Why Invest in the Wet Tropics

The Wet Tropics is a globally important priority area for biodiversity conservation.

In 2013, the IUCN, International Union for the Conservation of Nature, prioritised the Wet Tropics as the second most irreplaceable area on the planet.

Nowhere else in the world are two World Heritage Areas located side by side – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest.

The Wet Tropics NRM region covers 2.2 million hectares. While 50 per cent of the region is under protected area management with a dedicated Wet Tropics Management Authority, significant areas of
remnant forest remain unprotected.

Many species are endangered, and the interconnected reefs and rainforests of the Wet Tropics are also at risk from climate change, urban and agricultural development, weeds and pests.

The next 20 years will be challenging. Both World Heritage Areas are at risk from climate change and nature loss.

WHAT ARE WE ADVOCATING FOR?

Forest Restoration 

The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is composed of large areas of fragmented habitat. Our goal is to reconnect and buffer these remaining areas to create one large healthy and intact system that is more resilient. This will have multiple benefits:

• Protection of threatened species habitat (inc. cassowary, mahogany glider, mabi rainforest, littoral rainforest, spectacled flying fox)
• Carbon sequestration
• Protection of important climate refugia
• Filtration of water flowing to the Great Barrier Reef
• Opportunities for Indigenous people and local rural communities

The Wet Tropics is geared up to scale restoration work with 30+ members coordinating through the Wet Tropics Restoration Alliance.

Fish Homes & Highways   

The Wet Tropics has the highest diversity of fish species in Australia and many need to migrate between freshwater and estuary habitats to complete their lifecycle. However, thousands of fish barriers such as weirs and causeways prevent this from happening. Terrain NRM has assessed and prioritised fish barriers in 5 of the 9 catchments in the region. Investment is needed to complete this assessment and continue remediation work.

Mangrove Regeneration on the Cairns Esplanade

Cairns is one of the most climate-exposed cities in Australia with critical infrastructure at risk from cyclones, storm surges, seas level rise and high rainfall. Mangrove grow naturally along the foreshore but are removed to maintain the ocean views. Terrain NRM is advocating for funding for an integrated nature-based project including oyster reefs, dune rehabilitation and mangrove regeneration. Read more.