Rj. Fensham et al., THE INVASION OF LANTANA-CAMARA L IN FORTY-MILE-SCRUB-NATIONAL-PARK, NORTH QUEENSLAND, Australian journal of ecology, 19(3), 1994, pp. 297-305
Seventy-three per cent of dry rainforest in Forty Mire Scrub National
Park and large areas in adjacent savanna woodland have more than 5000
individuals per ha of lantana (Lantana camara L.). Transect studies in
dry rainforest and savanna woodland across varying intensities of lan
tana infestation show a negative correlation between the density of la
ntana and tree cover in rainforest. The density of pig rooting is very
high in areas of the dry rainforest on deep soil that was not heavily
infested with lantana. It is suggested that the digging activities of
these animals may cause tree death and subsequent increased light pen
etration, which favours lantana. The species richness of the dry rainf
orest declines as the density of lantana increases. However, the sapli
ngs and seedlings and the soil seed bank of dry rainforest and savanna
woodland tree species have comparable densities in heavy and light la
ntana infestations. The proliferation of lantana results in the build
up of heavy fuel loads across the boundary of dry rainforest and savan
na woodland. Recent fires have killed the canopy trees in a large area
of dry rainforest within the Park. Active management of Forty Mile Sc
rub National Park is urgent and some initiatives are suggested.