Tasmanian Wilderness WORLD HERITAGE AREA () Property ID 181bis

PROPOSAL FOR A MINOR BOUNDARY MODIFICATION For submission to the World Heritage Committee 1 February 2013

Tasmanian Wilderness WORLD HERITAGE AREA (AUSTRALIA) Property ID 181bis

Proposal for a Minor boundary modification for submission to the World Heritage Committee

1 February 2013

In Response to World Heritage Committee Decision 36 COM 8B.45 paragraph 4

For submission by 1 February 2013 Tasmanian

© Commonwealth of Australia 2013

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Public Affairs, GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601 or email [email protected]

2 TASMANIAN WILDERNESS WORLD HERITAGE AREA (AUSTRALIA) Property ID 181bis Wilderness

Australia is pleased to propose a minor modification to the boundaries of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, property ID 181bis. This dossier is submitted for review by the relevant Advisory Bodies and for the consideration of the World Heritage Committee at its 37 th session when it meets in Phnom Penh, Cambodia 17–27 June 2013.

The dossier includes the required documentation as set out in Annex 11 of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention.

This proposal responds to World Heritage Committee Decision 36 COM 8B.45 paragraph 4:

“The World Heritage Committee:

Reiterates its recommendation that the State Party consider further minor modifications to the boundaries of the property, considering the past decisions of the World Heritage Committee1 on boundaries in relation to the natural [and cultural values].”

The Australian Government is satisfied that this boundary modification will serve better identification of the natural attributes of the Tasmanian Wilderness and enhance protection of its Outstanding Universal Value noting that the cultural values require further study and consultation with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.

1 Decision 36 COM 8B.45 4 reiterates a number of previous similar requests to consider eventual additions at the discretion of the State Party; most recently Decision 34 COM 8B.46 para 5; Decision 34 COM 7B.38 para 5, and in earlier decisions 332 COM 7B.41 para 5 which requested the State Party to include areas of tall eucalyptus forest, having regard to the advice of the IUCN and 31 COM 7B.43 para 4 which urged the State Party to consider including critical old growth forest to the east and north of the property.

Proposal for a Minor Boundary Modification // For submission to the World Heritage Committee // 1 February 2013 3 Tasmanian

1. AREA OF THE PROPERTY (IN HECTARES)

a) The area of the property as inscribed is 1 412 183 hectares2. b) The extension to the property is between 170 000 and 174 000 hectares3.

2 Refer to the State Party response to letter from Kishore Rao Director CLT/WHC/PSM/12/AB/APA/264. 3 A more accurate figure, taking into account the exclusions listed in section 2, and accompanied by a more detailed description of the component areas, as shown in Table 1, will form part of the supplementary information to be provided by 28 February 2013.

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2. DESCRIPTION OF THE MODIFICATION

The proposed addition to the property includes areas along the northern and eastern boundary, encompassing extensive stands of magnificent tall eucalypt forest, associated rainforest, significant karst and glacial landforms as well as alpine and sub-alpine environments.

There is no proposed buffer zone4.

Table 1 lists the areas that are proposed for inclusion in the boundary. These additions include those proposed by the Tasmanian Forest Agreement 2012, and those from other existing state managed reserves, together with small areas of privately owned land already managed for conservation.

4 In Australia, most world heritage properties do not have a buffer zone. This is because the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 provides legal protection for world heritage values. Adjacent production forestry areas will continue to be covered by a Regional Forest Agreement and the Tasmanian Forest Practices Act 1985 and Forest Practices Code as discussed in State Party reports on the Tasmanian Wilderness. Aboriginal heritage is protected including under the Tasmanian Aboriginal Relics Act 1975 (new legislation is currently being introduced in ).

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TABLE 1: PROPOSED ADDITIONS

1 Nelson Falls Catchment 2 Dove River 3 Upper Mersey 4 Mole Creek Karst 5 Great Western Tiers (Northern) 5 Great Western Tiers (Eastern) 6 Upper Derwent 7 Florentine 8 Mount Field 9 Mt Wedge-Upper Florentine 10 Styx-Tyenna 11 Weld-Snowy Range 12 Huon-Picton 13 Hartz-Esperance 14 Recherche

Total Area between 170 000 and 174 000 hectares

Note the proposed modification excludes: small Section 6); as well as areas of hydro electricity lengths of roads managed by local councils and generating infrastructure. Also excluded from the Tasmanian Department of Infrastructure, the proposal is the infrastructure associated Energy and Resources and associated quarries; with the Warra Long Term Ecological Research access corridors for some forestry activities: site in the Southern Forests (flux tower, weirs, in the Picton enclave; and to link the Tyenna weather station, and including established and Florentine areas; any transitional logging research plots where some logging may occur for coupes not completed by June 2013 (refer to scientific purposes).

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3. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE MODIFICATION

In 2012 the State Party report on the State of the values of these areas and available timber Conservation of the Tasmanian Wilderness reserves was undertaken. This process considered reported on a new process, the Tasmanian a number of areas identified as having old Forests Intergovernmental Agreement. The growth forest contiguous with and providing Agreement was entered into by the Australian connectivity to the world heritage property. and Tasmanian governments to further protect Australia notes concerns have been expressed in high conservation value areas of Tasmania’s past decisions of the World Heritage Committee5 native forests, including possible nomination and by environment groups in relation to the of appropriate areas for inclusion in the potential for logging activities adjacent to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. world heritage property to compromise options The Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, for future extensions to the world heritage and the Tasmanian Premier, the Hon Lara property to the east and the north of the property. Giddings MP, signed the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement on The Australian and Tasmanian governments 7 August 2011. have strongly supported the efforts of the forestry industry, unions and environment Under the terms of the agreement, significant groups in their bid to develop a constructive way iconic areas adjacent to the Tasmanian forward to secure a sustainable future for the Wilderness were given interim protection timber industry and its workers while working from logging activities, including the Upper to protect high conservation value public native Florentine and areas within the Styx, Huon, forests including in areas to the north and east Picton and Counsel River Valleys, while an of the Tasmanian Wilderness. independent verification process to assess

5 For example: 32COM7B.41 para 3e) manage the forestry areas outside the inscribed property in order to protect cultural sites of potential Outstanding Universal Value; para 3f) ensure logging roads in areas adjacent to the TWWHA consider the ecological integrity, possible cultural sites and aesthetic values of the property, and reclaim roads no longer required; para 3g) prepare and implement a vegetation management plan covering the TWWHA and the adjoining forest reserves jointly by national parks and the forestry authorities, to address representativity of vegetation types and to reduce risks, particularly from fires and climate change; and earlier decisions such as 31 COM 7B.43 para 3. Notes with concern the issues raised by NGOs in relation to the impacts of logging adjacent to the world heritage property and the commencement of the North Weld Road which compromises options for future extensions to the world heritage property; para 4. Urges the State Party to consider the extension of the world heritage property to include critical old-growth forests to the east and north of the property, or at least to manage these forests in a manner which is consistent with a potential World Heritage value;

Proposal for a Minor Boundary Modification // For submission to the World Heritage Committee // 1 February 2013 7 Tasmanian

In November 2012, key forestry industry, union, community and environmental groups (after considerable effort), developed an agreed position on the future of Tasmania’s forest industry and environment – the Tasmanian Forest Agreement 2012. The agreement included the recommendation “that governments nominate to the World Heritage Committee, for consideration in June 2013, 123 650 hectares as a proposed minor extension to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area”.

This historic agreement paved the way for development of a proposal for a minor boundary modification. The resulting proposal is comprised of areas that were recommended for inclusion in an extension as a result of the Tasmanian Forest Agreement; as well as existing reserves under the Tasmanian Nature Conservation Act 2002 or Forestry Act 1920, and small areas of privately managed conservation land, which extend or link the property and the Tasmanian Forest Agreement areas.

The various parcels of land are included in a more rational and contiguous boundary. The proposed new boundaries recognise connectivity and improve integrity of natural heritage, notably karst systems, glacial landforms, and areas of better developed tall eucalypt forest combined with rainforest on different geology and more productive soils.

For example, the inclusion of Mt Field National Park adds to the diversity of glacial landforms, adds further areas of tall eucalypt forest and captures the deepest parts of the outstanding Junee karst and cave system.

8 TASMANIAN WILDERNESS WORLD HERITAGE AREA (AUSTRALIA) Property ID 181bis Wilderness

4. CONTRIBUTION TO THE MAINTENANCE OF THE OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE

Criteria (vii) – contain superlative Plateau landform and improving the protection natural phenomena or areas of of significant geomorphic and physiographic exceptional natural beauty and features which extend beyond the current property aesthetic importance boundaries. Karst additions greatly add to the The enhanced property boundary will diversity of values and integrity of the Mole Creek add additional areas of exceptional beauty, karst, including the Marakoopa, Croesus and particularly majestic stands of tall eucalypt other caves systems. forests and the Great Western Tiers escarpment. The additions will include additional primitive Superlative karst features will be included. There floral and faunal groups within the property and will be protection of further areas of wild land will extend the representation of groups already around the existing property. The additions included in the property. will ensure core wilderness landscapes are more remote from external resource extraction Criteria (ix) – be outstanding examples activities. Incorporation of adjacent areas representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes will provide greater integrity for the natural in the evolution and development landscape values of the property once managed of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and for the purpose of conservation within a single marine ecosystems and communities management arrangement. of plants and animals Criteria (viii) – be outstanding examples The property already has very high levels of representing major stages of the earth’s history, including the record endemism. The additions will increase the of life, significant ongoing geological representation of endemic species included in the processes in the development of property and add species not currently known landforms, or significant geomorphic or from the property. physiographic features The addition of some important stands of tall The additions will contribute to the already eucalypt forest will incorporate a significant substantial geodiversity in the property, adding a eucalypt corridor wholly within the new boundary, number of important glacial and karst features, greatly enhancing integrity of this globally major escarpment sections of the Central important forest ecosystem. The greater expanse

Proposal for a Minor Boundary Modification // For submission to the World Heritage Committee // 1 February 2013 9 Tasmanian

and connectivity increases the area of interaction The cultural values will need further between tall eucalypt forest and rainforest thus identification and consultation with allowing for better representation of ongoing the Tasmanian Aboriginal community ecological process of reciprocal interaction between these temperate communities. The Tasmanian Wilderness is a mixed property which has important cultural values. Additional work is required to identify cultural values that Criterion (x) – contains the most would enhance criteria (iii), (v), and (vi). Further important and significant natural evaluation must involve consultation with the habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those Tasmanian Aboriginal community which has containing threatened species of not yet taken place. It is for this reason that this Outstanding Universal Value from the proposal for a minor boundary modification is point of view of science or conservation made on the basis of the four natural criteria (vii), (vii), (ix) and (x) for which the property is inscribed. The extensions will significantly enhance the representation of wet eucalypt forests within the The State Party will report progress on property, including tall eucalypt forests which identification of cultural values for the property have long been of scientific interest. in the next State of Conservation report prepared in response to Decision 36 COM 7B.36 for Additional important habitat would be added consideration at the 39th session of the World for a number of rare and threatened species, Heritage Committee. including species of Outstanding Universal Value for science and conservation eg Tasmanian devil, INTEGRITY AND IMPROVED spotted-tailed quoll and Clarence galaxias. The CONSERVATION OF additions will add rare and threatened species OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE that are not currently included, or known to be The Tasmanian Wilderness was first inscribed on included, in the property. the World Heritage List in 1982 for natural and cultural values. At that time it was recommended that a larger area would improve the conservation of the site, and in 1989 a reformulation of the original site with significant revision of its boundary (representing a 78 per cent increase) was accepted by the World Heritage Committee.

10 TASMANIAN WILDERNESS WORLD HERITAGE AREA (AUSTRALIA) Property ID 181bis Wilderness

While it was recognised at the time in the IUCN Northern boundary technical evaluation that the boundaries of the new property were an immense improvement The Great Western Tiers escarpment is a on the original, it was also apparent that timber significant landscape feature and the proposed values in areas outside the boundaries of the new boundary includes most landforms site had led to the exclusion of other areas with previously only partly included in the property, potential Outstanding Universal Value. notably entire karst systems and also the sites of valley glaciers and moraines associated with Potential threats to environmental, visual and the Pleistocene Central Plateau icecap. Also, wilderness values of the property from extractive its forest-cloaked slopes add significantly to the forestry operations outside the eastern boundary range of forest types represented. have been the subject of ongoing reactive monitoring including a UNESCO/IUCN/ Eastern boundary ICOMOS monitoring mission in 20086. Further minor additions were made in 2010 and 2012. Proposed additions along the eastern boundary make a major contribution to the integrity of The proposed additions will markedly improve tall eucalypt forests, achieving connectivity the conservation of the natural values of the of all of the major stands of tall eucalypt property along the northern and eastern borders. forests in the property. The representation and Sweeping landscapes of exceptional natural conservation of karst and glacial values, and their beauty, especially associated with tall eucalypt inter-relationship, is also enhanced, notably in the forests, will now be protected. Significant vicinity of Mt Field National Park. features, notably remarkable karst systems and glacial features extending beyond the existing In summary, both individually and collectively, boundary, will be brought into the property. The the parcels of land proposed for addition boundary will be more robust and manageable. have contributions to make to the Tasmanian Active management of threats and incursions in Wilderness property. Furthermore, there are the new additions can improve conservation of important thematic links between many of the the existing property. parcels as well as between the additions and the existing property. These considerations for the The additions also provide a more landscape-based extension will be elaborated in supplementary boundary for the Tasmanian Wilderness and hence information that will be provided separately for an improved capacity to manage the property’s each of the sections listed in Table 1 and labelled Outstanding Universal Value. in Map 1.

6 http://whc.unesco.org/en/sessions/32COM/documents/

Proposal for a Minor Boundary Modification // For submission to the World Heritage Committee // 1 February 2013 11

Tasmanian

5. IMPLICATIONS FOR LEGAL PROTECTION

All world heritage properties in Australia are Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity matters of national environmental significance Conservation Act 1999 approvals are not required protected and managed under national for certain forestry operations if they are within legislation, the Environment Protection and a Regional Forest Agreement region;7 this applies Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This Act to harvesting of forest products and related is the statutory instrument for implementing land clearing, land preparation, regeneration Australia’s obligations under a number of (including burning) and transport operations if multilateral environmental agreements including they are taken in accordance with the Regional the World Heritage Convention. By law, any Forest Agreement; however this exception does action that has, will have or is likely to have a not apply in a property included in the World significant impact on the world heritage values Heritage List8. of a world heritage property must be referred Further information and a copy of the to the responsible minister for consideration. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Substantial penalties apply for taking such an Conservation Act 1999 can be found at: action without approval. Once a heritage place is listed, the Act has provisions for management http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/about/ plans which set out the significant heritage index.html. aspects of the place and how the values of the The proposed additions include areas of forest site will be managed. This requirement is met identified through the Tasmanian Forest by the existing Tasmanian Wilderness World Agreement 2012 for reservation under Tasmanian Heritage Management Plan, which is due to be legislation. These areas will be provided with reviewed in 2015. interim protection from forestry activities Importantly this Act also aims to protect matters through a conservation agreement signed by of national environmental significance, such as the Australian and Tasmanian governments, world heritage properties, from impacts even if and Forestry Tasmania under the Australian they originate outside the property or if the values Environment Protection and Biodiversity of the property are mobile (as in fauna). It thus Conservation Act 1999. forms an additional layer of protection designed to protect values of world heritage properties from external impacts.

7 Listed under Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999:Part 4: Div 4: s 38 (1) Cases in which environmental approvals are not needed: Forestry operations in certain regions: Part 3 not to apply to certain RFA forestry operations. 8 see Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999:Part 4: Div 4: s42.

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The Tasmanian Forest Agreement has established http://www.thelaw.tas.gov.au/tocview/index. a process for progressing formal reservation of w3p;cond=;doc_id=63%2B%2B2002%2BAT%4 these areas. The Tasmanian Forest Agreement Bill 0EN%2B20130108160000;histon=;prompt=;rec provides the mechanism to provide protection =;term= for the proposed reserves and is due to be further and debated in the Tasmanian Parliament from March 2013. The subsequent reservation process http://www.thelaw.tas.gov.au/tocview/index. will involve further stakeholder consultation to w3p;cond=;doc_id=60%2B%2B1920%2BAT%4 develop appropriate and manageable boundaries 0EN%2B20130108160000;histon=;prompt=;rec= for the individual reserves. ;term=. The proposed additions also include areas of land that are already legally protected under the Tasmanian Nature Conservation Act 2002 or Forestry Act 1920. For copies of these Acts, see:

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6. IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service will management agencies to ensure management continue to be the lead agency managing the is compatible with the surrounding world property in line with existing well-developed heritage property. Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area There are current management plans for some management systems and processes. existing reserves: Formal community engagement in management • Mt Field National Park, Marriotts Falls State of the areas will continue to involve the statutory Reserve and Junee Cave State Reserve National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council (see: http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index. which has recently been merged with the former aspx?base=6250) World Heritage Area Consultative Committee. • Mole Creek Karst National Park The Council consists of people with an interest (see: http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index. in and ability to contribute to the objectives aspx?base=6242) of the Tasmanian National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002 and the capacity to These management plans can continue to be used offer independent advice, taking into account to manage these areas pending their inclusion community views and expectations. in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Management Plan. Planning for the additions The new areas will be incorporated in the existing will involve consultation with a wide range of Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area stakeholders including existing commercial Management Plan (see http://www.parks.tas.gov. users such as bee-keepers; other users; and local au/index.aspx?base=6158) when it comes up for a communities. Emphasis will be on community full review in 2015. Until that process is complete engagement to ensure the Outstanding the new areas will be managed in accord with the Universal Value is protected and presented objectives and general management strategies of to visitors, whilst providing for a range of this plan. compatible and sustainable activities that support The Management Plan recognises that the local communities. Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area The Tasmanian Forest Agreement 2012 provides opportunities for a wide range of recognises that there will need to be a transitional recreation pursuits. Protocols for management period to allow wood requirements to be met of transport corridors and significant electricity while logging schedules are redirected to areas infrastructure that have been excluded from the outside the agreed reserves. This transitional proposed area will be developed with the relevant period will involve some short-term logging in

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associated management and planning systems, including systems accredited under ISO 14001 (environmental management systems) and the Australian Forestry Standard. Once logged, some of these areas may require active management to assist ecological recovery.

Within some of the proposed additions there are areas that have been previously logged and are in the process of revegetation, and there is also infrastructure associated with previous forest harvesting, including roads, bridges etc. some areas identified for reservation, to avoid Initial planning for these areas will consider the stand-down of workers and contractors, and usefulness of this infrastructure for management mill closures. of the property for conservation of its A transitional schedule that minimises any Outstanding Universal Value. Some exotic species impacts on the agreed reserves, including any and disease infestations, particularly associated adverse impacts on potential Outstanding with gravel roads and disturbed areas, have been Universal Value of the areas that are proposed for recorded in the proposed additions and will inclusion within the boundaries of the Tasmanian require prompt attention. However, with careful Wilderness, has been developed. Within the management, there are opportunities to minimise areas that were recommended by the Tasmanian the impacts of disturbances, to progressively Forest Agreement 2012 to be included in the restore the condition of any degraded areas and Tasmanian Wilderness, transitional arrangements improve the resilience of the existing property. have meant that a small number of coupes may Funding for management of the proposed be logged after June 2013. Harvesting in these additions has been agreed as part of the areas will be complete by September 2013. Tasmanian Forest Agreement. The Australian These areas are excluded from the proposed Government has committed to provide boundary modification. There will be processing $AU9 million per annum for management of and removal of felled trees and appropriate all new reserves, including those proposed for remediation on these sites in 2013–14. inclusion in the property, following formal Any forestry activities undertaken as part of legislative protection by the Tasmanian the transitional phase will be subject to the Government. This funding is in addition to the existing Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement, $3.4 million per annum that the Australian the Tasmanian Forest Practices Act and Forest Government currently provides for management Practices Code guidelines and standards of the World Heritage Area which is more than which cover natural and cultural values, and matched by the Tasmanian Government.

Proposal for a Minor Boundary Modification // For submission to the World Heritage Committee // 1 February 2013 21 Tasmanian

7. M A P S:

Maps are included at the end of this document (back cover):

Map 1: Showing the original delimitation of the boundary and new areas in proposed revision.

Map 2: Showing the proposed revised boundary.

8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Supplementary information to be provided:

The Australian and Tasmanian governments are currently compiling supplementary information on the proposal. This will include a more accurate figure for the area that takes into account the exclusions listed in Section 2. The extra time beyond the submission date of 1 February 2013 is necessary to allow for further spatial analysis of information on values held by the Australian and Tasmanian governments. Supplementary information on the component areas listed in Table 1 on their contributions to Outstanding Universal Value, including species lists, and a bibliography, will be included.

Photographs

Photographs are used throughout the document to highlight key values and to show improved integrity. Refer to list of photo credits (following).

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PHOTO CREDITS

PAGE PHOTO DESCRIPTION cover Tall eucalypts in the upper reaches of the , snow-capped Mt Mueller in the background, some logging disturbance. Rob Blakers Values: biodiversity, tall eucalypt forest, aesthetic values. inside front cover A pair of giant trees, Styx Tall Trees Forest Reserve, Styx Valley. Geoff Law Values: biodiversity, tall eucalypt forest, aesthetic values. header (right) Isolated pandani on the Navarre Plains grasslands. Rob Blakers Values: biodiversity, aesthetic values. header (left) Peaks above the Florentine Valley – these are within the current WHA. Rob Blakers Values: wilderness, integrity, aesthetic values. 3 Myrtle Beech, Nothofagus cunninghamii, . Grant Dixon Values: biodiversity, aesthetic values. 4 Tall eucalypt forest, Weld Valley. Rob Blakers Values: integrity, wilderness, biodiversity, tall eucalypt forest, aesthetic values. 5 A giant Eucalyptus regnans named Gandalf’s Staff, an official giant at 285 cubic metres and 84 metres tall, Big Tree Forest Reserve, Styx Valley. Geoff Law Values: biodiversity, tall eucalypt forest, aesthetic values. 8 Tall Eucalyptus regnans and snow-covered tree fern, Styx Valley. Ted Mead Values: biodiversity, tall eucalypt forest, aesthetic values. 12 (top) Giant stringybark, Eucalyptus obliqua, Weld Valley. Rob Blakers Values: biodiversity, tall eucalypt forest, aesthetic values. 12 (bottom) The forests of the upper Florentine Valley. The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area incorporates the mountains in the background but not the forests in the valley. Rob Blakers Values: integrity, wilderness, biodiversity, tall eucalypt forest, aesthetic values.

Proposal for a Minor Boundary Modification // For submission to the World Heritage Committee // 1 February 2013 23 Tasmanian

13 (top) Old growth rainforest, Dove River. Dennis Harding dennisharding.com.au Values: biodiversity, aesthetic values. 13 (bottom) Forests of the Great Western Tiers, on the north-eastern margin of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, extending below the top of the escarpment which is the current boundary of the World Heritage Area. Rob Blakers Values: biodiversity, tall eucalypt forest, aesthetic values. 14 –15 The Weld Valley, with the Weld River at the left. The current Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is in the far background, upstream of the forested skyline ridge in the centre of the photo. Tall eucalypt forest and rainforest in the foreground is proposed for addition to the property. Rob Blakers Values: integrity, wilderness, wild river, biodiversity, tall eucalypt forest, aesthetic values. 16 (top) String bog at Newdegate Pass, Mt Field National Park. Tim Rudman Values: biodiversity, aesthetic values. 16 (bottom) Mt Bridges, Lake Seal and Platypus Tarn, upper Broad River Valley, Mt Field National Park. Joe Shemesh Values: geodiversity (glaciation), aesthetic values. 17 (top left) A forest floor dwelling fungus, Cortinarius archeri, upper Florentine Valley. Alan Lesheim Values: biodiversity, aesthetic values. 17 (top right) Speleothem, Mole Creek karst area. Rolan Eberhard Values: geodiversity (karst), aesthetic values. 17 (bottom) Cave formations, Mole Creek karst area. Ross Anderson Values: integrity, geodiversity (karst), aesthetic values. 19 Frond of a young Batswing fern, Histiopteris incisa, upper Florentine Valley. Alan Lesheim Values: biodiversity, aesthetic values. 21 Spotted-tailed quoll, Dasyurus maculatus. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service Values: biodiversity, aesthetic values. Inside back cover Tall eucalypts (Eucalyptus obliqua) in the Picton Valley. Ted Mead Values: biodiversity, tall eucalypt forest, aesthetic values.

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