Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p62
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 179579–182670

in these isolated pockets by dispersing pollen and seeds.

Values and condition

Rainforest within Kakadu:

    * offers a marked ecosystem contrast to Kakadu's spatially dominant landscape, the lowland woodlands, and contributes a set of very different species to the overall biota

    * comprises a high diversity of species, including many endemic, restricted, disjunct and specialised species, some from the distant past (e.g. Allosyncarpia ternata)

    * is the primary habitat for four threatened species including the orchid Dienia montana (formerly Malaxis latifolia) and many culturally significant species such as yams

    * provides a cool and shady refuge for animals during the heat of the late dry season and a source of significant fruit resources for animals

    * demonstrates interesting ecological processes and evolutionary history.

The condition of rainforest environments is variable across the park. They are expanding in some lowland areas but declining in other areas because of fire. Some degradation is occurring (e.g. disturbed understorey and erosion on rainforest margins) as a result of fire, pigs and buffalo, and encroaching grassy weeds such as African grasses.

Existing threats to values

  Feral animals (highly significant)
Buffalo and pigs affect recruitment of rainforest species, particularly those associated with springs. The decline in yams in the park is likely to due to pig activity.

  Fire (highly significant)
Rainforest is particularly sensitive to fire and comprises many species intolerant of fire. The small and remote nature of rainforest patches in the park also makes management of them difficult and costly.

  Knowledge gaps (moderately significant)
The inventory of rainforest patches in the park is substantial but not comprehensive, and the distribution of some threatened species among these patches is poorly known, making management difficult. Surveys and monitoring are expensive but knowledge gaps need to be addressed so that priority areas can be identified and managed. Actions addressing research and knowledge management are covered in Section 7 (Research and knowledge management).

  Weeds (low significance, potentially increasing)
Hyptis suaveolens favours disturbed areas and is a major weed in some rainforest patches in the park. Incursions of grassy weeds, particularly those in floodplain areas such as para grass, are increasing the prevalence and intensity of fire on rainforest margins and reducing their viability.

Potential threats to values

  Myrtle rust (highly significant)
Myrtle rust has the potential to have a devastating impact on the Myrtaceae family of plants in Australia and the park should it spread here. Myrtaceae in humid environments such as rainforest will be most susceptible, especially those at springs and in riparian areas. Actions addressing plant pathogens are covered in Section 5.3 (Managing park-wide threats affecting values).

Actions

     5.2.14          Manage feral animals in and around priority rainforest patches, prioritising a reduction in the impact of pigs