Rainforest Natural
History Excursions
The World Heritage rainforests of the wet tropics region
are recognized as one of the most ecologically rich and evolutionarily significant sites in the world. Encompassing
a mere 0.3 percent of the continent's area, these restricted forests support the highest
amount of biological diversity and endemism found within Australia, including:
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30% of the frog and 23% of the reptile species
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36% of the mammal and 60% of the bat species
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62% of the butterfly and 18% of the bird species
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65% of the fern and 30% of the orchid species
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37% of the conifer species
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37% of the freshwater fish species
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54 species of vertebrate animals unique to the region
The animals and plants of Queensland's tropical rainforests are associated with eight
major stages in the earth's evolutionary history. Relic species such as the musky rat-kangaroo provide evidence of the origins of Australia's marsupials, while high
concentrations of primitive flowering plants hold the secrets to the emergence of all
terrestrial plants. Of the 19 primitive families of angiosperms (flowering plants), 13
are found within the tropical rainforests of the wet tropics region. One of these, a
vine called Austrobaileya scandens, is of particular scientific interest because its pollen
resembles that of the oldest known fossil pollen.
 These tropical rainforests now cover about 7,500 square kilometres, half of their
original area, representing a relic of an ancient forest that once covered most of the
Australian continent. Thirteen distinct rainforest types are currently recognized,
occurring in three main altitudinal zones: lowlands, uplands and highlands. Within
these rainforests exist an amazing array of plant life. In some of the cooler forests,
mosses, lichens, epiphytic ferns and orchids adorn the trunks and branches while vines and lianas
snake skywards toward the canopy. Trees with impressive buttress root formations,
often spanning many metres across, are characteristic of several other rainforest types.
Another unusual feature seen in a number of tree families is the habit of producing
flowers and fruits directly from the trunk (cauliflory) and branches (ramiflory). In
addition, palms, ancient cycads, gingers and cordylines are found within the understory of certain
rainforests.
 The lowland rainforests are the most botanically diverse, while the cooler and often
misty upland and highland forests contain the greatest concentrations of arboreal
mammals. Species such as Bennett's and Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo, lemuroid, Herbert River,
Daintree and green ringtail and long-tailed pygmy possums are endemic
to the region. Representing another ancient group, the southern cassowary, an endangered species, is now restricted to the larger remnants of wet tropical rainforest.
Other species that inhabit these rainforests include: Boyd's forest dragon,
northern leaf-tailed and chameleon geckos, amethystine python, prickly forest
skink, northern barred, green-eyed and orange-thighed tree frogs. Hercules
moths,
giant stick insects and mantids and a multitude of other invertebrates creatures
are also common.
Wild Watch excursions provide an unparalleled opportunity to explore and appreciate
the beauty and complexity of these rainforests.
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