The Daintree Rainforest boasts an incredible region of biodiversity. As one of the oldest rainforests on the planet, it is home to a large majority of the country’s wildlife population.
It is a vital landscape for the Australian ecosystem, with many of the habitats within only found in this one region. However, over the years a number of factors have caused severe harm to this natural wonder, with urban development, tree cutting, climate change, and more all effecting the fragility of the Rainforest.
Fragmentation
The habitat of the Daintree Rainforest has gone through years of fragmentation caused by urban development, from residential development to clearing for farms. This stops animals and plants moving about, limiting the variety of the ecosystems and breeding populations in each rainforest section. A lot of the time, animals try to make their way to other sections of the rainforest by going over roads and fields. Which can lead to many being hit by cars or attacked by the local dogs. Overall, this leads to the entire region’s species becoming more vulnerable to extinction, particularly in the small, isolated pockets of the Daintree.
Climate change
By far one of the biggest threats to the Daintree Rainforest! As the temperatures rise worldwide, the increase in natural disasters and more all effects the Daintree’s survival. Over the years, many of the rare animals and plants found within have become extinct due to the harsh conditions of today’s world.
Introduced species of flora and fauna
Introduced species may not seem like a dire issue, but it has caused thousands of species of wildlife to become endangered or extinct throughout the world. Due to the rainforest’s old age and remote region, many of the animals and plants living within are not equipped to face invading factors. An alarming increase in the number of known weed species in the Daintree has occurred in the last decade, which kills out and disrupt the natural ecosystems. Foreign animals as well have caused harm, causing many antique and rare species to be wiped out altogether.
Related article: Which unique animals do you need to look out for in the Daintree Rainforest
Explore the Daintree Rainforest Tours
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2 Day Cape Tribulation & Atherton Tablelands Tour
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