August 25: Restoring Lowland Subtropical Rainforest after the 2019 Bushfire Season- Paul Donatiu, (Healthy Land & Water)

Paul Donatiu from Healthy Land and Water (HLW) is the guest speaker at Friday Environment Forum on August 25 when he will discuss the restoration of lowland subtropical rainforest following the 2019 bushfires. 

Large components of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area in Southeast Queensland were affected by fires in late 2019, damaging critically endangered lowland subtropical rainforest, opening-up forest canopies, and allowing weeds to become established. These areas provide habitat for many listed flora species and listed communities. Post-fire, there was significant evidence of natural regeneration – both resprouting (basal, stem and root) and germination from seed (from established soil seed banks). 

After the fires in Lamington National Park, the HLW team assessed how rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest species responded to wildfire.  93% of surveyed species resprouted, 5% regenerated from seed, and 2% were killed outright.  Furthermore, almost 50% of those species resprouting are successionally advanced Mature Phase species, providing compelling evidence of rainforest diversity, recovery, and resilience post fire.  

Everyone is welcome at the Noosa Parks Association Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville on August 25 to hear Mr Donatiu answer questions about the capacity of rainforest and wet sclerophyll flora to deal with fire events of varying intensity. The forum starts at 10:30am and morning tea is available at 10-10.25am. Entry is $5 by “tap & go” at the door which includes morning tea/coffee. 

Join the bird observers at 8.30am in the carpark for interpretive birding.