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Gondwana Rainforests of Australia

In this article, you will learn about one of the most prominent forests of the World, the Gondwana rainforests in Australia, their destruction, and their conservation value.

The Gondwana rainforests in Australia, also known as the central-eastern rainforest reserve, are considered the most widespread region of subtropical rainforest in the world. From Newcastle to Brisbane, these World Heritage area woods encompass fifty distinct reserves totalling 366,500 hectares. These woodlands provide the primary home for many vulnerable flora and fauna. The New Southern Wales area does not include all of Australia’s Gondwana rainforest, with the greatest Gondwana rainforest being in Tasmania’s Tarkine Wild. These jungles are extremely popular with tourists, with around two million visits annually. These forests have a very high conservation value and hold a significant value in the World. They are known for their beauty and provide shelter to many plants and animals, some of which are those species at risk of being endangered. 

Conservation Value

Gondwana rainforests in Australia got their special status in the list of World Heritage in 1986, which usually covered only New Southern Wales, Australia. The conservation importance of these Rainforest swarms is remarkable. These rainforest throngs are home to numerous vulnerable flora and fauna, contributing to about 200 endangered or vulnerable animal and plant species. The Australian National Heritage Listing comprises eight rainforests, which have significant heritage significance to Australia, providing the country with the highest tourism appeal location. These rainforests range in elevation between sea level to about 1,600 metres. These rainforests have significant conservation importance since they are a vital component of the globe and cannot be imagined without them.

National Parks 

The central-eastern rainforest reserve has been allocated into two sections. Queensland, Australia, stretches to the south and encompasses the major range in the far north. Mount Lamington, Mount Chinghee, Springbrook, and Mount Barney are well-known national parks.

We have New Southern Wales, Australia, which stretches to the north and contains the Barrington Hills in its northernmost position. The Dorrigo, Mt Warning, Mebbin, New England, Border Ranges, Nightcap, Washpool, Oxley Wild Rivers, Werrikimbe, and Willi Willi rainforests are the most attractive and significant national parks in New South Wales, Australia. These national parks hold a very high value in tourism for Australia.

Destruction 

Destruction has always been a part of nature; everything’s meant to be destroyed as it is the rule of nature. Gondwana rainforests also faced some destruction and massacre. Australia has always been destroyed by the impact of bushfires, a major threat to this country. This region has traditionally been intensively logged, to the extent that barely 1% of the original area of the Gondwana rainforest exists in Australia. The majority of logged areas have been replaced with eucalyptus woods. Bushfires badly burned many substantial portions of Gondwana forests during the Australian blaze season in late 2019. According to several preliminary reports, the Jan 2020 wildfire disaster destroyed 53 per cent of the whole wilderness. Among the destroyed habitats, some environments belonged to the threatened species of plants and animals. These species were among the critical ones, such as the important species of oaks and the significant species of frogs. This bushfire massacre even led to the destruction of some prominent species. The major cause of the bushfire massacre has been linked to the easy fire-catching eucalyptus trees bordering the rainforests.

Conclusion 

The Gondwana rainforests in Australia contribute to the beauty of nature and the heritage of Australia. These areas attract many visitors, which enhances tourism in Australia. These forests have exceptionally high conservation value and are divided into two sections, north and south. These rainforests have also faced severe destruction but still, prevail.

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Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Examination Preparation.

What are the main features of the Gondwana rainforests?

Answer. Gondwana rainforests, a part of World Heritage Site woodlands, ...Read full

What is the conservation value of the Gondwana rainforests?

Answer. The central-eastern rainforest reserve ranges from sea level to...Read full

What are the names of famous national parks in Australia?

Answer. The Lamington, Mount Chinghee, Springbrook and Mount Barney are the famous national parks of Queensland, Aus...Read full

What happened during the Australian bushfire season of 2019-2020?

Answer. During the Australian bushfire season of 2019-2020, the bushfires heavily destroyed many significant areas o...Read full