Why are teatree woodlands endangered?
Less than 20 % of the original woodlands remain
Broad leaf tea-tree has been extensively cleared. Some remnants are protected within the National Parks, State Forests and Wet Tropics World Heritage Area between Ingham and Innisfail.
However, most remaining remnants are located on private land.
Historically these forests were regarded as having little or no valuable timber, and poor soil. However the land is flat so large areas were cleared and drained for agriculture- sugarcane, pineapples, pine plantations and grazing.
Incremental smaller scale clearing for fire breaks, fences, roads, dams, infrastructure and hobby farming have added to the fragmentation of wildlife corridors.
Of the remaining 20 %, much is being invaded by non-native grasses and herbs, which reduces space for native ground layer plants where so much of the diversity is usually found.