Pre-clearing vegetation of the coastal lowlands of the Wet Tropics Bioregion, North Queensland J. E. Kemp1, R. J., Lovatt1, J. C. Bahr1, C. P. Kahler2, and C. N. Appelman1 1Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, PO Box 5391, Townsville, QLD 4810 AUSTRALIA. Email address:
[email protected] 216 Esk St, Rowes Bay, Townsville, QLD 4810 AUSTRALIA Abstract: A pre-clearing vegetation map and digital coverage at approximately 1:50 000 scale for the coastal lowlands (up to about 200 m elevation) of the Wet Tropics Bioregion, North Queensland is presented. The study area covers about 508 000 ha from Cooktown, 420 km south almost to Townsville (latitude 15° 30’–18° 20’ longitude 144° 50’–146° 40’). Data sources included historical aerial photography, early surveyors’ plans, explorers’ journals, previous vegetation maps, and maps of soils and geology. The pre-clearing mapping was built around the remnant vegetation mapping of Stanton & Stanton (2005), and the vegetation classification of this latter work was adopted. Vegetation units were further classified into regional ecosystems compatible with the standard State-wide system used by Queensland government. The digital coverage is part of the current Queensland Herbarium regional ecosystem coverage (Queensland Herbarium and Wet Tropics Management Authority 2005). Coloured maps (1:100 000 scale) of the pre-clearing vegetation of the Herbert, Tully, Innisfail and Macalister/Daintree subregions are on an accompanying CD-ROM. An evaluation of vegetation loss through clearing on the coastal lowlands of the Wet Tropics revealed several near- extinct vegetation communities and regional ecosystems, and many others that are drastically reduced in area.