Daintree Rainforest

Question 1

Where is it?

Answer 1

NE Coast of Queensland

Question 2

Why is it special?

Answer 2

World Heritage Site
1/2 of Australia’s bird species
65% of butterfly and bat species

Question 3

What are the threats?

Answer 3

Tourism
Tarmacking roads leaving forest areas for sale
Occupied plots turned into cattle ranches
Urban development of Port Douglas changing local culture and character
CC rising temps
Logging and timber industry

Question 4

What are the impacts?

Answer 4

Congestion and overcrowding
Native tribes move away as homes destroyed
Westernised culture
Jobs, income, infrastructure improved
food webs
soil erosion
alien species

Question 5

Who is involved and what are they doing?

Answer 5

Wet tropics management authority (research and monitor tropics, assess agreements with tribes and natives)
Cairns Regional Council (reduce pop, increase ferry cost, reject bridge development)
Australian Rainforest Foundation (cassowary wildlife corridor)
Wildlife Preservation Society (ban development)
Australian Tropic Rainforest Foundation (education and visitor centres)
Rainforest Cooperation Research Council (identify hotspots for conservation)