Mapping to underpin management of tropical littoral rainforest

This project has produced fine-resolution mapping of the location of the critically endangered Littoral Rainforest & Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia community between Townsville and Cooktown (Wet Tropics bioregion) and examined the current and projected future threats to its persistence and condition from the impacts of sea-level rise, storm surge and extreme weather events.

The project has extended the CSIRO mapping methodology that was piloted in the Mission Beach area to identify potential littoral rainforest consistent with the listing advice for the Wet tropics bioregion. Fine-scale terrain and hydrology models has identified those areas that are most exposed to the effects of storm-surge, inundation and sea-level rise and characterised areas at greatest risk from extreme events. Adaptation pathways for littoral rainforest in the face of climate change are considered in management options.

• Fine resolution mapping of Littoral rainforest across the bioregion;
• A methodology for identifying and mapping Littoral rainforest that is broadly applicable to other significant areas of the community recognised under the EPBC Act listing advice, viz. Cape York (Cooktown to Princess Charlotte Bay); Queensland’s southern tropics (Townsville to Mackay), South-east Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria;
• Mapping of current and projected storm surge and inundation associated with extreme events, and projected sea-level rise across the study area;
• Identification of management options and adaptation pathways for continued provision of ecosystem services from Littoral rainforest in the face of existing and projected impacts.

Wet tropics, Queensland from Townsville to Cooktown.