The Wet Tropic's Geographical Landforms
The Wet Tropics of Queensland cover an area of approximately 8940 squared kilometres, filled with exceptional beauty and ranked as the 2nd most irreplaceable UNESCO heritage site. Crammed in the area is a variety of mountains, gorges and waterfalls as well as a coastline and coral reefs that create a rugged and harsh charm. It also contains the longest single waterfall, the Wallaman falls.
The region of Wet Tropics is tropical, temperatures ranging from 25-33 degrees. Its plant life enjoys monsoon storms through November to May, resulting in a moist and humid environment. The tropics satisfy all of the four requirements required to be a UNESCO heritage site:
The region of Wet Tropics is tropical, temperatures ranging from 25-33 degrees. Its plant life enjoys monsoon storms through November to May, resulting in a moist and humid environment. The tropics satisfy all of the four requirements required to be a UNESCO heritage site:
- an example of a major evolutionary stage of the earth
- a continuing process of geology or evolution of man or the environment
- superlative natural beauty or
- a habitat that shelters threatened species of plants or animals
Flora and Fauna
The Wet Tropics of Queensland are a living museum of Australia's unique biodiversity, containing a variety of species that are virtually unchanged from its time as part of the Gondwana rainforests due to the regions continual warm and humid conditions. Therefore the Wet Tropics of Queensland rainforests are direct descendants of the rainforests of Gondwanaland 250 million years ago.
There are around 390 rare species and 74 endangered species. The Wet Tropics provide a window into the Gondwana rainforests as they contain rare and primitive plant and animal life. Some of those at extreme danger of extinction is the ribbonwood plant species, mahogany glider, southern cassowary and brush-tailed bettong. Few of the species of the Wet Tropics of Queensland have evolved as climate and environment have changed little from the rainforests of Gondwana.
There are around 390 rare species and 74 endangered species. The Wet Tropics provide a window into the Gondwana rainforests as they contain rare and primitive plant and animal life. Some of those at extreme danger of extinction is the ribbonwood plant species, mahogany glider, southern cassowary and brush-tailed bettong. Few of the species of the Wet Tropics of Queensland have evolved as climate and environment have changed little from the rainforests of Gondwana.