The Effects of Climate Change on Australian Tropical Rainforests

1. The Effects of Climate Change on Australian Tropical Rainforests By Emma Hooper and Cassandra Gillard

2. About Australia’s Tropical Rainforests The tropical rainforests of Australia are beautiful tourist attractions, boasting many rare plants and animals found in no other Australian ecosystems. Australian tropical rainforests receive at least 1.3m of rain per year, an incredible amount. This is why they are so lush and green and are able to support many species of animals that temperate rainforests can’t. The Daintree rainforest is Australia’s main tropical rainforest.

3. Flora Found in Australian Tropical Rainforests Australian tropical rainforests are home to many amazing and unique plants; in fact, the Daintree rainforest contains 12 of the 19 primitive plant families found on Earth. In Australia’s tropical rainforests, you can find: • 65% of Australia’s ferns • 21% of Australia’s cycads • 37% of Australia’s conifers • 30% of Australia’s orchid species.

4. Fauna found in Australian Tropical Rainforests The range of animals found in Australia’s tropical rainforests is incredibly huge. In these rainforests, you can find: • 36% of Australia’s mammals • 30% of Australia’s marsupials • 60% of Australia’s butterflies • 48% of Australia’s bird species • 25% of Australia’s frogs and reptiles • 37% of Australia’s freshwater fish • 50% of Australia’s bat species Australian tropical rainforests are home to many species of endangered frogs.

6. Impact of Climate Change Climate change has impacted greatly on many ecosystems around the world, including Australian tropical rainforests. If nothing is done to combat climate change, the numbers of plants and animals found in these rainforests will fall even faster than they already are.

7. There are many animals that rely greatly on plants for survival. These animals use the plants for food and habitat purposes. Unless something is done about climate change, these already endangered plants will soon become extinct, leaving these animals stranded. In Australian tropical rainforests there are lots of endangered animals including many species of frogs. If the world’s temperature continues to rise at the same rate it is, we will lose many precious species of animals.

8. Rising sea levels are also a problem. Because of climate change, sea levels will rise at a frightening rate, causing coastal erosion and threatening parts of Australia’s tropical rainforests. If temperatures rise by 0.8°C, we could lose at least 50% of many, many special and unique species. We need to do something about climate change so that the next generation will get a chance to see these precious species.

9. What Needs to be Done? Ultimately, to reduce the impact of climate change on Australian tropical rainforests, we need to severely cut down our greenhouse gas emissions. Now, this may seem impossible for one average person, but we can all do little things to help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

10. Some little things that the average person can do to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions include: • Turning off lights when you leave a room • Turning off appliances when not in use • Fixing all dripping taps • Turning off appliances at the wall • Switching to natural energy sources • Using public transport/walking/riding a bike

11. Bibliography • www.skyrail.com.au/rainforests.html • www.daintreerainforest.com/index.html • www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/rfk/abo ut.html • www.anbg.gov.au/education/docs/rainforest-2004.doc • www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/publications/pubs/fs-national.pdf By Emma Hooper and Cassandra Gillard