Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
The Daintree IBA is located at the northern end of the Wet Tropics and encompasses one of the largest and most intact blocks of tropical rainforest remaining in Australia stretching from Helenvale south to Mount Molloy and encompassing 269,041 ha. The boundary of the IBA coincides with the Wet Tropics World Heritage area. Additional areas of forest could be included in the IBA but the World Heritage Area adequately protects populations of all the key bird species. Dominating the underlying geology of the area are granites and metamorphics, forming high hills and mountains which rise up from a narrow coastal plain. Covering this topography is rainforest vegetation; the Daintree IBA encompasses the most intact sequence of rainforest vegetation from coast to mountain top in the Wet Tropics. Overall the area has little human impact although development pressure is increasing. The climate of the region is monsoonal with a pronounced wet and dry season.
Infrequent sightings of Bush Stone-curlew, Silver-crowned Friarbird, Yellow Honeyeater and Banded Honeyeater were reported in Atlas of Australian Bird surveys from 1998 to 2008 (Atlas of Australian Birds).
Non-bird biodiversity: The Daintree IBA contains populations of three species of endangered frog, Common Mistfrog, Waterfall Frog and Lace-eyed Tree Frog. The area also contains a number of threatened plant species and Regional Ecosystems. Given its location in the Wet Tropics and the isolated and rugged nature of the area, it is almost certain that with further investigation other significant fauna and flora values will be discovered within the IBA.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Assessment of impacts, monitoring and management of weeds and ferals should be a high priority for land managers. Maintenance of the ecological integrity of high altitude forests through appropriate management of public access, weeds and feral animals is particularly important.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Comprehensive mapping of the regional ecosytems in the area has just been completed by the Wet Tropics Management Authority. The area has also been an important region for research on rainforest ecology and management. In 1998 a canopy research facility was developed in the lowlands of the Daintree. The centrepiece of this facility, a canopy crane, which is the only such facility in the southern hemisphere. Currently, significant areas of private land with high conservation value are part of a state and federal "buy back" scheme with purchased areas being added to the protected area estate.
Numerous - see separate section.
Queensland State Government - Dept of NPWS.
The nomination was prepared by Alastair Freeman.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Daintree (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/daintree-iba-australia on 22/12/2024.
