Conservation of monsoon rainforest isolates in the Northern Territory, Australia

The reservation status and condition of monsoon rainforest vegetation in the Northern Territory, Australia, are assessed based on geographically comprehensive survey data from a total of 1220 sites. It was found that five of 16 described rainforest assemblages are not currently reserved. One-third of survey sites were found to be severely disturbed by fire; 20% were severely disturbed by introduced cattle and Asian water buffalo; 10% by pigs; 7% by storm damage; 5% by flood damage; and 22% were infested with weeds. The impact of fires, introduced animals, and weeds is shown to apply generally across the three major forms of land tenure operative in the Northern Territory, namely: Aboriginal land, Crown land (mostly pastoral leasehold), and national parks and reserves. The implications of these data for conservative land management practice in the region are considered. It is concluded that effective conservation of significant rainforest patches requires active fire and feral animal management. Equally, however, the long-term genetic viability of small scattered patches and populations requires effective conservation at the landscape scale. Such considerations point to the necessity of setting priorities and practical objectives.