Page 87 - Port Douglas Magazine 39

“OVER DEEP TIME,
THE RAINFOREST’S
NATURAL
EVOLUTION HAS
CAUSED A NATURAL
REDUCTION IN
WILDLIFE DIVERSITY
DUE TO THEIR
SHRINKING SIZE”

White Lemuroid Possum PHOTO CREDIT Wet Tropics Images

HISTORY OF THE RAINFOREST In the context of our rainforest, this extinction event is already underway.
To fully understand this story, let’s transport ourselves 50 million years into Terry reveals a silent crisis in the Wet Tropics as numerous animal species
the past, where Australia was a vastly different place. quietly vanish due to climate change, often escaping public attention.
Terry explains that in contrast to today’s small rainforest areas, almost “The rainforest’s uniqueness lies in creatures exclusive to specific locations
the entire continent was once blanketed by lush rainforests. “Back then, within the Wet Tropics, like frogs, possums, palms, and crayfish found only
Australia was connected to South America and Antarctica.” on certain mountain peaks,” Terry explains. “For instance, on Thornton’s
He continues, “As Australia gradually disconnected from other land masses Peak in the Daintree, there are lizards and frogs that you won’t find anywhere
else.
and drifted north, it remained isolated for about 35 million years. During
this extended period, unique species of plants and animals evolved within “We’ve got islands in the sky with climate envelopes that are particular for
Australia. This isolation played a pivotal role in reshaping the continent into those species and they can’t adapt in time to the climate change that we’re
one of the driest inhabited lands, leading to the gradual decline of rainforests experiencing now.
across Australia.” “This exclusivity is pivotal to our World Heritage status and it also poses
“The Wet Tropics have been designated as a World Heritage site due to its challenges, as these naturally rare animals, already threatened by habitat loss
status as a remaining piece of what was once a continent-spanning feature and human activities, are further endangered by extreme weather events.”
in Australia. Apart from the Wet Tropics here in Far North Queensland, As the secretary for the Scientific Advisory Committee within the Wet
smaller areas with similar features exist in central and southeast Queensland, Tropics Management Authority, Terry closely collaborates with Professor
northern New South Wales as well as in the southwestern part of Tasmania. Stephen Williams, who has dedicated more than 30 years to studying Wet
“In essence, over deep time, climate shifts are natural. The rainforest we have Tropics biodiversity.
now is just a snapshot of what it once was.” Over this time, Professor Williams witnessed a significant decline in animal
Terry notes we’ve preserved plant and animal life from that expansive populations at different altitudes in the region, suggesting a connection to
rainforest that once covered the continent. However, we have also witnessed extreme weather events rather than a gradual temperature increase.
a significant loss.
“Over time, the rainforest’s natural evolution has caused a natural reduction RARE AND FASCINATING CREATURES
in wildlife diversity due to their shrinking size, making them unable to Let’s delve into some of the remarkable creatures facing threats by climate
sustain the extensive variety of fauna they once did across the continent.” change, about which some you might never have even heard.
“While what remains within our grasp is truly precious, it no longer “A prime example is the beautiful White Lemuroid Ringtail Possum,
encompasses all the unique elements it once held.” exclusive to the Wet Tropics and the poster child for conservationists during
the 80’s to get the Wet Tropics nominated for World Heritage listing,” Terry
DISAPPEARING SPECIES explains.
Throughout Earth’s known history, five mass extinction events have “These tiny, furry mammals are the ‘polar bears’ of the Wet Tropics; a species
occurred, some wiping out as much as 90 percent of life on the planet due running out of cool places to live.
to massive climate changes often triggered by volcanic activity. These events “They inhabit the forest slopes of Mount Lewis National Park, near Julatten,
happened remarkably fast. and other Wet Tropic mountains at high altitudes. They struggle to endure
Today, the potential for a sixth significant extinction looms, but this time it’s temperatures over 30°C for extended periods, as they’re adapted for cool,
caused by human activities, particularly climate change. stable climates and can’t cool off in rising heat. Unfortunately, they’ve
reached the limit of habitable mountain tops due to the warming climate.”