Wet Tropics of Queensland integrity

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Key finding

Invasive species, pathogens and climate change are impacting the outstanding universal value (OUV) of the area.

Wet Tropics of Queensland (information applies statewide, map locations are for reference only)

The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area is an essentially intact ecosystem with low levels of human impact.

Human disturbances that cumulatively detract from the overall natural integrity are scattered throughout the area and include infrastructure such as transmission lines, access roads, abandoned mine sites and more extensive areas which were selectively logged prior to listing.

Climate change is a key emerging threat to the Wet Tropics’ integrity. With even a small increase in temperature, large declines are predicted for almost every endemic vertebrate species as well as many restricted plant species confined to the area.

Other threatening processes impacting on the Wet Tropic’s OUV are:

  • invasive plants, animals and pathogens
  • fragmentation
  • altered hydrological patterns
  • fire regimes.

More information:

Indicator: Integrity of world heritage criteria attributes

Integrity of Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage property world heritage criteria attributes.