Nearly 80 rainforest plant species are rare or threatened with extinction and Leadbeaters' Possum and the Long Footed Potoroo are endangered. More than three-quarters of the Rainforests that existed in New South Wales 200 years ago have been lost. The remnants are only partly protected and are vulnerable to fires which spread from neighbouring Eucalypt forests. Cattle and feral pigs also damage these fragile areas. In Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, streams may be bordered by tall evergreen Rainforest.
Vine forests occur on sandstone country and lowland river plains.
Some Rainforests grow around springs which rise on the coastal plain and along the Arnhem Land escarpment. These Rainforests are generally smaller than 5 hectares and are easily damaged by feral pigs, cattle and water buffalo. Scenic areas which contain waterfalls and lush greenery are also the focus of considerable human activity. Click here to read about Rainforest Layers. Click here to return to the Rainforest Page.