Tropical Topics An interpretive newsletter for the tourism industry

Wet forests No. 69 September 2001 Birds lose ground as forests vanish Notes from the Some eastern yellow robins are having trouble finding food. This species inhabits eastern and south-eastern Editor Australia, but those in the Wet Tropics, cut off from the rest by a dry corridor (the Burdekin Gap), appear to be evolving Just as the Great Barrier Reef World separately and are recognised as a distinct sub-species. Heritage Area is associated with coral reefs, so the Wet Tropics These eastern yellow robins in the sub-species, World Heritage Area is associated north frequent the tall open forests distinct from Eastern yellow robin with rainforest. However, this is not known as wet sclerophyll – a narrow those elsewhere the complete picture. Coral reefs band of forest which exists between in Australia, rely particularly make up only 6 percent of the GBR rainforest and dry sclerophyll (see heavily on flowering . In WHA – many more diverse page 2). They find much of their food north Queensland, the stronghold of ecosystems are also included (see by clinging sideways to a trunk, a banksias (notably aquilonia) Tropical Topics 66). Similarly, metre or so above the ground, and is the wet sclerophyll zone. However, although rainforest covers a larger plunging down when they spot they are unable to regenerate in proportion of the WT WHA, as something good to eat – usually an rainforest and eventually disappear as much as a third of the Area is insect. For this strategy to be it invades. White-cheeked composed of non-rainforest successful they need to have a clear honeyeaters are also losing ground. vegetation types. This Tropical view of the ground – but undergrowth Topics is the first in an occasional is getting in the way. White-naped honeyeaters in north series on vegetation types outside Queensland are largely restricted to the rainforest. The wet sclerophyll is in danger of wet sclerophyll forest although they being swallowed up by its neighbour. are found in dry sclerophyll elsewhere Wet sclerophyll forest is fairly In just 50 years, approximately half of in Australia. Feeding on eucalyptus abundant in south-eastern this limited forest type has been nectar, they are at risk of losing their Australia, but in the north it is invaded by rainforest. These , food source if rainforest prevents restricted in area. Situated in the shrubs and vines form a dense these trees from growing. tropics it has a special character understorey in place of the normal with some special inhabitants. open grassy floor, concealing the Even rainforest birds depend on wet eastern yellow robins’ food. Eastern sclerophyll forests on a seasonal yellow robins do not frequent those basis. Bridled honeyeaters, for I would like to thank Rupert Russell, sections of wet sclerophyll forest example, feed on banksias in winter. QPWS, Daryn Storch, QPWS, and where rainforest has invaded – so as Angie Chapman for their valuable the rainforest front advances, the Much of this information came to light help with this issue. robins’ habitat shrinks. when Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Rainforest researcher Angie Please note White-throated treecreepers are Chapman did a study of birds in the that you are welcome to photocopy similarly affected since their feeding wet sclerophyll forests. She found a Tropical Topics. However, if the strategy (see page 5) also requires a total of 100 species using the forest, at text is reproduced separately it must clear view of the tree trunks. Both least some of the time. One third of not be altered and must mature rainforest and uninvaded wet these are either endemic to the Wet acknowledge the Environmental sclerophyll provide suitable Tropics, or recognised as sub-species, Protection Agency as the source. conditions but these birds tend to distinct from those elsewhere in Illustrations must not be reused avoid invaded wet sclerophyll where Australia. While only a few are wet separately without permission. their view is obscured. sclerophyll specialists, it would seem Please contact the editor (details on that many use this rare forest type on the back page) if in doubt. White-cheeked honeyeaters depend a seasonal basis. Many bird species largely on nectar for food. Those in will be losers if the wet sclerophyll the Wet Tropics, also recognised as a forests disappear. Wet sclerophyll and the rainforest invasion Although tall open woodlands cover fairly large areas elsewhere in Australia, in the Wet Tropics they are limited to a narrow, broken strip, 400km long, bordering the western side of the rainforest. Situated above 600m, this strip is 4km wide at most but often it extends for just a few metres – the accompanying map necessarily exaggerates its extent in places. Known as the wet sclerophyll, this forest type needs a wetter climate than the adjacent dry sclerophyll, but is characterised by the presence of eucalypts and other sclerophyllous .

The wet nature of the terrain occupied by wet sclerophyll is also suitable for rainforest – and rainforest is moving in. In many areas tall eucalypts, typical of wet sclerophyll forests, can be found towering above a younger rainforest understorey. Since the seeds of these eucalypts rarely germinate and seedlings do not thrive in the shady conditions created by the rainforest, there are no saplings coming up to replace their elders. It is therefore apparent that a change in vegetation type, from wet sclerophyll to rainforest, is taking place. CSIRO

There has been no significant change in rainfall patterns to trigger this change. It is thought that in the past, fires sweeping in periodically from the dry sclerophyll forests further west kept the rainforest at bay. A change in burning regimes and fuel loads since the arrival of Europeans and the disruption of traditional Aboriginal land management practices is thought to be responsible.

Banksia aquilonia flowers provide nectar for many wet sclerophyll animals. Fire and wet sclerophyll trees Sclerophyllous trees are adapted to fire. They often have thick fire-resistant bark but, in the event of serious damage, many are able to produce new shoots from under the bark or from the roots (lignotubers). These forests are prone to fire because their open canopies allow grass to grow below, their and twigs have inflammable oils and the abundant litter they produce burns easily. Rainforest, on the other hand, is relatively fire-resistant, but if it does burn, maybe on dry margins or disturbed sites, it is easily damaged. Wet sclerophyll trees – between the two – are ambivalent about fire.

Rose gums (Eucalyptus Red stringybark trees (E. grandis), the most typical of resinifera) are similar in many wet sclerophyll trees in north ways, with ash beds formed Queensland, are quite fire- after fire giving the young resistant over the age of about seedlings a good start in ten, although successive burns life. However, unlike the weaken and eventually penetrate rose gum, this tree has a the hollow trunks which develop in typically sclerophyll trick most mature trees. Fire also stimulates up its sleeve; it is able to germination. Some seeds sprout in the resprout from lignotubers if absence of fire (it is not required to release the top is burnt off. Although seed from capsules as is the case for many saplings are vulnerable, as an eucalypts) but a good burn – the hotter the adult this tree is fire resistant. better – greatly increases germination rates. Since dense undergrowth of rainforest shrubs, which grow in the absence of fire, inhibits germination, fire would appear to be Rose sheoak (Allocasuarina essential for these trees. On the other hand, torulosa) trees are often destroyed seedlings and saplings are vulnerable to fire. by fire, but frequently occur So this is a contradictory tree. Mass in clumps where the germination may follow fire, but, without a accumulation of lignotuber, young trees need a fire-free dropped needles period to become established. On the other suppresses the hand, fire is needed to keep the undergrowth growth of grasses, from smothering them. It would seem that the thereby reducing the intervals between fires in rose gum forests occurrence of fire. Rose are a critical factor for their survival. These trees do not sheoak occur within rainforest – they are unable to grow in shade. On the Rose gum Red other hand, their dense carpet of needles stringybark may stop potential rainforest invaders from germinating.

2 Bettongs, fungi and beagles Where are the bettongs? It seems that two apparently unlikely factors are the key to bettong distribution – infertile soils and fire.

Studies have shown that distributions of northern bettongs their part in maintaining this useful relationship by are closely related to the poor, infertile soils derived from dispersing the spores from the truffles in their droppings. granite and metamorphic rock. This is in contrast to many These are not destroyed in the animal’s digestive tract. In other animals which do best on the better quality leaves and fact germination prospects are probably enhanced. fruit produced on fertile basalt soils (see Tropical Topics 63). In the case of bettongs, however, infertile soils – Fire plays another part in this complex relationship. Studies particularly those which are low in phosphorus – mean more have shown that there is a sharp increase in truffle food. production after fires. This means that bettongs are restricted to those forest areas where fire is still possible, The reason can be found by looking at ecosystem links. The not those which have been invaded by rainforest. trees which live in these nutrient-poor soils are particularly dependent on the contribution made by certain soil fungi. Since truffles are vital to the bettongs, their presence is seen These organisms, known as mycorrhizas and as the key to the survival of this endangered animal. ectomycorrhizas, wrap themselves around the tree roots. Researchers involved in the bettong recovery program have They feed on sugars produced by the trees but also make turned to beagles for help. Using trained truffle-sniffing an important contribution to their host. With a network of hounds they have been searching for suitable habitat for filaments extending throughout the soil, they gather water, the reintroduction of northern bettongs which have been nitrogen and phosphorus and feed them into the tree bred in captivity. Since northern bettongs currently occupy roots. The relationship works well, benefiting both only a fraction of their former range, it is hoped that parties in difficult environments. recolonisations could prevent their slide into extinction. The bettongs, in their turn, feed on the underground fruiting bodies of the fungi – Where are the bettongs? truffles. Since trees growing The distribution of northern bettongs is limited. They are on poor soils are in most found only in north Queensland, in a number of small need of fungal pockets. Until recently they were known only from assistance, it stands to patches on the Lamb Range, west of Cairns, in the reason that fungi, and vicinity of Davies Creek National Park and Tinaroo Dam, therefore truffles, are as well as on Mt Windsor and the Carbine Tablelands. more abundant in these However, more have been discovered fairly recently in areas. Bettongs play the vicinity of Paluma and Ravenshoe. These animals have been turning up in quite good numbers in drier sclerophyll forest thus extending the known range slightly. Ten types of wet sclerophyll Wet sclerophyll forest is not a uniform forest type – indeed researchers* have identified 10 different variations in north Queensland. There are two main types. One, which generally fringes the rainforest rainforest suggests that even established trees die when boundary, is dominated by rose gums, otherwise invasion occurs. known as flooded gums (Eucalyptus grandis) (left). These tall moisture-loving trees frequent the ridge Most of the other types of forests identified in this study tops and valleys, usually creating over half the canopy are either variations on these two types, with degrees of cover. However, since the canopy produced by these trees rainforest invasion, or are drier sclerophyll types. These is relatively thin, allowing plenty of light to reach the forest latter types occur in areas which are too dry for rainforest to floor, grasses are able to grow below these trees. Grasses invade. carry fire, killing off rainforest seedlings, creating ideal conditions for the germination of more rose gums and thus *See Bookshelf page 8. perpetuating this forest type. In the absence of fire, however, this forest is most vulnerable to rainforest Threats to wet sclerophyll invasion. In addition to the effects of rainforest invasion, wet sclerophyll forests have suffered from a number of other Another main type of wet sclerophyll forest impacts. There has been intensive logging of those may include rose gums but is not forests which are outside the Wet Tropics World Heritage dominated by them. Common species here Area. The fashion for pole homes has led to heavy are red stringybark (E. resinifera) (right), logging of the tall straight turpentine trees which have forest redgum (E. tereticornis), red the added advantage of being termite-resistant. Red bloodwood (), white stringybark and rose gum, those stalwarts of wet stringybark (E. reducta) and turpentine sclerophyll forests, have also been targetted. (Syncarpia glomulifera). This type of forest may have a grassy forest floor or a sclerophyll Collection of firewood for domestic stoves also affects the understorey, which is less flammable. Although it forest and its inhabitants. It removes nutrients from what is often separated from rainforest by the rose gum is often a nutrient-poor situation and reduces fuel for fires forest type (above) and probably occurs in slightly which would serve to keep the rainforest intrusion at bay. drier areas, it is nonetheless vulnerable to Fuel collection also leads to a loss of shelter and nesting rainforest invasion. The fact that these trees are sites for animals such as bettongs which like to build their never found standing in well-developed nests next to fallen logs.

3 In the wet sclerophyll Some plants and animals are found only in wet sclerophyll forests while others are frequentvisitors.

Red stringybark Fluffy gliders in north Queensland are found (Eucalyptus resinifera) (right) is only in wet sclerophyll forests. Like so many one of the most significant trees animals found in this particular habitat, they have found in wet sclerophyll. A tall close relatives in similar habitat further south tree, reaching up to 45m in (southern Queensland to Victoria) but have been height on a straight trunk, it has isolated from the main population long a rough fibrous bark. The sap of enough to become a sub-species. Elsewhere this eucalypt is a major food in Australia, fluffy gliders may feed from over source for fluffy gliders. At night 20 different tree species, but those in north they bite out small patches of Queensland eat sap only from red stringybark bark on the trunk and branches, trees. licking up the sugary sap which oozes out. 0 5cm The fluffy glider, named for its particularly long bushy A popular tree may tail, is also known as the yellow-bellied glider – although become quite the belly fur is white in younger animals, turning cream scarred from use. and yellow with age. In north Queensland these gliders rarely, if ever, have the bright yellow bellies of their Fluffy gliders do not Old calloused southern counterparts. Fluffy gliders carry leaves in their coiled have this sap to sap scar tails to line their dens, made in hollows in living rose gum trees. These dens are themselves. Feathertail shared by some or all members of a group, generally consisting of one male, gliders, sugar gliders, striped Sap scars with up to five females and juveniles. Members of a group frequently exchange possums, common brushtail scents produced from glands on the top of the head and on the underside of possums and yellow-footed the base of the tail. This is done during a head-to-tail manoeuvre, the animals antechinus often take advantage of most junior rank in the group doing most of the head to tail rubbing and the of the work done by the fluffy dominant male having his tail rubbed. gliders.

During the day, other animals tap Smaller than a house into the rich source of mouse, the feathertail carbohydrate provided by red glider zips around with stringybarks. Up to 16 species of astonishing agility and birds feed on the sap or eat speed, feeding on nectar insects which have from blossoms, small insects been attracted to and tree sap where larger the sap. White- animals have done the cheeked honeyeaters excavation work. Gliding up to 20m or more, these delightful little animals use (left), those nectar- both a flap which stretches from elbow to knee and their wide, flattened tails. loving birds which feed Their aptly named tails have little fur on the top and bottom, but long stiff hairs on banksias, are among the on the sides. They are used to steer, balance and anchor the owner. stringybark’s greatest devotees. Gecko-like pads on their toes, with fine grooves, allow them to However, a number of other cling to vertical surfaces, including glass. honeyeaters as well as several parrot species – crimson rosellas are frequent visitors – and even Brushtail possums are fond of visiting sap-producing satin bowerbirds, pied sites on stringybark trees. Unlike the gliders which are able currawongs and Victoria’s to hang upside-down to feed from the sap, and thus avoid riflebirds, have been seen gluing up their fur, these heavier animals must feed right feeding on the sap. way up and thus approach this sticky feed from below and to the side. Brushtail possums are widespread throughout Forest banksia Australia with one form, the coppery brushtail, living in (Banksia aquilonia) is a upland rainforest. It is the common brushtails, however, of the wet which frequent wet sclerophyll. sclerophyll woodlands. It grows to 15m in height and has lemon-yellow The northern bettong (Bettongia tropica) is found in the tall and flowers, particularly in medium tall grassy forests closely associated with wet sclerophyll. autumn and winter. Most Occurring in only a limited number of pockets in north Queensland, this banksias retain mature endangered little rat-kangaroo is pale grey above with cream on the belly seeds until a passing fire and a short, black brush on the tip of its tail. Adults are a little smaller than melts the resin in the the average rabbit. cones which holds the seed-bearing follicles Northern bettongs depend largely on truffles, the fruiting bodies of closed. This banksia, underground fungi, for food, using the strong claws on their forefeet to however, releases them as dig them up. Truffles are not generally a good source of soon as they are mature. Forest nutrients for mammals but bettongs have banksia flowers produce a developed a strategy for using them. Special generous amount of nectar bacteria in one part of the bettong’s stomach which is an important consume the fungi. These bacteria and their food source for many by-products are then digested by another birds and other part of the stomach, providing a balanced diet. animals. (See page 7 for more on northern bettongs.)

4 Sugar gliders have a much wider distribution than fluffy gliders, ranging through open forests from Broome, in Western Australia, right around the country in an arc to Victoria and Tasmania and into south-eastern South Australia. They occur in both dense forest – even rainforest occasionally – and in drier areas where trees Rose gums, otherwise are more widely spaced. They are able to glide known as flooded gums from one tree to another using an extendable (Eucalyptus grandis) (left) flap which extends from the fifth finger to the typify areas of wet first toe on each side. Stretched wide when the sclerophyll. Growing to 55m, animal jumps, this can carry it for at least 50m. and even 75m, they have a smooth trunk with peeling strips of bark These gliders are often seen feeding alongside fluffy and a solid bark ‘sock’. They can gliders at the sap on stringybark trees but also eat gum live for three hundred years or from other eucalypts and acacias as well as some more. Where they occur in NSW invertebrates. In addition, they visit eucalypt, banksia, and even these trees may grow at sea level, grass tree flowers to feed on nectar. Sugar gliders are sociable animals but those in north Queensland with up to seven sharing a den, usually in a tree hole. prefer to be above 500m. They like abundant water in a well-drained The greater glider – the largest of all gliders site, growing in valleys and on – feeds almost exclusively on eucalypt ridges where they can indulge in leaves. Indeed, it is thought that it may ‘cloud-stripping’ – filtering have evolved separately from other moisture from passing clouds with gliders, sharing origins with the ringtail their leaves. possums which are also -eaters. Like the koala, it has an enlarged gut where Rose gums are excellent trees bacteria break down the normally for dens. They are often hollow indigestible cellulose. The greater glider and when the branches break occupies a variety of open eucalypt off, having grown at right angles forests, including wet sclerophyll, to the trunk, they provide throughout much of eastern Australia. Those excellent hollows for gliders, animals found in north Queensland belong to a possums, owls and parrots. Their distinctly smaller sub-species which may eventually be blossoms provide nectar for regarded as a distinct species. honeyeaters, lorikeets and gliders while insects, many of Greater gliders are very variable in colour with fur ranging from which shelter under the lifting dark brown and grey to cream and even white, but northern bark, are eaten by a range of individuals are generally dark. This animal can glide up to 100m animals, including fluffy gliders. in one ‘flight’, changing direction if necessary and finally directing itself upwards to lose speed and land on its planned destination. Since the gliding flap is attached to its elbow, it glides with its elbows stuck out and The local subspecies of the its paws tucked under its chin. white-throated treecreeper found in the Wet Tropics is smaller and darker than those Southern brown bandicoots found in south-eastern Researchers studying northern bettongs on the Lamb Range, west of Australia. These birds are Cairns, frequently find bandicoots in their traps. Since these are not target found in upland rainforest animals, the bandicoots used to be released with little further thought. and in open wet sclerophyll. However, it came to their attention that some of the bandicoots were They feed by flying to a tree somewhat smaller than the common northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon trunk and working their way macrourus) which is what they had assumed they were catching. These up, exploring cracks and bandicoots had pale, hairy tails and a pale lower jaw, giving the crevices for food. They appearance of a white lip. A closer look led the researchers to believe that then fly to another tree they may have captured something much more unusual. Genetic tests where they repeat eventually revealed that the animals were, in fact, related to the southern their upward, brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus). Various sub-species of this often bandicoot are found in south-east and south-west Australia, and in spiralling, Tasmania, with a very isolated population at the top of Cape York search. Peninsula. Tests have shown that the Lamb Range bandicoots are the same as the Cape York ones and together they have been nominated as a new species (Isoodon peninsulae). Possibly the population once covered a much larger area.

This population of southern brown bandicoots appears to inhabit the same area as the northern bettongs. Elsewhere in Australia they are known to favour habitats which are burnt from time to time. During the early stages of regeneration, the growing vegetation supports abundant White-throated insect food, as well as new roots and treecreeper shoots, which the animals find by digging conical holes with strong foreclaws.

5 Questions & Answers Facts and stats Q In the Northern Territory, are likely to inhabit leaf litter, making It is estimated that wet sclerophyll permits allowed for estuarine them that much more difficult to find. forests and woodlands cover 54 000ha crocodiles to be hunted, and are The six species in the Wet Tropics in the wet tropics region with 37 000ha there numbers such to allow for this belong to three genera (one of these (about 68 percent) within the Wet activity? genera is represented by four Tropics World Heritage Area. A species). Maps showing the location comparison of maps from the 1940s A People can get permits to harvest of these genera can be found in the with those of recent times has shown a crocs in the Northern Territory but paper: A. Reid 1996: Review of the 50 percent loss of this forest type in only on private land, not crown land. Peripatopsidae (Onychophora) in just 50 years, due to rainforest Landowners (Aboriginal and non- Australia with comments on invasion. This figure rises to 70 Aboriginal) can apply to the Wildlife peripatopsid relationships. percent for rose gum forest. There are Commission of the Northern Territory Invertebrate Vol. 10 No. nearly one million hectares of for a permit to harvest crocs and the 4 pages 663-936. If you would like rainforest within the wet tropics. Commission decides on an copies of the maps contact the editor appropriate number for that particular – details on page 8. The word sclerophyll is derived from permit based on knowledge of the Greek skleros meaning hard and population sizes. Undoubtedly more searching will phullon meaning leaf. Sclerophyll reveal many more peripatus species. plants characteristically have small, Acknowledgments to Dr Simon In addition, genetic studies are tough, dry leaves with a thick, Stirrat, Parks and Wildlife showing that animals which, on the leathery outer layer and sunken Commission of the Northern Territory basis of appearance, were thought to stomata, or breathing cells. The belong to one single species in fact leaves also contain tannins, resins Q How many species of velvet worms represent several species. DNA from and essential oils. – peripatus – are found in the Wet individuals living just 10 kilometres Tropics? Is there a distribution apart in a NSW forest showed that Greater gliders are approximately 100 map? there were differences as great as times heavier than feathertail gliders. those between a bee and a fly. The weight of an adult greater glider A Six species have been identified varies from 900g to 1700g, with those from the Wet Tropics. Another one Peripatus are often referred to as in the north weighing in on the lower has been recorded in the vicinity of ‘living fossils’. Although soft and end of the scale. Adult feathertail Iron Range, a further one found near worm-like, with many-segmented gliders weigh just about 10-14g. Fluffy Bowen, another two in the Mackay bodies, they also have walking legs, gliders are large, weighing, on average, area and another two inland from antennae and a breathing system like between 450g and 700g. Sugar gliders Gladstone. However, records are that of insects. They seem to are relatively small weighing just 10 patchy, generally reflecting the areas represent an ancient link between the times more than feathertail gliders – which have been searched. two groups. They also have an the average adult is between 115g and Elsewhere in Australia these little interesting sex life. Some males 140g. By comparison, brushtail creatures are usually found in damp inseminate females directly through possums can weigh up to 4500g, rotting logs. However, in our wet the skin while others, with a more up although some adults tip the scales at climate they can live almost front approach, carry their sperm on just 1500g, which is slightly lighter anywhere damp enough and possibly their heads – and mate head first! than the heaviest greater glider. avoid rotting logs which may get too wet for them. Our peripatus are more For more information there is an At least 40 species of truffles are interesting article in Nature eaten by northern bettongs, making Australia, Vol 27 No 1 Winter up between 30 and 70 percent of their 2001: Tales of the Unexpected diet. In addition, grass roots, herbs by Paul Sunnucks and Noel Tait. and lilies are eaten. Many of these store energy in the stem – the part Acknowledgments to Noel Tait targeted by the bettongs. A very few Peripatus of Macquarie University for his seeds, fruits and invertebrates are help with this answer. also eaten. Australia consumes approximately 6.1 million tonnes of firewood a year, which is just slightly less than the 6.4 Tourist talk million tonnes consumed for woodchips. Most of the firewood ENGLISH GERMAN JAPANESE comes from woodlands and this truffles Trüffel torifu activity is listed ninth on the table of threats in the Action Plan for hollow Baumhöhle kubomi Australian Birds. Loss of nest sites to bite beißen kamitsuku and foraging habitat are the main sap Saft jueki problems. scar Narbe kizuato In addition to the northern bettong to glide segeln kakku suru there are four other types of bettongs nectar Segler hana no mitsu in Australia. These are the rufous undergrowth Nektar yabu bettong, which is reasonably common in north Queensland, the brush-tailed invasion Unterholz shinnyu bettong, the Tasmanian bettong and fire Feuer kaji the burrowing bettong.

6 Out and about Spring brings blossom to many The colourful Courting azure trees. Two particularly pods of the kingfishers may appear impressive ones are the fish peanut trees as flashes of blue zig- poison tree (Barringtonia (Sterculia zagging along streams and racemosa) and the cassowary quadrifida) rivers as they prepare to pine (B. calyptrata), appear at this produce the next generation. The nest otherwise known as the time of year, is built in a chamber at the end of a mango pine (left). when the tree has one-metre tunnel which both sexes White flowers cluster often lost many of its help to excavate into the stream bank. densely on long plumes leaves. Clustered on the This chamber is lined with fish scales, up to 40cm in length. branches, the pods are bones and crustacean shells and four Looking like white bushy scarlet when ripe. Each opens to reveal to seven rounded white eggs are laid. tails these racemes, as several satiny blue-black seeds which This is a common type of egg for birds they are known contrast sharply with the bright red nesting in holes. They do not need to botanically, hang in interior of the pod. The seeds, which be pointed because they are not going profusion from the branches have a flavour similar to peanuts, can to roll away and the white colour of these trees attracting be eaten either raw or roasted. makes them visible to the parent birds lorikeets and other nectar- in the gloomy chamber. loving birds. Growing to less than 10m This plant has many traditional uses. in height these trees are good feature Apart from the edible seeds, the inner This lovely bird lives up to its name. It specimens for resorts where their bark can be used to make string and is indeed a most glorious colour of unusual and spectacular flowers add a the leaves used in cooking. They are blue (the word azure is derived from uniquely local flavour. also applied to various wounds, the Persian word for the semi-precious including those of stonefish and stone lapis lazuli) and unlike many The large glossy leaves which stingrays, while an infusion from the other kingfishers which feed on land, it resemble those of the mango tree have bark is used for sore eyes. frequents streams and rivers, perching earned the mango pine its common above the water and diving down name. However, this native tree does This plant belongs to the same family, when a suitable fish appears. It also not grow to be nearly as big as a Sterculiaceae, as the flame tree and eats crustaceans and aquatic insects. mango tree. The fish poison tree is kurrajongs. The name comes from named because it is one of over 30 Sterculius, the Roman god of plant species used traditionally to kill manure heaps! This is Sarsaparilla trees fish. The bark is pounded and put into because some other plants in (left), also known as a pool or dammed water body where it this family have foul- pink and white ash interferes with the ability of the fish to smelling leaves and (Alphitonia petriei), breathe. The stupefied fish rise to the flowers. cover themselves surface where they are easily caught. Acknowledgments to with blossom in Australian Rainforest springtime, the Plants II by Nan and nectar and pollen Hugh Nicholson. attracting many birds and insects. This pioneer species is extremely fast growing, but relatively A pair of peregrine falcons, with short-lived. It is one of the an eye for a view, have become proud first species to establish itself in parents on the window ledge of the disturbed areas and is common along penthouse suite on the 14th floor of the roadsides and other forest edges. Matson Resort in Cairns. Chicks have hatched from the four eggs which the The leaves of this tree are silvery- female laid about a month before. With white on the underside, the tree a perfect bird’s eye view of the glowing distinctively when lit from Esplanade and Trinity Bay the parents underneath by a spotlight at night. are in an ideal position to spot These leaves are often chosen by potential food for their brood in the tooth-billed bowerbirds to decorate Do you know where platypuses are form of pigeons and lorikeets. their performing spaces and they are living? This information would be an important food source for Herbert greatly appreciated by organisers of river ringtail possums and Lumholtz the Great Queensland Platypus Search. tree-kangaroos. They are also a food This statewide project aims to build up The 9th Ecotourism Association of source for the caterpillars of the small a picture of platypus populations, their Australia Conference green-banded blue butterfly and eight habitat range and how they might be When: 23-26 October species of moths. When crushed, the affected by environmental issues such Place: Rottnest Island WA leaves, as well as the bark, smell like as poor water quality, degraded More information: Tony Charters sarsaparilla. riparian habitat and alterations to (Conference Convenor) Ecotourism waterways. If you would like to Association of Australia, PO Box About six months after flowering, dull contribute news of platypus sightings, 328, Brisbane QLD 4001. Tel: (07) black globular fruits, each about 1.5cm please contact Keith Smith at QPWS 3535 5493; Fax: (07) 3535 5445; E- across, appear. These attract on (07) 4091 7763, or via e-mail: mail: [email protected] numerous birds including superb fruit- [email protected] Website: www.ecotourism.org.au doves, Victoria’s riflebirds, king parrots and crimson rosellas.

7 Bookshelf *Vegetation changes at the rainforest/ mycophagist Sap suckers: a novel bird ‘guild’ in wet wet sclerophyll forest boundary in the C.N. Johnson and A.P. McIlwee sclerophyll forests of tropical north Wet Tropics of north Queensland 1940s- Queensland 1990s. A distributional survey and habitat model Angela Chapman, Matt G. Bradford and G.N. Harrington and K.D. Sanderson for the endangered northern bettong Conrad J. Hoskin CSIRO (1993) (Bettongia tropica) in tropical Queensland William F. Laurance Forest Trees of Australia CRC Rainforest leaflets: QDEH (1996) D.J. Boland et al Fire in the Margin CSIRO (1992) Graham Harrington, Peter Stanton, Steve Nature Australia Vol 26 No 6 Spring 1999 Skull, Tony Irvine and Rupert Russell Northern bettong Spotlight on Possums Trial by fire. Survival of the northern Allen McIlwee Rupert Russell bettong University of Queensland Press (1980) January 2000 Pacific Conservation Biology Vol 3: pp213- Northeast Queensland’s endangered 220 Complete Book of Australian Mammals wet sclerophyll forests for the birds? Responses by birds to fire regime and Ronald Strahan November 1998 vegetation at the wet sclerophyll/tropical Cornstalk Publishing (1991) rainforest boundary Wildlife Research 1997, 24, 549-559 Angela Chapman and Graham N. Harrington CSIRO Australia (1997) Surrey Beatty & Sons (1997) Ecology of the northern bettong (Bettongia tropica) a tropical EMU vol 99, 1999 pp127-130

This newsletter was produced by the Environmental Protection Agency with joint funding from the Wet Tropics Management Authority and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. For further information contact... Opinions expressed in Tropical Stella Martin Wet Tropics Management Authority Topics are not necessarily those of The Editor (For general information on the Wet the Environmental Protection Tropical Topics Tropics World Heritage Area only.) Agency. PO Box 2050 Environmental Protection Agency CAIRNS QLD 4870 PO Box 2066 While all efforts have been made to Ph: (07) 4052 0555 verify facts, the Environmental (5B Sheridan St) CAIRNS QLD 4870 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Protection Agency takes no Authority responsibility for the accuracy of PO Box 1379 information supplied in Tropical Ph: (07) 4046 6674 TOWNSVILLE QLD 4810 Topics. Fax: (07) 4046 6751 Ph: (07) 4750 0700 © The State of Queensland. e-mail: [email protected] Environmental Protection Agency 2001.

The Marine Animal Hotline number is 1300 360898 Please call urgently to report injured, stranded or dead dugongs as well as dolphins, whales and marine turtles

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