The wet tropical rainforest of North Queensland is the richest bio diversity hotspot in Australia and is home to hundreds of rare and endangered species found no where else in the world.

The impact of modern life has brought damage to the whole eco-system, and scientists, in different areas of research, are now working together, to better understand how to prevent further damage.

"We need to understand how the rainforests originated here in the wet tropics and just how dynamic they are. How much they can change over short periods of time. 6.53 What for example will be the impact of climate change on these forests. We need to understand that."

By using climate data and computer modelling, scientists have begun to discover how nature has changed the forest over the past 18 thousand years.

While in the field, scientists study charcoal from ancient forest fires to discover the age and types of trees that have grown there.

And the study of fruit and berries is revealing how plant seeds are carried by birds and animals, to help regenerate rainforest plants.

"It's absolutely vital that we continue our rainforest research in this part of the world. First of all as a leader to other countries in the rest of the world. But we also we need to place the use of tropical rainforests in Northern Queensland in the context of other industries and the general development of the region."

Long Version of Rainforest Research