Strengthening Conservation Efforts for the Highland Rainforest of the Wet Tropics

Sunset on the summit of Mt Bartle Frere (Ngadjon Jii Country). Photographer: Terry Carmichael

The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area is facing increasing threats from climate change and invasive species. In response, the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA), in collaboration with its Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and leading experts, has conducted a series of workshops to assess key ecological values, threats, and priority management strategies.

A primary outcome of this work is the identification of Highland Rainforest (800m+) as the most threatened ecological community within the Wet Tropics region. This ecosystem harbours an incredibly high number of endemic, naturally rare, ancient, and threatened species of flora and fauna compared to other ecosystems in the region.

Long-term scientific monitoring indicates a concerning decline in many vertebrate populations, including several species of possums and birds. Experts have identified climate change and invasive species as the primary drivers of this decline.

South Endeavor Trust are a Restoration Alliance partner who own and are actively restoring a number of properties on the Atherton Tablelands above 800m. To support greater recognition of the threats to these critical areas, South Endeavor Trust have provided financial support for the development of a nomination to list Highland Rainforest (800m+) of the Wet Tropics as a Threatened Ecological Community under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The nomination process is led by Professor Stephen Williams (Chair of the SAC) and was submitted to the Commonwealth on 31 March. This will be considered by the threatened species advisory committee over coming months.

The nomination revealed that while most of the Highland Rainforest ecosystem falls within protected areas, significant portions—particularly in the southern Atherton and Evelyn Tablelands—lie outside these boundaries. The Restoration Alliance will continue to support the many organisations and individuals who have initiated efforts to enhance connectivity and strengthen ecological buffers in these areas. It is hoped that listing of Highland Rainforest will draw greater attention to the values and threats of these areas and potentially further resources to undertake critical management actions.