Key finding

Climate change, resulting in increased temperatures, more frequent and intense storms and changes to the cloud base, mist availability or rainfall, is emerging as a high threat to the property’s Outstanding Universal Value. Even small climatic changes are predicted to change the distribution patterns of many endemic species and vegetation communities. It may already be impacting some of the World Heritage values and these impacts are expected to increase. Climate change is also predicted to exacerbate other threatening processes such as invasive species and pathogens, as well as fluctuations in rainfall patterns and altered fire regimes.

In the short-term, this threat is considered ‘moderate’, however as the effects of climate change become more pronounced over the medium to long term, the threat will be considered ‘very high’.

More information:

• Statement of Outstanding Universal Value
• World Heritage outlook

• Previous Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage integrity
• Next Invasive species and pathogens pressure on the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia