Lord Howe-Norfolk Islands Forests - A Global Ecoregion
Volcanic activity created these ancient islands millions of years ago
Snapshot: Ecoregion 19
Size:
56 sq. km (21 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Geographic Location:
Islands off the east coast of Australia in the Tasman Sea
Conservation Status:
Critical/Endangered
Quiz Time!
Is it true that the Lord Howe woodhen was once threatened?
Answer:
The Lord Howe Island woodhen began its decline before the 1850s, probably because they were a popular food source for settlers. By 1980, there were very few healthy breeding pairs remaining. The species has recovered remarkably since then, due to habitat research, removing their predators, and captive breeding.
About the Area
This Global ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Lord Howe Island subtropical forests; Norfolk Island subtropical forests.
These ancient and isolated islands support at least 392 distinctive species, of which 40 per cent are found only here.Habitats include subtropical broadleaf, palm, and conifer forests. Norfolk Island has 174 native plant species, and 51 are endemic.
There are 129 native and introduced bird species on the islands, 27 of which breed regularly on Lord Howe.
Local Species
Endemic to Lord Howe Island are the endangered Lord Howe Island wood rail (Tricholimas sylvestris), Lord Howe rail (Gallirallus sylvestris), and Lord Howe white-eye (Zosterops tephropleurus).
Endemic to Norfolk Island are Norfolk Island parakeet (Cyanoramphus cookii), and Slender-billed white-eye (Zosterops tenuirostris).
Other birds of interest include Green parrot (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae), Morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae), and Sacred kingfisher (Halcyon sancta).
Among the native trees found in the forests on Norfolk Island are Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla), Pepper tree (Macropiper excelsum), Bloodwood (Baloghia inophylla), and White oak (Lagunaria patersonia).
Threats
Introduced plants and animals, grazing are the major threats.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
