Broad Leaf Tea-Tree Woodlands

One of Australia’s most unique and endangered ecosystems, Broad-leaf tea-tree woodlands, is quietly disappearing and landholders can play a critical role in conservation efforts.

Found across northern Australia in lowlands that are subject to seasonal flooding, these woodlands are home to a rich diversity of plants and animals, yet due to historical land clearing and ongoing threats, their survival is increasingly at risk.

Tony O’Malley, Project Coordinator at Terrain NRM said Broad leaf tea-tree woodlands in high rainfall coastal north Queensland are listed as an endangered ecological community by the Australian Government.

“They provide habitat for a unique community of plants and animals – from orchids and ant plants to frogs and 36 butterfly species – yet many people don’t even know it exists” he said.

Broad-leaf tea-tree woodlands, with their canopy of Melaleuca viridiflora trees and incredibly diverse understorey, provide a vital food source for wildlife. Endangered mahogany gliders and cassowaries rely on these woodlands for survival and movement across the landscape.

“Maybe they’re not as lush as rainforests, but tea-tree woodlands are just as important and historically they’ve been extensively cleared. There’s less than 20 per cent of the original forest remaining,” said Mr O’Malley.

“They continue to be at risk from clearing but also invasive weeds, inappropriate fire and grazing management, feral animals and development that changes drainage.”

Terrain NRM is working with partners to improve the condition of Broad leaf tea-tree woodlands on public land at Damper Creek and Dallachy near Cardwell as part of its Forest Resilience project. The project is controlling key threats identified in a community consultation workshop including exotic pine tree wildlings, feral pigs and inappropriate fire.