Littoral Rainforest

In the Wet Tropics, littoral rainforest grows where the rainforest meets the reef, forming a narrow band along the coast where land and sea processes collide.

It is one of the most picturesque forest or vegetation types, yet is listed as critically endangered under national environmental law.

Although it covers only a small area, littoral rainforest plays an outsized role in protecting coastlines, supporting biodiversity and connecting people to place.

The Wet Tropics contains the most extensive, best-developed and well-connected littoral rainforest in Australia.

Notable local examples can be seen at Cape Tribulation in the Daintree, Kurrimine Beach, Mission Beach and Forrest Beach, as well as on nearby islands.

Littoral rainforest provides habitat for more than 70 threatened plants and animals and is particularly important for migratory butterflies and birds, including pied imperial pigeons.

This ecological community is under pressure from coastal development, storm-tide erosion and sea-level rise, with weeds, including garden escapees, posing an additional threat.

Through its Forest Resilience Project, Terrain NRM brought experts together to identify the most important, vulnerable and restorable areas of littoral rainforest. Partners are now working collaboratively to manage pests, weeds and access, and to raise awareness of this unique ecological community.