Land clearance and conservation of inland dry rainforest in north Queensland, Australia

Abstract

About 28·2% of the area of inland dry rainforest patches has been cleared between latitudes 17°S and 23°26·5′S in north Queensland. Most of the clearance has occurred in the southern half of this study area. A greater proportion of large patches have been cleared than small patches. Dry rainforest on unconsolidated sediments and shale has been vastly reduced in area relative to dry rainforest on other substrates. National Parks secure some important remnants, including dry rainforest on alluvium in the south. However, dry rainforest is not adequately reserved across its geomorphic range of habitats and two out of eight broad floristic groups and seven out of 16 subgroups are not represented in reserves in the study area. Lantana Lantana camara L. and rubber vine Cryptostegia grandiflora Roxb. ex R. Br. are the most serious exotic species affecting dry rainforest in the study area. Lantana, at least, can increase the flammability of fire-sensitive dry rainforest vegetation. Provided that further land clearance is restricted, it is suggested that dry rainforest conservation is compatible with cattle grazing given appropriate active management. However, the preservation of dry rainforest will require management of the broader landscape, and small reserves that do not contain extensive areas of surrounding habitat may not be secure in the long term.