ABSTRACT
In tropical Australia, the rainforest flora contains a unique association of species, descended from ancestors which became established during the Late Cretaceous/Early Tertiary and were later modified by subsequent climatic changes and by the northward drift of the Australian tectonic plate. The flora is mostly autochthonous as dictated by the presumed wide separation of the Australian and south-east Asian tectonic plates before the latter part of the Tertiary. The wet tropics world heritage area (WTWHA) is managed by the Wet Tropics Management Authority, answerable to both the Australian Government and the Queensland State Government but working in partnership with other bodies responsible for conservation, research, community engagement and Aboriginal involvement. Management of the WTWHA recognises different zones established according to ecosystem integrity, its remoteness from disturbance, the intended physical and social setting, and management purpose.
