We at SFS have done many exciting things during the past week. Last
Saturday we made a day trip to Eubanangee National Park, about two hours
away from the center by car. During the day trip we became familiar with the
characteristics of a lowland swamp. This swamp is an important part of the
Wet Tropics World Heritage Area because it is one of last pristine water
catchment areas in northern Queensland. The swamp is home to many wading
and nesting birds, along with many water-tolerant species of trees such as
Melaleuca, and many species of reptiles (including crocodiles!). The swamp is
especially important in the dry season when water becomes scarce in
surrounding areas.
On Sunday we made a day trip into Kuranda, a town approximately 45
minutes away, because every Sunday local markets burst into color and show
their wares. Also found in Kuranda is a beautiful butterfly sanctuary where one
can spend hours looking at the many different species flying around and feeding
on nectar. Many fresh fruits, such as jack fruit,, passion fruit, sour sops, and
custard apples (not at all like a regular apple!), can be found throughout the
market areas.
On Monday we made a day trip out to Gadgarra State Forest to become
familiar with tree plantations. We toured a few different sites, some planted
over 50 years ago, some planted two years ago. Arthur Wright from the
Department of Primary Industry introduced us to some of the concepts
associated with plantations, such as agroforestry, natural versus man-made
regeneration, and community forestry. It seems the way of the future lies in
planting many different species and thereby maintaining the diversity of plant
and animal life so unique to this area of Queensland and indeed the world.
On Tuesday we toured the local area under the direction of Col Robertson, a
local geologist who explained to us the natural history of this area. We saw
beautiful blue lakes, lush green cinder cones, volcanoes (luckily sleeping!),
water-filled craters, and the enormous Tinaroo Dam.
Just yesterday we spent the afternoon with Tony Irvine of the Commonwealth
Scientific Industry and Research Organization. Tony's main job is to look after
the local tropical rainforests. He showed us an area known as the Tolga Scrub.
The surrounding area was once entirely clear-cut, and this small area acts as a
very important nature reserve. Animals such as Flying Foxes (bats with a two
and a half foot wing span!), White Cockatoos, Pademelons, and Tree
Kangaroos can be found in the reserve.
Today we spent our entire morning on the farm of Barry Thurling, a very
unconventional farmer who has made giant strides in the area of mixing
farmland with forest. Barry gave us a tour of his 300 acres and pointed out
some of his successful experimental plots and some of his failures. His work is
important because someone must be the first to try new steps to maintain local
biological diversity, and he has been leading the way for the past twenty years.
Barry was exceptionally generous with his fruit (mmm!), and after the tour he
took us to a local creek where we spent a few hours swimming, kayaking, and
canoeing. What a week!
In my short stay in the rainforest, I have learned and seen many new and
interesting things. One of the most amazing things that I learned is that
practically everything that I see around me, whether it be lawns or buildings,
used to be rainforest. Most of this land was clear cut. Some was used to make
houses, farms or towns. While some of the forest was just used to get timber.
The remaining rainforest that is left was made into a World Heritage Area,
which means that it must be conserved for the presence of its wildlife values,
primitive species and scientific values. As a result of this, this area can no longer
be logged. Even though, it is important to conserve the rainforest, it is still
important that the people who made their living off of the rainforest, still have a
way to earn money. This week we saw some plantations outside of the World
Heritage Area, used for logging.
Conservation comes in different forms. Another place that we visited this week
was a swamp. Unfortunately while we were there, we saw no crocodiles. This
swamp was one of the biggest of such areas. The swamp is something that is
important to conserve for the same reasons; however, if it is left to progress
naturally the land will eventually become a rainforest and the swamp will be lost
to us. Thus, in order to maintain the swamp the area is burned every couple of
years so that it cannot progress to rainforest, but rather will stay as a swamp.
One step beyond conservation that I have witnessed and been a part of since I
have been here is reforestation, replanting rainforest in an area that has been
clear cut. Another part of reforestation that I learned is techniques for
monitoring the progress of the area planted. This information is not only useful
for the area that is being surveyed, but it acts as guidelines for future
reforestation efforts. This week we saw a Tolga swamp, which had been
greatly effected by logging. Many areas are in need of reforestation, but it takes
a lot of help and support from the community.
