DOCSLIB.ORG

Coastal Palm Swamps

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Coastal Palm Swamps WETLAND MANAGEMENT PROFILE COASTAL PALM SWAMPS Feather and fan palm swamps were once a This typology, developed by the Queensland conspicuous feature of the coastal lowlands of Wetlands Program, also forms the basis for a set North Queensland’s Wet Tropics bioregion. of conceptual models that are linked to Agricultural and urban clearing and wetland dynamic wetlands mapping, both of which can drainage over many years have signifi cantly be accessed through the WetlandInfo website reduced the distribution of these wetlands to <www.derm/qld.gov.au/wetlandinfo>. the point where they are now endangered communities. Ongoing threats to remaining Description feather and fan palm swamps include weed This wetland management profi le describes the palm invasion, wind damage, hydrological changes swamp habitat type that is predominately found in the and the impact of feral pigs. This profi le covers Wet Tropics bioregion of North Queensland. This palustrine wetland habitat type occurs in mesophyll the habitat type of wetlands termed coastal and notophyll vine forests and can be dominated by and sub-coastal tree swamps. one or both of the following palm species: the feather palm Archontophoenix alexandrae (also commonly known as Alexandra palm), and the fan palm Licuala ramsayi (also commonly known as licuala palm). Both typically grow in areas with greater than 3000 mm annual rainfall on very wet poorly drained soils and on sand dunes with seasonally impeded drainage of the Wet Tropics coastal lowlands. Feather palm swamps are found in the lowland fl oodplain and estuarine complexes of river drainage systems. They occur in very wet lowland areas, generally less than 15 m above sea level, on sand dunes with seasonally impeded drainage, or on waterlogged alluvial soils where the watertable is always very high. The soils of these areas are derived from basaltic and granitic parent material, and are generally highly fertile when drained. The agricultural potential of these wetlands was recognised soon after European settlement and consequently they have largely been cleared. Those that remain today are generally on poorer soils. Feather palms get their common name from their pinnate (featherlike) leaves that reach up to 2 m long. The palms grow to approximately 20 m tall and dominate the swamp, with up to 150 000 stems per hectare in some sites. Seedling palms form up to 95 per cent of the total number of palm stems. Fan palm swamps are found below 150 m elevation Map showing the distribution of palm swamps in on the foot slopes, colluvial fans and alluvial plains of Queensland; grey lines indicate drainage basins. coastal ranges with very poorly draining soils that are Map: From Queensland Wetlands Mapping v2.0 (September 2009) seasonally swampy. They are generally associated with poorer quality, metamorphically derived soils, when compared to feather palm swamps. The micro-relief of the palm swamps consists of small incised streams and associated fl ats and depressions between these. Fan palms have almost circular fan-shaped leaves up to 2 m across. In palm swamps they are slow growing, reaching up to 20 m tall, with other scattered emergent trees, including sclerophyllous species, to 36 m. In contrast to feather palm swamps, fan palms constitute only up to 20 per cent of the total number of stems in any site, and these are predominantly mature trees rather than seedlings, since fan palms have low seedling numbers with commonly only 50–500 per hectare. There is greater plant species diversity here than in the feather palm swamps with 247 plant species recorded in recent studies. Of these 60 per cent are trees, with around 20 species present in most fan palm swamps and also in adjacent vine forest and swamp forest types. The fan palm swamps also host a variety of shrubs, vines, epiphytes and herbs. A feather palm swamp Photo: Roger Jaensch, Wetlands International Featherlike leaves of the feather palm Archontophoenix alexandrae Photo: Sue Gardiner Fan-shaped leaves of the fan palm Licuala ramsayi Photo: Roger Jaensch, Wetlands International Up to 150 000 feather palms can be found per hectare of feather palm swamp. Fan palms are found with other scattered emergent Photo: Roger Jaensch, Wetlands International trees in fan palm swamps. Photo: Sue Gardiner 2 state, local and the federal governments. More FEATHER palm swamps formerly information on relevant legislation is available from occurred on the coastal plain between the WetlandInfo website <www.derm.qld.gov.au/wetlandinfo>. Tully and Cairns, while fan palm swamps were distributed between Cape National conservation status Tribulation and Innisfail. Only around Sixty per cent of palm swamps fall within the Wet 40 per cent of the original extent of Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area. The Wet these wetland habitats remains and they Tropics of Queensland was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1988 in recognition of its outstanding are restricted to small patches. natural universal values: as an outstanding example representing the major stages in the Earth’s evolutionary history; as an outstanding example representing signifi cant ongoing ecological and Distribution biological processes; as an example of superlative Feather palm swamps formerly occurred on the natural phenomena; and containing important and coastal plain most frequently between Tully and signifi cant habitats for in situ conservation of Cairns, whereas fan palm swamps were distributed biological diversity. between Cape Tribulation and Innisfail. Both are now Some plants and animals of the palm swamps in Info restricted to small patches only. The Wetland Queensland are listed as endangered or threatened website provides in-depth data, detailed mapping and under the Commonwealth Environment Protection distribution information for this wetland habitat type. and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) The WetlandInfo website provides in-depth data, and/or the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 detailed mapping and distribution information for this and/or the IUCN Red List (see Species of conservation wetland habitat type. signifi cance). Recovery plans which set out research and management actions to support the recovery of Queensland status and legislation threatened species under the EPBC Act are available for some of these species, for example the cassowary Wetlands have many values – not just for conservation (see <www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity>). purposes – and the range of values can vary for each wetland habitat type and location. The Queensland World Heritage properties and threatened species are Government maintains several processes for matters of national environmental signifi cance under establishing the signifi cance of wetlands. These the EPBC Act and, as such, are afforded protection processes inform legislation and regulations to protect under the Act. Any action that will, or is likely to, wetlands, for example, the status assigned to wetlands have a signifi cant impact on a World Heritage under the regional ecosystem (RE) framework. property or threatened species will be subject to an environmental assessment and approval regime under A comprehensive suite of wetlands assessment methods the EPBC Act. for various purposes exists, some of which have been applied in Queensland. More information on wetland Cultural heritage values signifi cance assessment methods and their application is available from the WetlandInfo website Wetland ecosystems are of material and cultural <www.derm.qld.gov.au/wetlandinfo>. Queensland has importance to Indigenous people and many will have also nominated wetlands to A Directory of Important profound cultural signifi cance and values. Indigenous Wetlands of Australia (DIWA), see the appendix. and non-Indigenous (historic) cultural heritage sites have been recorded within palm swamps in The Queensland Government has direct responsibility Queensland. However, most palm swamps have not for the protection, conservation and management of been systematically surveyed or assessed for cultural wetlands in Queensland, a responsibility shared with heritage signifi cance. local government and the Australian Government (for some wetlands of international signifi cance). These Evidence of traditional occupation and use recorded responsibilities are found in laws passed by the within palm swamps include painted and engraved Queensland parliament, laws of the Commonwealth, rock art, burials, ceremonial earth and stone international obligations and in agreements between arrangements, scarred and carved trees, quarries, 3 middens, stone artefacts and scatters, dwellings, open Ecological values camps, fi sh traps, food and fi bre resources and Both feather palm and fan palm swamps contain historic contact sites. Some palm swamp areas have diverse vegetation, with fan palm swamps generally particular signifi cance as story places, landscape being greater in plant species diversity. features and as sites for cultural activities. Almost all plant and animal species have some form Feather palm swamp occur in different positions in the of traditional use or cultural signifi cance (for example landscape: some occur in lowland swamps on alluvial totemic signifi cance). Many plant and animal species soils derived from basaltic and granitic parent material, were used traditionally for food and fi bre. For in the very wet rainfall zone and may have an Acacia example, the seeds, fruits, leaves, shoots, stems, roots celsa canopy. Others occur on steep upper slopes and and tubers of plants were processed
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Musky Rat-Kangaroos, Hypsiprymnodon Moschatus: Cursorial Frugivores in Australia's Wet-Tropical Rain Forests
    ResearchOnline@JCU This file is part of the following reference: Dennis, Andrew James (1997) Musky Rat-kangaroos, hypsiprymnodon moschatus: cursorial frugivores in Australia's wet-tropical rain forests. PhD thesis, James Cook University. Access to this file is available from: http://eprints.jcu.edu.au/17401/ If you believe that this work constitutes a copyright infringement, please contact [email protected] and quote http://eprints.jcu.edu.au/17401/ Chapter 11 MUSKY RAT-KANGAROOS: CURSORIAL FRUGIVORES How do Musky Rat-kangaroos Relate !Q..their Environment ? Musky Rat-kangaroos can be classified as frugivo res because fr ui ts and seeds accounted fo r the bul k of their diet th roughout the year (Chapter 3). In addi tion, they scatterhoarded many fruits and seeds, to the benefit of at least some species of plants (Chapters 8 & 9). They consumed most of the available frui ts which had a fleshy pericarp or ani but also included the seeds of some species that did not. They ate fruits from over half the species producing fruits on my study site, many of those they did not eat were wind dispersed, housed in hard, indehiscent pods or had furry. dehiscent pods. In addition, some fleshy drupes were not consumed. Like many other frugivores, Musky Rat-kangaroos supplemented their diet from other sources, particularly when the seasonal availabil ity of fruits is at its min imum (see Terborgh 1983). During the late wet, co ld an d early dry seasons, when frui t abundance was mini mal, their search effort was random with respect to fr ui t fall s (Figure 3.8; Table 3.2).
    [Show full text]
  • Approved Plant List 10/04/12
    FLORIDA The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best time to plant a tree is today. City of Sunrise Approved Plant List 10/04/12 Appendix A 10/4/12 APPROVED PLANT LIST FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES SG xx Slow Growing “xx” = minimum height in Small Mature tree height of less than 20 feet at time of planting feet OH Trees adjacent to overhead power lines Medium Mature tree height of between 21 – 40 feet U Trees within Utility Easements Large Mature tree height greater than 41 N Not acceptable for use as a replacement feet * Native Florida Species Varies Mature tree height depends on variety Mature size information based on Betrock’s Florida Landscape Plants Published 2001 GROUP “A” TREES Common Name Botanical Name Uses Mature Tree Size Avocado Persea Americana L Bahama Strongbark Bourreria orata * U, SG 6 S Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum * L Black Olive Shady Bucida buceras ‘Shady Lady’ L Lady Black Olive Bucida buceras L Brazil Beautyleaf Calophyllum brasiliense L Blolly Guapira discolor* M Bridalveil Tree Caesalpinia granadillo M Bulnesia Bulnesia arboria M Cinnecord Acacia choriophylla * U, SG 6 S Group ‘A’ Plant List for Single Family Homes Common Name Botanical Name Uses Mature Tree Size Citrus: Lemon, Citrus spp. OH S (except orange, Lime ect. Grapefruit) Citrus: Grapefruit Citrus paradisi M Trees Copperpod Peltophorum pterocarpum L Fiddlewood Citharexylum fruticosum * U, SG 8 S Floss Silk Tree Chorisia speciosa L Golden – Shower Cassia fistula L Green Buttonwood Conocarpus erectus * L Gumbo Limbo Bursera simaruba * L
    [Show full text]
  • Bowenia Serrulata (W
    ResearchOnline@JCU This file is part of the following reference: Wilson, Gary Whittaker (2004) The Biology and Systematics of Bowenia Hook ex. Hook f. (Stangeriaceae: Bowenioideae). Masters (Research) thesis, James Cook University. Access to this file is available from: http://eprints.jcu.edu.au/1270/ If you believe that this work constitutes a copyright infringement, please contact [email protected] and quote http://eprints.jcu.edu.au/1270/ The Biology and Systematics of Bowenia Hook ex. Hook f. (Stangeriaceae: Bowenioideae) Thesis submitted by Gary Whittaker Wilson B. App. Sc. (Biol); GDT (2º Science). (Central Queensland University) in March 2004 for the degree of Master of Science in the Department of Tropical Plant Science, James Cook University of North Queensland STATEMENT OF ACCESS I, the undersigned, the author of this thesis, understand that James Cook University of North Queensland will make it available for use within the University Library and by microfilm or other photographic means, and allow access to users in other approved libraries. All users consulting this thesis will have to sign the following statement: ‘In consulting this thesis I agree not to copy or closely paraphrase it in whole or in part without the written consent of the author, and to make proper written acknowledgment for any assistance which I have obtained from it.’ ………………………….. ……………… Gary Whittaker Wilson Date DECLARATION I declare that this thesis is my own work and has not been submitted in any form for another degree or diploma at any university or other institution of tertiary education. Information derived from the published or unpublished work of others has been acknowledged in the text.
    [Show full text]
  • Chemical Element Concentrations of Cycad Leaves: Do We Know Enough?
    horticulturae Review Chemical Element Concentrations of Cycad Leaves: Do We Know Enough? Benjamin E. Deloso 1 , Murukesan V. Krishnapillai 2 , Ulysses F. Ferreras 3, Anders J. Lindström 4, Michael Calonje 5 and Thomas E. Marler 6,* 1 College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Guam, Mangilao, GU 96923, USA; [email protected] 2 Cooperative Research and Extension, Yap Campus, College of Micronesia-FSM, Colonia, Yap 96943, Micronesia; [email protected] 3 Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society Inc., Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; [email protected] 4 Plant Collections Department, Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, 34/1 Sukhumvit Highway, Najomtien, Sattahip, Chonburi 20250, Thailand; [email protected] 5 Montgomery Botanical Center, 11901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156, USA; [email protected] 6 Western Pacific Tropical Research Center, University of Guam, Mangilao, GU 96923, USA * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 13 October 2020; Accepted: 16 November 2020; Published: 19 November 2020 Abstract: The literature containing which chemical elements are found in cycad leaves was reviewed to determine the range in values of concentrations reported for essential and beneficial elements. We found 46 of the 358 described cycad species had at least one element reported to date. The only genus that was missing from the data was Microcycas. Many of the species reports contained concentrations of one to several macronutrients and no other elements. The cycad leaves contained greater nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations than the reported means for plants throughout the world. Magnesium was identified as the macronutrient that has been least studied.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Floral Presentation and Bee-Pollination in Two Sprengelia Species (Ericaceae)
    Comparative floral presentation and bee-pollination in two Sprengelia species (Ericaceae) Karen A. Johnson* and Peter B. McQuillan School of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 78, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia. *Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: Pollination by sonication is unusual in the Styphelioideae, family Ericaceae. Sprengelia incarnata and Sprengelia propinqua have floral characteristics that suggested they might be adapted to buzz pollination.Both species have florally similar nectarless flowers except that the stamens ofSprengelia propinqua spread widely after the flower opens, while those of Sprengelia incarnata cohere in the centre of the flower. To test whether sonication occurs, we observed bee behaviour at the flowers of both plant species, documented potential pollinators, and examined their floral and pollen attributes. We found that Sprengelia incarnata had smaller and drier pollen than Sprengelia propinqua. We found that Sprengelia incarnata was sonicated by native bees in the families Apidae (Exoneura), Halictidae (Lasioglossum) and Colletidae (Leioproctus, Euryglossa). Sprengelia propinqua was also visited by bees from the Apidae (Exoneura) and Halictidae (Lasioglossum), but pollen was collected by scraping. The introduced Apis mellifera (Apidae) foraged at Sprengelia propinqua but ignored Sprengelia incarnata. The two Sprengelia species shared some genera of potential pollinators, but appeared to have diverged enough in their floral and pollen characters to elicit different behaviours from the native and introduced bees. Cunninghamia (2011) 12 (1): 45–51 Introduction species, some Leucopogon species, Richea milliganii (Hook.f.) F.Muell., and Sprengelia incarnata Sm. (Houston The interactions between plants and pollinators are thought & Ladd, 2002; Ladd, 2006).
    [Show full text]
  • Botanic Endeavour 250 Trail Botanic Endeavour Trail - 600M | Botanic Explorers Trail - 900M
    Botanic Endeavour 250 Trail Botanic Endeavour Trail - 600m | Botanic Explorers Trail - 900m Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand celebrates 250 years of the discovery of the flora of Australia’s east coast and New Zealand by western science in 1770 and over 40,000 years of traditional knowledge. Be an epic voyager for the day and discover some of the plants that Banks and Solander collected during their voyage along the east coast of Australia. Look out for the Botanic Endeavour 250 symbol to find what other plants were discovered during the voyage as you wander through the gardens. Botanic Endeavour 250 Our plants, our future Botanic Gardens and Arboreta throughout Australia and New Zealand (BGANZ) commemorate the anniversary ‘voyage of discovery’ onboard the barque Endeavour, during which Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander made a comprehensive collection of flora. Captain James Cook mapped the entire coastline of New Zealand in 1769 before traversing the east coast of Australia in 1770 from Point Hicks to Cape York. Pressings of over 520 new taxa unknown to western science were collected along the route up the east coast of Australia and these, along with thousands of botanical illustrations, somehow made it back to England in the face of shipwreck, waterlogging and the dank and humid conditions below decks. The rich abundance of diverse flora excited the botanic world and ultimately led to the settlement of the new colony. In Australia, 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of these discoveries. New Zealand celebrated this anniversary in 2019. Our Australian Indigenous heritage Prior to 1770, the Traditional Custodians of Australia lived in harmony with the land for over 40,000 years and discovered the ethnobotanic use for Australia’s native flora for food, medicine, tools, clothing and building materials.
    [Show full text]
  • Checklist of Vascular Plants Recorded for Cattana Wetlands Class Family Code Taxon Common Name
    Checklist of Vascular Plants Recorded for Cattana Wetlands Class Family Code Taxon Common Name FERNS & ALLIES Aspleniaceae Asplenium nidus Birds Nest Fern Blechnaceae Stenochlaena palustris Climbing Swamp Fern Dryopteridaceae Coveniella poecilophlebia Marsileaceae Marsilea mutica Smooth Nardoo Polypodiaceae Colysis ampla Platycerium hillii Northern Elkhorn Fern Pteridaceae Acrostichum speciosum Mangrove Fern Schizaeaceae Lygodium microphyllum Climbing Maidenhair Fern Lygodium reticulatum GYMNOSPERMS Araucariaceae Agathis robusta Queensland Kauri Pine Podocarpaceae Podocarpus grayae Weeping Brown Pine FLOWERING PLANTS-DICOTYLEDONS Acanthaceae * Asystasia gangetica subsp. gangetica Chinese Violet Pseuderanthemum variabile Pastel Flower * Sanchezia parvibracteata Sanchezia Amaranthaceae * Alternanthera brasiliana Brasilian Joyweed * Gomphrena celosioides Gomphrena Weed; Soft Khaki Weed Anacardiaceae Blepharocarya involucrigera Rose Butternut * Mangifera indica Mango Tuesday, 31 August 2010 Checklist of Plants for Cattana Wetlands RLJ Page 1 of 12 Class Family Code Taxon Common Name Semecarpus australiensis Tar Tree Annonaceae Cananga odorata Woolly Pine Melodorum leichhardtii Acid Drop Vine Melodorum uhrii Miliusa brahei Raspberry Jelly Tree Polyalthia nitidissima Canary Beech Uvaria concava Calabao Xylopia maccreae Orange Jacket Apocynaceae Alstonia scholaris Milky Pine Alyxia ruscifolia Chain Fruit Hoya pottsii Native Hoya Ichnocarpus frutescens Melodinus acutiflorus Yappa Yappa Tylophora benthamii Wrightia laevis subsp. millgar Millgar
    [Show full text]
  • SGAP Cairns Newsletter
    SGAP Cairns Newsletter May 2018 Newsletter 179 Editor’s Note Society for Growing Australian Plants, Inc. Cairns Branch. www.sgapcairns.org.au You may have noticed this month’s newsletter is not as [email protected] “flashy” or to the standard we have come to expect each month from our newsletter editor, Stuart, that is because 2018 -2019 Committee he is taking a well earned holiday! However, what we President: Tony Roberts lack in pizzazz we have made up in content! Don has Vice President: Pauline Lawie kindly put together a report on our trip to Ella Bay (which Secretary: Sandy Perkins ([email protected]) was a great day out, btw) and the plant of the month Treasurer: Val Carnie Newsletter: including an interesting google translation. And of Stuart Worboys course, there are the details on our next excursion to ([email protected]) Emerald Creek Falls. Looking forward to seeing you all Webmaster: Tony Roberts ​ ​ in May. Sandy Perkins Excursion Report ELLA BAY (HEATH POINT ) Sunday 15 April 2018 By Don Lawie The beach and dune walk planned for 11 March was cancelled due to heavy rain, local flooding and road washouts. Indeed, damage to Ella Bay Road was so bad that it was closed at Heath Point, the southern arm of Ella Bay, when we arrived on 15 April. Nothing daunted, we set off along the beach but were soon blocked by sharp volcanic rocks so diverted to the road and walked up a steep hill then returned to the beach beyond the rock barrier. The aim of the day was to discover what plants – trees, shrubs, vines etc.- grew in the area with fruits that would conceivably be eaten by shipwrecked mariners who were not knowledgeable about their edibility or otherwise.
    [Show full text]
  • Vol45n3p127-135
    PALMS Smith: Leafletbv Leaflet Volume 45(3) 2001 Leaflet by Lucv T. Svrrn Leaflet Collegeof Music, Visual Arts and Theatre PO Box 25 Painting the lames Cook University Townsville,Q\d,4811, Palmsof North Australia Queensland 1.Oraniopsis appendiculota growing on the mossybank of a crystal-clearcreek at high altitude.on Mount Lewis. ln 1997, Lucy Smith embarked on a two-year Master of Creative Arts degree in illustration, designed to research and portray in detail the palm flora of North Queensland. The resulting collection of paintings captures eighteen of these palms in their natural habitats and forms, highlighting the diversity and beauty of both the palms and the environments in which they grow. PALMS4s(3): 127-135 127 PALMS Smith: Leafletby Leaflet Volume45(3) 200'l Images of palms in Australian art history The palms of Australia were painted and drawn for many purposesin the last two centuries.They appear in drawings for the description of new species,as elements in the painted landscape,and are also mentioned in the accounts of European exploration and settlement of the country. The palms that were most often mentioned and illustratedby early Europeanexplorers and settlers in Australia, from the 18th century onwards, were from the genera Livistona, Archontophoenix and Ptychosperma.Beginning with Joseph Banks' first observations of the Australian vegetation in 1 788 (in fact the only plant to which he could attribute a name), many accounts by early settlers and explorers "cabbage contained referencesto the palm." The cabbagepalm in question, Livistonaaustralis, indeed once grew quite extensively around Botany Bay, site of the first European landing, and Sydney Harbor, site of the first fleets of settlers.Those people keeping accountsof settlement were mostly interested in the palms' immedlate and potential practical usesin providing food and construction material.
    [Show full text]
  • The Palms of Monserrate, Sintra, Portugal
    Luckhurst Montserrate_Layout 1 2/9/11 12:53 PM Page 5 PALMS Luckhurst: Palms of Monserrate Vol. 55(1) 2011 The Palms of GERALD LUCKHURST Landscape Architect Monserrate, Avenida 25 de Abril, 56, Galamares, 2710-246 Sintra Sintra, Portugal Portugal [email protected] 1. Dome of Monserrate seen behind Trachycarpus fortunei and Phoenix canariensis. The garden of Monserrate in Portugal contains a wealth of fine trees planted mostly in the second half of the nineteenth century including giant Araucarias, Kauri pines, Banyans and Metrosideros. The collection of palms is particularly rich and has great historical significance since the palms at Monserrate were among the first specimens of their kind planted in the open air in Europe. Today there are some seventy or more species of palm growing at Monserrate, twenty-four of them representing historic plantings (Fig. 1). PALMS 55(1): 5–14 5 Luckhurst Montserrate_Layout 1 2/9/11 12:53 PM Page 6 PALMS Luckhurst: Palms of Monserrate Vol. 55(1) 2011 Sintra, near Lisbon, Portugal, enjoys one of arches, Roman and Renaissance sculpture, the mildest climates in Europe, comparable Chinese urns and Iznik tiles. The house, built only to the southern-most coasts of Spain and on de Visme’s gothic castle walls, was Italy and some islands of the Mediterranean. decorated in “Moorish style” with an amalgam However, its position at the western-most of Indian and Venetian and Florentine point of continental Europe gives it a wholly Renaissance details – the palace of a Nabob in Atlantic outlook with abundant winter rains the words of one visitor.
    [Show full text]
  • (OUV) of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area
    Handout 2 Natural Heritage Criteria and the Attributes of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area The notes that follow were derived by deconstructing the original 1988 nomination document to identify the specific themes and attributes which have been recognised as contributing to the Outstanding Universal Value of the Wet Tropics. The notes also provide brief statements of justification for the specific examples provided in the nomination documentation. Steve Goosem, December 2012 Natural Heritage Criteria: (1) Outstanding examples representing the major stages in the earth’s evolutionary history Values: refers to the surviving taxa that are representative of eight ‘stages’ in the evolutionary history of the earth. Relict species and lineages are the elements of this World Heritage value. Attribute of OUV (a) The Age of the Pteridophytes Significance One of the most significant evolutionary events on this planet was the adaptation in the Palaeozoic Era of plants to life on the land. The earliest known (plant) forms were from the Silurian Period more than 400 million years ago. These were spore-producing plants which reached their greatest development 100 million years later during the Carboniferous Period. This stage of the earth’s evolutionary history, involving the proliferation of club mosses (lycopods) and ferns is commonly described as the Age of the Pteridophytes. The range of primitive relict genera representative of the major and most ancient evolutionary groups of pteridophytes occurring in the Wet Tropics is equalled only in the more extensive New Guinea rainforests that were once continuous with those of the listed area.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Plant Species List of Plant Species
    List of plant species List of Plant Species Contents Amendment history .......................................................................................................................... 2 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Application ........................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Relationship with planning scheme ..................................................................................... 3 1.3 Purpose ............................................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Aim ...................................................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Who should use this manual? ............................................................................................. 3 2 Special consideration ....................................................................................................................... 3 3 Variations ......................................................................................................................................... 4 4 Relationship ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Appendix A – Explanatory notes & definitions .......................................................................................
    [Show full text]