Before we decide on the purchase of a Daintree Rainforest property for conservation we have our ecologist and botanist conduct a survey. A written report then guides our decisions on which property to acquire.
Lot 34 Cape Tribulation Road
A vegetation survey was undertaken of Lot 34 Cape Tribulation Road at Diwan in February 2022. Ecologist and botanist Kristopher Kupsch identified 195 species of native plants.
Lot 34 has two contrasting vegetation types covering an area of 3 hectares.
Regional Ecosystem 7.3.10a: Mesophyll vine forest. Moderately to poorly-drained alluvial plains, of moderate fertility. Lowlands of the very wet and wet zone are listed as of concern under the Vegetation Management Act 1999.
Regional Ecosystem 7.3.17: Complex mesophyll vine forest on well-drained alluvium of high fertility is listed as endangered under the Vegetation Management Act 1999.
These two ecosystems differ in the degree to which the soil fertility and drainage vary. The site has a broader coverage of regrowth Regional Ecosystem 7.3.10a in the lower eastern portions. The north-western portion of the Lot has regrowth RE 7.3.17 upon the ground that is freely drained and evidently more fertile.
The survey identified 195 species of native plants
The endangered southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) was observed on Lot 34. Many species of plant identified on Lot 34 produce food for the southern cassowary and the currently mostly vegetated nature of the property facilitates the movement of these birds across the landscape.
An orange-footed scrub fowl (Megapodius reinwardt) was observed near a large incubation mound on the property. Also observed during the survey was a terrestrial termite mound with an excavated nesting tunnel presumably made by a buff-breasted paradise kingfisher.
The Southern Cassowary
The mosaic of native species (195 species) also has exotic species (30), mostly Singapore daisy (Sphagneticola trilobata) and giant bramble (Rubus alceifolius). The existence of the exotic plant species reflects the disturbance on the site that has occurred through past clearing. This is estimated to have occurred 40 years ago and a smaller area was cleared for a house site within the last 2-3 years.
An older Macintyres boxwood (Xanthophyllum octandrum) occurs in the far southwest corner presumably surviving the initial clearing. The oldest regrowth trees on the property are tall straight blue quandong (Elaeocarpus angustifolius) and Variegated Fig (Ficus variegata) with their sinuous buttress roots and cauliflorous fruit. A well-developed understorey has developed where canopy cover exists, the best example is within the north-eastern portions of the lot where ground orchids and a defined stratum have developed. This section also is the most drainage impeded and has therefore prevented continued human disturbance. This element of site stability and natural succession has facilitated other plants to colonise which is absent from the sunnier often weed-dominated sites.
Vegetation mapping of Lot 34 Cape Tribulation Road (prior to disturbance).
Significant native plant species found during the survey
One species found on Lot 34 is listed in the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992.
The climbing pandan (Freycinetia percostata) NCA: Vulnerable
This species is restricted mainly to the Daintree lowlands and again on Cape York at Iron Range and overseas in Papua New Guinea. This climbing monocotyledon plant possesses unique leaves which the bases catch water and thus provide habitat for arboreal invertebrates and frogs. This species is present within the northeastern section of the property.
Two other significant Daintree endemic plants occur on Lot 34:
Daintree foambark (Jagera madida)
This species only occurs in the lowland rainforests between Julatten and Bloomfield.
Cooper Creek haplostichanthus (Polyalthia xanthocarpa)
The Cooper Creek Haplostichanthus occurs on Lot 34 and was observed in fruit during the survey. It is an understorey tree less than 3m tall with small yellow fruit in clusters from the trunk and branches. It is restricted to the lowland rainforests of the Daintree however can be abundant.
Kelvin Davies with Cooper Creek Haplostichanthus
Weeds
Lot 34 has a number of mostly disturbance-affiliated weeds. Singapore Daisy (Sphagneticola trilobata) is abundant and poses the greatest hindrance to site rehabilitation. Pond Apple (Annona glabra) occurs as mature specimens in the wetter drainage impeded eastern sections. Giant Bramble (Rubus alceifolius) is found wherever the canopy is absent. Other novel understorey weeds were the Southeast Asian Beehive Ginger (Zingiber spectabile) and two Central American Heliconia species plus the exotic Asian Palm (Areca triandra). The presence of Shoebutton Ardisia (Ardisia elliptica) and Brazilian Cherry (Eugenia brasiliensis) is the most concerning as these shade-tolerant weeds can become particularly abundant.
Rainforest rehabilitation
Rehabilitation of the site should focus on re-establishing continuous canopy cover and reducing the edge effect. This can be achieved through facilitating natural regeneration and supplementary tree planting.
Find out more about the purchase and protection of Lot 34 Cape Tribulation Road in the Daintree Rainforest.
