Threats to Biodiversity Maintenance

The main threats to ecosystems and species in the Wet Tropics bioregion are posed by continued land clearing, alterations to drainage systems and watertables, inappropriate fire regimes, and feral animals and exotic plant invasion.

Protected Area Management

Queensland Parks and Wildlife maintains 16 conservation areas in the Shire, or partly in the Shire, each with its own management issues and threats. The parks include Wooroonooran National Park, Carello Swamp Conservation Park, Clump Point National Park, Ella Bay National Park, Etty Bay Road Conservation Park, Eubenangee Swamp National Park, Japoon National Park, Kurrimine Beach Conservation Park, Kurrimine Beach National Park, Maria Creek National Park, Moresby Range National Park, Palmerston Rocks National Park, Warrina Conservation Park, Warrubullen Conservation Park, Moresby Range Resouces Reserve, Brooks Beach Nature Refuge.

The total area in conservation is approximately 87 500 hectares. Management issues include, fire management, tourism, feral pigs, weeds, development of adjoining land, cassowaries, crocodiles, drainage, and saltwater incursion into freshwater wetland systems.

Source: Wet Tropics Management Authority

People and Groups that Care

Several community based conservation groups exist in the Shire. Their main purpose is to conserve and enhance the natural environment. The main groups operating in the Shire include:

•   Community Revegetation Volunteers
•   Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation (C4)
•   Johnstone Ecological Society

Source: Community Revegetation Unit