstrate the site’s values can be enhanced by tourism development. |
https://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/grants-and-funding/australian-heritage-grants/2018-19
|
| 5 | Dawal Wuru Aboriginal Corporation | Yirrganydji cultural landscape recognition, management and engagement. The project will develop a living cultural landscape atlas, cultural landscape heritage management plan and communication products including using 3D animation technology to bring Yirrganydji Indigenous stories and languages to life. |
https://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/grants-and-funding/australian-heritage-grants/2018-19
|
| 6 | Girringun Aboriginal Corporation | Indigenous cultural values management plan, Wet Tropics of Queensland. This project will develop a new management plan for the 2012 National Heritage Listed Indigenous cultural values of the Wet Tropics of Queensland. Innovative strategies will be developed to protect and promote Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples' unique adaptations for rainforest occupation and technical achievements in processing toxic tree nuts, using fire and associated living traditional law. Project activities will deliver Indigenous spatial identities mapping pilots, support existing and emerging cultural values management systems, develop cultural values capacity, update Intellectual Cultural Property Kit and progress a Wet Tropics cultural landscape nomination on the Queensland Heritage Register. |
https://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/grants-and-funding/australian-heritage-grants/2019-20
|
| 7 | Mamu Aboriginal Corporation | Caring for Mamu Country and Culture. This community-driven project will enable Mamu to develop protocols, undertake recordings of significant sites and catalogue important cultural information held in private collections. Outcomes will include community control of Intellectual Property, preservation assessments of important cultural sites including rare and threatened rainforest dendroglyhs. Training will be provided by an experienced archivist using qualitative and systematic implementation of standards and metadata that is suitable for migration into any preferred Collection Management Systems (CMS) databases used by state and national institutions. This project will significantly strengthen the capacity of Mamu RNTBC to protect their cultural assets. |
https://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/grants-and-funding/australian-heritage-grants/2019-20
|
| 8 | Cairns Aquarium & Reef Research Centre Pty Ltd | Cairns Aquarium WTHA Natural Values Interactive Display. This interactive and interpretive display will provide an immersive experience to its 450,000 visitors each year on the key natural values of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. It will use varying forms from 2D, 3D, digital and interactive display formats that will tell the story of how the Wet Tropics formed, the processes and events that shaped it, the biodiversity and endemism found in it, the valuable research that can be learned from the area and the importance of the aesthetic characteristics of the area. |
https://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/grants-and-funding/australian-heritage-grants/2019-20
|
| 9 | NQ NRM Alliance Ltd | Biodiversity Bright Spots: Tackling Woodland Threats in the Wet Tropics to protect Petaurus gracilis (Mahogany Glider). This project aims to increase the extent, condition and connectivity of habitat for Mahogany Gliders, Broadleaf Tea Tree Ecological Community (EC) and Ant Plants. Habitat loss, fragmentation, degradation and alteration are some of the largest threats to Mahogany Gliders' habitat including areas of Broadleaf Tea Tree EC and Ant Plant populations. This project will aim to address these threats through working with the Mahogany Glider Recovery Team, Traditional Owners, landholders and the community to increase the extent and connectivity of Mahogany Glider habitat through revegetation of priority corridors and improvement to the condition of existing habitat through the management of weeds and implementation of appropriate fire regimes. In addition, this project will implement a Mahogany Glider population monitoring program which will track the species' trajectory and inform future on ground actions to ensure priority threats are strategically and effectively addressed. Proximity to the Wet Tropics World Heritage site is taken into account when making decisions on sites for this project. Investing in areas adjacent to the World Heritage site enables expansion of Mahogany Glider habitat in in strategic locations. Bolstering Mahogany Glider habitat within and adjacent to the World Heritage site is critical to the protection of this endemic species, with endemic marsupial species listed in the Wet Tropics World Heritage site statement of Outstanding Universal Value. |
http://www.nrm.gov.au/system/files/resources/683a3fe8-0142-4eda-8a6b-5594de0403af/files/rlp-project-listing-2020.pdf
|
| 10 | NQ NRM Alliance Ltd | Biodiversity Bright Spots: Building Rainforest Resilience in the Wet Tropics to protect Casuarius casuarius johnsonii (Southern Cassowary, Australian Cassowary, Double-wattled Cassowary). This project will improve the trajectory and/or condition of Southern Cassowary, Mabi Forest and Littoral Rainforest. Habitat loss and fragmentation, degradation by invasive weeds and cassowary vehicle strike are key threats to Cassowary, Mabi Forest and Littoral Rainforest. This project will work with the Cassowary, Mabi and Littoral rainforest recovery teams/groups, Traditional Owners, landholders and the community to design, implement and monitor activities that increase the extent, connectivity and condition of rainforest habitat in priority locations, focusing on where the greatest outcome can be achieved for multiple priority species and ecological communities and reduce invasive species threats adjacent to the Wet Tropics World Heritage site. Outcomes will be achieved through revegetation, weed management, habitat protection and cassowary vehicle strike solutions in agreed priority locations in the landscape. |
http://www.nrm.gov.au/system/files/resources/683a3fe8-0142-4eda-8a6b-5594de0403af/files/rlp-project-listing-2020.pdf
|
| 11 | NQ NRM Alliance Ltd | Supporting Threatened Species – Northern Bettong recovery. This project has been designed to address several of the threats which effect Northern Bettongs in areas beyond protected estate. These threats impact upon the habitat condition and include inappropriate fire and grazing management. As Northern Bettong recovery actions completed to date, have primarily been focused in areas within protected estate and conservation reserves, there has been limited landholder engagement. Consequently, there are very few established relationships with landholders and the degree to which others may be willing to participate is largely unknown. This project will focus on addressing this challenge by engaging with landholders within Northern Bettong habitat. On ground delivery aspects of this project will be prioritised based on the opportunities which arise from the Traditional Owner and landholder engagement processes and by those which will deliver the greatest benefit to the Northern Bettong as determined by the Northern Bettong Recovery Team. This project will primarily deliver habitat management outcomes on Freehold tenure. Co-investment and/or in-kind contribution will be required from landholders but will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Habitat management outcomes will be delivered in collaboration with Traditional Owners and in a manner, which increases their capacity to implement appropriate fire regimes. |
http://www.nrm.gov.au/system/files/resources/683a3fe8-0142-4eda-8a6b-5594de0403af/files/rlp-project-listing-2020.pdf
|
References
| № | References |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Bertzky, B., Shi, Y., Hughes, A., Engels, B., Ali, M.K. and Badman, T. (2013). Terrestrial Biodiversity and the World Heritage List: Identifying broad gaps and potential candidate sites for inclusion in the natural World Heritage network. [online] Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN and UNEP-WCMC. pp xiv – 70. Available at: <https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/docume…;
|
| 2 |
Costion, C., Bransgrove, K., Simpson, L., Schulte, K., Abell-Davis, S., Metcalfe, D., Rossetto, M., Lowe, A. J., Williams, S. and Crayn, D. M. (2014). What is at risk? Identifying rainforest refugia and hotspots of plant genetic diversity in the Wet Tropics bioregion. Report to the National Environmental Research Program. Cairns, Australia: Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Limited. 58pp.
|
| 3 |
Gibbons, D., Morrissey, C., and Mineau, P. (2015). A review of the direct and indirect effects of neonicotinoids and fipronil on vertebrate wildlife. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 22, pp. 103-118.
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| 4 |
Gillespie Economics and BDA Group (2008). Economic Activity of Australia’s World Heritage Areas. Report to the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. [online] Denistone, Australia: Gillespie Economics and BDA Group. pp. 1-201. Available at: <https://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/docs/gilespi…;
|
| 5 |
IUCN Consultation (2014). IUCN World Heritage Confidential Consultation: Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia.
|
| 6 |
IUCN Consultation (2020a). IUCN World Heritage Confidential Consultation form: Respondent 1. Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia.
|
| 7 |
IUCN Consultation (2020b). IUCN World Heritage Confidential Consultation form: Respondent 2. Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia.
|
| 8 |
IUCN Consultation (2020c). IUCN World Heritage Confidential Consultation form: Respondent 3. Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia.
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| 9 |
IUCN Consultation (2020d). IUCN World Heritage Confidential Consultation form: Respondent 4. Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia.
|
| 10 |
Krishnan, V., Robinson, N., Firn, J., Applegate, G., Herbohn, J., and Schmidt, S. (2019). Without management interventions, endemic wet‐sclerophyll forest is transitioning to rainforest in World Heritage listed K’gari (Fraser Island), Australia. [online]. Ecology and Evolution, 9, 3, pp. 1378-1393. Available at: <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ece3.4853&…;
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| 12 |
Maclean, A. (2013). Wet Tropics of Queensland. Sharing best practices. World Heritage and Best Practices. In: World Heritage 67, pp. 24-30.
|
| 13 |
Overmyer, J.P., Rouse D.R., Avants, J.K., Garrison, A.W., Delorenzo, M.E., Chung K.W., Key, P.B., Wilson, W.A., and Black, M.C. (2007). Toxicity of fipronil and its enantiomers to marine and freshwater non-targets. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, 42, 471-480.
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| 14 |
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| 18 |
Spring, D and Kompas, T. (2018). Independent Review of the Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program: Executive Summary, main findings and recommendations. University of Melbourne. [online] Available at: <https://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/docs/YCA%20f…; [Accessed 12 August 2010].
|
| 19 |
State Party of Australia (2003). Periodic Report Second Cycle Section II: Wet Tropics of Queensland. [online] Paris, France: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, pp.1-96. Available at: <http://whc.unesco.org/document/162442>;
|
| 20 |
Tng, D.Y.P, Goosem, S., Jordan, G.J., and Bowman, D.M.J.S. (2014). Letting giants be – rethinking active fire management of old‐growth eucalypt forest in the Australian tropics. [online] Journal of Applied Ecology, 51, 3, pp. 555-559. Available at: <https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.111…;
|
| 21 |
Tourism Research Australia (n.d.). <https://www.tra.gov.au/>;
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| 22 |
WTMA (2000). Wet Tropics Nature Based Tourism Strategy. A Strategy for the Development and Management of Nature Based Tourism [online] Cairns, Australia: Wet Tropics Management Authority. Available at: <https://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/docs/natureb…;
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| 23 |
WTMA (2004). Wet Tropics Conservation Strategy (2004). The conservation, rehabilitation and transmission to future generations of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. [online] Cairns, Australia: Wet Tropics Management Authority. Available at: <https://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/docs/wtmaCon…;
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| 24 |
WTMA (2008). Climate change: impacts and responses. Annual Report and State of the Wet Tropics Report 2007–2008. [online] Cairns, Australia: Wet Tropics Management Authority. Available at: <https://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/docs/Climate…;
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| 25 |
WTMA (2009). Annual Report and State of the Wet Tropics Report 2008–2009. [online] Cairns, Australia: Wet Tropics Management Authority. Available at: <https://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/docs/2009_so…;
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WTMA (2010). Research Strategy 2010-2014. Improving management by building and communicating knowledge through collaboration communicating knowledge through collaboration. [online] Cairns, Australia: Wet Tropics Management Authority. Available at: <http://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/docs/WTMARese…;
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| 27 |
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| 28 |
WTMA (2011). Biosecurity theme report. Annual Report and State of the Wet Tropics Report 2010–2011. [online] Cairns, Australia: Wet Tropics Management Authority. Available at: <https://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/docs/LOW%20R…;
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| 29 |
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| 30 |
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