Eastern Australia Temperate Forests - A Global Ecoregion

The largest block of temperate forests in Australia

About the Area
This Global ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Southeast Australia temperate forests; Eastern Australian temperate forests; Tasmanian temperate forests; Australian Alps montane grasslands.

The Eastern Australia Temperate Forests enjoy a moderate climate and high rainfall that give rise to unique Eucalyptus forests and open woodlands dominated by Acacia trees.

The region served as a refuge for numerous plant and animal species when drier conditions prevailed over most of the continent. That has resulted in a remarkably diverse spectrum of organisms with high levels of regional and local endemism.

Local Species
Species include Koala (Phasolarctos cinereus), Golden-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), Squirrel glider (Peterus norfolcensis), Wombat (Vombatus ursinus), Southern forest dragon (Hypsilurus spinipes), Lesueur's velvet gecko (Oedura lesueurii), Collared scalyfoot (Delma torquata), Australian red-eyed tree frog (Litoria chloris), and the Tusked frog (Adelotus brevis).

The ecoregion is also home to a number of endemic species such as Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri), False water rat (Xeromys myoides), Hastings River mouse (Pseudomys oralis), Eastern little mastiff bat (Mormopterus norfolkensis), Red-necked pademelon (Thylogale thetis), Parma wallaby (Macropus parma), Long-footed Potoroos (Potorous longipes), and Eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii).

Birds include endemic species such as Albert's lyrebird (Menura alberti) and Russet-tailed thrush (Zoothera heinei), as well as a vast number of wider ranging species like Black-necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus), Australian king-parrot (Alisterus scapularis), and the Yellow-tailed black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus).

Threats
With the exception of southwestern Australia, this is the most heavily altered area on the continent as these forests have suffered conversion to a number of uses such as suburban/urban centers, livestock production, agriculture, and timber production, among others. Invasive plant and animal species are numerous and problematic throughout the ecoregion.

Resources
• NationalGeographic.com