A working group · above the roof
the giants
The trees that break the roof: booyongs bracing themselves with fins of wood, the araucarias off a line older than the flowering trees, and the red cedar the cutters came for first.
Web of life · The rainforest at Mary Cairncross
Pull any thread
Step off the mown edge and the light drops by half. This is a surviving fragment of the big scrub on deep red basalt: a closed roof overhead, a dark floor below, and a forest that keeps its wealth in the living layers rather than in the ground.
58 living things and features. 79 connections between them. Touch one and the rest of the place comes with it.
Or touch anything in the drawing, or meet everyone who lives here.
the giants · above the roof
Red cedar
The most valuable timber in eastern Australia never grew in stands, which is why the cutters had to range across the whole forest.
Its part here: one of the giants
What it needs
habitat and shelter
Red cedar grows in it.
Mary Cairncross Reserve → Red cedar
General ecology Mary Cairncross Reserve →
And one step further
- through Mary Cairncross Reserve: the red-legged pademelon
the giants · above the roof
The booyongs
Towering buttressed trunks, white booyong and black booyong both, bracing their shallow roots with great thin fins of wood.
Its part here: one of the giants
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The booyongs grow in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the booyongs
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
Who depends on it
parasitism or disease
Strangler fig lives at its expense.
the booyongs → Strangler fig
General ecology Strangler fig →
How it meets the soil
decomposition
The wood-rotting fungi break it down when it falls.
the booyongs → the wood-rotting fungi
General ecology The wood-rotting fungi →
nutrient cycling
The booyongs feed the soil they grow in.
the booyongs → Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub)
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
- through Strangler fig: the regent bowerbird, the fig wasp, the flying-foxes, the rose-crowned fruit-dove, the wompoo fruit-dove
the giants · above the roof
The araucarias
The hoop pines spearing above the canopy and the great dome of the bunya: conifers off a line that ruled Gondwana, still riding above the roof here.
Its part here: one of the giants
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The araucarias grow in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the araucarias
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
A working group · the closed canopy
the delivery service
The couriers the forest cannot move without: two fruit-doves, a nomadic flock, a loud honeyeater that eats more fruit than nectar, and the flying-foxes doing it all again after dark and further.
the delivery service · the closed canopy
The wompoo fruit-dove
One of the country's largest fruit-doves, dressed in green, purple and gold, swallowing fruit whole and carrying the seed away.
Its part here: one of the delivery service
Whose pollen and seed it moves
seed dispersal
The wompoo fruit-dove eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
the wompoo fruit-dove ↔ the laurels · a trade
General ecology The laurels →
seed dispersal
The wompoo fruit-dove eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
the wompoo fruit-dove ↔ Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) · a trade
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
seed dispersal
The wompoo fruit-dove eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
the wompoo fruit-dove ↔ Strangler fig · a trade
General ecology Strangler fig →
And one step further
- through the laurels: the mycorrhizal fungi, the leaf-chewers, the blue triangle, the stingless bees, the Australian brush-turkey, Lewin's honeyeater
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon
- through Strangler fig: the regent bowerbird, the fig wasp, the booyongs, the flying-foxes, the rose-crowned fruit-dove
the delivery service · the closed canopy
The rose-crowned fruit-dove
The wompoo's smaller companion at the fig and laurel crops, another courier the forest cannot move without.
Its part here: one of the delivery service
Whose pollen and seed it moves
seed dispersal
The rose-crowned fruit-dove eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
the rose-crowned fruit-dove ↔ Strangler fig · a trade
General ecology Strangler fig →
And one step further
- through Strangler fig: the regent bowerbird, the fig wasp, the booyongs, the flying-foxes, the wompoo fruit-dove
the delivery service · the closed canopy
The topknot pigeon
Nomadic flocks that sweep through the canopy, chasing whatever is fruiting this month.
Its part here: one of the delivery service
Who depends on it
predation
The grey goshawk hunts it.
the topknot pigeon → the grey goshawk
General ecology The grey goshawk →
Whose pollen and seed it moves
seed dispersal
The topknot pigeon eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
the topknot pigeon ↔ Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) · a trade
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the wompoo fruit-dove
the delivery service · the closed canopy
The flying-foxes
The night shift of the fruit economy, and the only courier here that will carry a seed across the cleared country to the next remnant.
Its part here: one of the delivery service
Who depends on it
predation
The powerful owls hunt it.
the flying-foxes → the powerful owls
General ecology The powerful owls →
Whose pollen and seed it moves
seed dispersal
The flying-foxes eat its fruit or seed, and likely spread it.
the flying-foxes ↔ the quandongs · a trade
General ecology The quandongs →
seed dispersal
The flying-foxes eat its fruit or seed, and likely spread it.
the flying-foxes ↔ Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) · a trade
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
seed dispersal
The flying-foxes eat its fruit or seed, and likely spread it.
the flying-foxes ↔ Strangler fig · a trade
General ecology Strangler fig →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
- through Strangler fig: the regent bowerbird, the fig wasp, the booyongs, the rose-crowned fruit-dove, the wompoo fruit-dove
the delivery service · the closed canopy
Lewin's honeyeater
The loud, plain, curious bird you hear before anything else: a machine-gun rattle out of the mid-storey.
Its part here: one of the delivery service
What it eats or lives on
predation
Lewin's honeyeater hunts it.
the leaf-chewers → Lewin's honeyeater
General ecology The leaf-chewers →
Whose pollen and seed it moves
seed dispersal
Lewin's honeyeater eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
Lewin's honeyeater ↔ the laurels · a trade
General ecology The laurels →
And one step further
- through the leaf-chewers: the giant stinging tree, the golden orb weavers, the paradise riflebird
- through the laurels: the mycorrhizal fungi, Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the blue triangle, the stingless bees, the Australian brush-turkey, the wompoo fruit-dove
A working group · the closed canopy
the larder trees
What the couriers are working: the laurels that hold the canopy, and the quandongs that drop blue marbles on the track. Both of them pay in flesh to have their seed carried off.
the larder trees · the closed canopy
The laurels
The family that quietly runs this canopy: plain-leaved trees carrying a single big seed in a thin fleshy skin, built to be swallowed.
Its part here: one of the larder trees
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The laurels grow in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the laurels
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
Who depends on it
grazing
The leaf-chewers feed on it.
the laurels → the leaf-chewers
General ecology The leaf-chewers →
Who moves its pollen and seed
pollination
The stingless bees visit its flowers, and likely carry its pollen.
the laurels ↔ the stingless bees · a trade
General ecology The stingless bees →
Likely seed carriers, 3 species General ecology
seed dispersal
The Australian brush-turkey eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
the laurels ↔ the Australian brush-turkey · a trade
General ecology The Australian brush-turkey →
seed dispersal
Lewin's honeyeater eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
the laurels ↔ Lewin's honeyeater · a trade
General ecology Lewin's honeyeater →
seed dispersal
The wompoo fruit-dove eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
the laurels ↔ the wompoo fruit-dove · a trade
General ecology The wompoo fruit-dove →
Who it hosts and shelters
host plant
The blue triangle raises its young on it.
the laurels → the blue triangle
General ecology The blue triangle →
How it meets the soil
a fungal partnership
The laurels and it trade sugar and minerals underground.
the laurels ↔ the mycorrhizal fungi · a trade
General ecology The mycorrhizal fungi →
And one step further
- through the mycorrhizal fungi: the litter fungi
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon
- through the leaf-chewers: the giant stinging tree, the golden orb weavers, the paradise riflebird
- through the Australian brush-turkey: the carpet python, the litter invertebrates
- through the wompoo fruit-dove: Strangler fig
the larder trees · the closed canopy
The quandongs
Pale-buttressed trees that drop bright blue marbles onto the track, each one a sculpted stone in a thin skin of flesh.
Its part here: one of the larder trees
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The quandongs grow in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the quandongs
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
Who moves its pollen and seed
seed dispersal
The flying-foxes eat its fruit or seed, and likely spread it.
the quandongs ↔ the flying-foxes · a trade
General ecology The flying-foxes →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
- through the flying-foxes: the powerful owls, Strangler fig
A working group · the closed canopy
the stranglers and climbers
The plants that let somebody else do the standing: a fig that starts in a high fork and comes down to the ground, a climbing palm that hooks its way up on the backs of its neighbours, and the woody vines that tie the crowns together.
the stranglers and climbers · the closed canopy
Strangler fig
A tree that begins high in another tree's fork and lets its roots down to the ground. The host does not survive.
Its part here: one of the stranglers and climbers
Who depends on it
grazing
The regent bowerbird feeds on it.
Strangler fig → the regent bowerbird
General ecology The regent bowerbird →
What it lives on
parasitism or disease
Strangler fig lives at its expense.
the booyongs → Strangler fig
General ecology The booyongs →
Who moves its pollen and seed
pollination
The fig wasp visits its flowers, and likely carries its pollen.
Strangler fig ↔ the fig wasp · a trade
General ecology The fig wasp →
Likely seed carriers, 3 species General ecology
seed dispersal
The flying-foxes eat its fruit or seed, and likely spread it.
Strangler fig ↔ the flying-foxes · a trade
General ecology The flying-foxes →
seed dispersal
The rose-crowned fruit-dove eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
Strangler fig ↔ the rose-crowned fruit-dove · a trade
General ecology The rose-crowned fruit-dove →
seed dispersal
The wompoo fruit-dove eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
Strangler fig ↔ the wompoo fruit-dove · a trade
General ecology The wompoo fruit-dove →
Who it hosts and shelters
host plant
The fig wasp raises its young on it.
Strangler fig → the fig wasp
General ecology The fig wasp →
And one step further
- through the booyongs: the wood-rotting fungi, Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub)
- through the flying-foxes: the powerful owls, the quandongs, Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub)
- through the wompoo fruit-dove: the laurels, Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub)
the stranglers and climbers · the closed canopy
The lawyer cane
A climbing palm that has given up standing on its own, hooking its way toward the light on the backs of its neighbours.
Its part here: one of the stranglers and climbers
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The lawyer cane grows in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the lawyer cane
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
the stranglers and climbers · the closed canopy
The woody vines
Ropes of wood with no trunk of their own, hauled up to the roof on other trees and knitting the crowns together.
Its part here: one of the stranglers and climbers
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The woody vines grow in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the woody vines
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
Who depends on it
grazing
The stick insects feed on it.
the woody vines → the stick insects
General ecology The stick insects →
Who it hosts and shelters
habitat and shelter
The golden orb weavers live in, nest in or shelter in it.
the woody vines → the golden orb weavers
General ecology The golden orb weavers →
habitat and shelter
The green tree snake lives in, nests in or shelters in it.
the woody vines → the green tree snake
General ecology The green tree snake →
And one step further
- through the golden orb weavers: the leaf-chewers
- through the green tree snake: the gully frogs
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
A working group · the closed canopy
the locked partners
The tightest connection on the coast, and an absolute one: an insect a few millimetres long that the figs cannot exist without, and that cannot exist without the figs.
the locked partners · the closed canopy
The fig wasp
An insect a few millimetres long, the one pollinator the strangler figs cannot exist without: the tightest connection on the coast.
Its part here: one of the locked partners
What it needs
host plant
The fig wasp raises its young on it.
Strangler fig → the fig wasp
General ecology Strangler fig →
Whose pollen and seed it moves
pollination
The fig wasp visits its flowers, and likely carries its pollen.
the fig wasp ↔ Strangler fig · a trade
General ecology Strangler fig →
And one step further
- through Strangler fig: the regent bowerbird, the booyongs, the flying-foxes, the rose-crowned fruit-dove, the wompoo fruit-dove
A working group · the closed canopy
the air gardeners
The tenants of the high branches, paying rent in nothing but weight: ferns that build their own compost heap in a fork, and the orchids beside them, taking from the tree only a perch.
the air gardeners · the closed canopy
The bird's-nest fern
A shuttlecock of stiff green fronds wedged in a high fork, funnelling falling leaves and rain into its own private compost heap.
Its part here: one of the air gardeners
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The bird's-nest fern grows in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the bird's-nest fern
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
Who it hosts and shelters
habitat and shelter
The litter invertebrates live in, nest in or shelter in it.
the bird's-nest fern → the litter invertebrates
General ecology The litter invertebrates →
And one step further
- through the litter invertebrates: the ants, the Australian brush-turkey, the eastern yellow robin, the gully frogs, the logrunner, the whipbird, the subtropical antechinus
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
the air gardeners · the closed canopy
The staghorns and elkhorns
Epiphytes riding the big horizontal limbs, backing-fronds pressed flat to the bark, taking nothing from the tree but a perch.
Its part here: one of the air gardeners
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The staghorns and elkhorns grow in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the staghorns and elkhorns
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
the air gardeners · the closed canopy
The epiphytic orchids
The smallest and hardest to find of the air gardeners, perched on the high branches where the light is.
Its part here: one of the air gardeners
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The epiphytic orchids grow in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the epiphytic orchids
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
A working group · the closed canopy
the hunters
Who eats the eaters: a hawk shaped for turning between trunks, two owls working the dark at opposite scales, a python that waits on a route for days, and a tree snake that climbs after frogs.
the hunters · the closed canopy
The grey goshawk
A hawk built for the inside of a forest: short wings, long tail, and a habit of arriving before you know it.
Its part here: one of the hunters
What it eats or lives on
predation
The grey goshawk hunts it.
the topknot pigeon → the grey goshawk
General ecology The topknot pigeon →
And one step further
- through the topknot pigeon: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub)
the hunters · the closed canopy
The powerful owls
Half a metre of bird with feet that can carry a possum out of a fork, and a territory bigger than this whole remnant.
Its part here: one of the hunters
What it eats or lives on
predation
The powerful owls hunt it.
the flying-foxes → the powerful owls
General ecology The flying-foxes →
And one step further
- through the flying-foxes: the quandongs, Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), Strangler fig
the hunters · the closed canopy
The southern boobook
The small owl, a fist of a bird calling the two notes everybody knows, working the edges for moths, beetles and whatever it can pick off a log.
Its part here: one of the hunters
What it eats or lives on
predation
The southern boobook hunts it.
the subtropical antechinus → the southern boobook
General ecology The subtropical antechinus →
And one step further
- through the subtropical antechinus: the litter invertebrates
the hunters · the closed canopy
The carpet python
Looped along a branch, digesting: the forest's quiet constrictor.
Its part here: one of the hunters
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The carpet python lives in, nests in or shelters in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the carpet python
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
What it eats or lives on
predation
The carpet python hunts it.
the Australian brush-turkey → the carpet python
General ecology The Australian brush-turkey →
predation
The carpet python hunts it.
the northern brown bandicoot → the carpet python
General ecology The northern brown bandicoot →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
- through the Australian brush-turkey: the litter invertebrates, the laurels
- through the northern brown bandicoot: the earthworms
the hunters · the closed canopy
The green tree snake
A thin, fast, harmless climber that hunts by daylight, mostly for frogs.
Its part here: one of the hunters
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The green tree snake lives in, nests in or shelters in it.
the woody vines → the green tree snake
General ecology The woody vines →
What it eats or lives on
predation
The green tree snake hunts it.
the gully frogs → the green tree snake
General ecology The gully frogs →
And one step further
- through the woody vines: the golden orb weavers, Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the stick insects
- through the gully frogs: the litter invertebrates
A working group · the understorey
the gap-rushers
What fills the hole when a big tree crashes: the fastest of the pioneers, soft-leaved and furred with silica hairs, holding the gap until the canopy closes over it again.
the gap-rushers · the understorey
The giant stinging tree
A soft-leaved pioneer that rushes canopy gaps, every surface furred with silica hairs whose sting can smoulder for days.
Its part here: one of the gap-rushers
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The giant stinging tree grows in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the giant stinging tree
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
Who depends on it
grazing
The leaf-chewers feed on it.
the giant stinging tree → the leaf-chewers
General ecology The leaf-chewers →
grazing
The red-legged pademelon feeds on it.
the giant stinging tree → the red-legged pademelon
General ecology The red-legged pademelon →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
- through the leaf-chewers: the laurels, the golden orb weavers, Lewin's honeyeater, the paradise riflebird
- through the red-legged pademelon: Mary Cairncross Reserve, the land leeches
A working group · the understorey
the show-offs
The voices and the displays of the green room: a call like a cat, a bower tended on the floor, the southernmost bird-of-paradise in the world, and the crack that carries through the trees.
the show-offs · the understorey
The green catbird
Heard long before it is seen: a call exactly like a cat, or a crying child, reaching you out of the gloom.
Its part here: one of the show-offs
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The green catbird lives in, nests in or shelters in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the green catbird
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
Whose pollen and seed it moves
seed dispersal
The green catbird eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
the green catbird ↔ the walking-stick palm · a trade
General ecology The walking-stick palm →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
the show-offs · the understorey
The regent bowerbird
The male is a flame of gold and black, and he builds and tends a twig bower on the forest floor to court the females that pass.
Its part here: one of the show-offs
What it eats or lives on
grazing
The regent bowerbird feeds on it.
Strangler fig → the regent bowerbird
General ecology Strangler fig →
And one step further
- through Strangler fig: the fig wasp, the booyongs, the flying-foxes, the rose-crowned fruit-dove, the wompoo fruit-dove
the show-offs · the understorey
The paradise riflebird
The southernmost bird-of-paradise in the world, a scrap of New Guinea displaying in a Queensland gully.
Its part here: one of the show-offs
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The paradise riflebird lives in, nests in or shelters in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the paradise riflebird
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
What it eats or lives on
predation
The paradise riflebird hunts it.
the leaf-chewers → the paradise riflebird
General ecology The leaf-chewers →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
- through the leaf-chewers: the giant stinging tree, the laurels, the golden orb weavers, Lewin's honeyeater
the show-offs · the understorey
The whipbird
The crack that carries through the green room, one of the first sounds the forest gives you inside the trees.
Its part here: one of the show-offs
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The whipbird lives in, nests in or shelters in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the whipbird
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
What it eats or lives on
predation
The whipbird hunts it.
the litter invertebrates → the whipbird
General ecology The litter invertebrates →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
- through the litter invertebrates: the bird's-nest fern, the ants, the Australian brush-turkey, the eastern yellow robin, the gully frogs, the logrunner, the subtropical antechinus
A working group · the understorey
the insect patrol
The birds that work the floor and the low stems for the small things living in the litter: one that pounces, one that rakes, and one that smashes snails on a stone it uses all season.
the insect patrol · the understorey
The eastern yellow robin
The bird that watches you sideways from a sapling, then drops on something you never saw.
Its part here: one of the insect patrol
What it eats or lives on
predation
The eastern yellow robin hunts it.
the litter invertebrates → the eastern yellow robin
General ecology The litter invertebrates →
And one step further
- through the litter invertebrates: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the bird's-nest fern, the ants, the Australian brush-turkey, the gully frogs, the logrunner, the whipbird, the subtropical antechinus
the insect patrol · the understorey
The logrunner
A small brown bird that rakes the leaf litter sideways with one foot, and leaves the floor looking swept.
Its part here: one of the insect patrol
What it eats or lives on
predation
The logrunner hunts it.
the litter invertebrates → the logrunner
General ecology The litter invertebrates →
And one step further
- through the litter invertebrates: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the bird's-nest fern, the ants, the Australian brush-turkey, the eastern yellow robin, the gully frogs, the whipbird, the subtropical antechinus
the insect patrol · the understorey
The noisy pitta
A ground bird coloured like a parrot, and the owner of an anvil stone with a ring of broken shells around it.
Its part here: one of the insect patrol
What it eats or lives on
predation
The noisy pitta hunts it.
the earthworms → the noisy pitta
General ecology The earthworms →
predation
The noisy pitta hunts it.
the land snails → the noisy pitta
General ecology The land snails →
And one step further
- through the earthworms: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the northern brown bandicoot
- through the land snails: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub)
A working group · the understorey
the small lives
The invertebrate half of the forest, which is most of it by number: the chewers eating the canopy standing up, a butterfly tied to one plant family, the bees in a hollow limb, the orb weavers taxing every flyway, the ants, and the leeches waiting on your boot.
the small lives · the understorey
The leaf-chewers
The beetles, caterpillars and katydids that eat this forest standing up, and the reason the canopy is full of holes.
Its part here: one of the small lives
Who depends on it
Hunted by 3 of its neighbours General ecology
predation
The golden orb weavers hunt it.
the leaf-chewers → the golden orb weavers
General ecology The golden orb weavers →
predation
Lewin's honeyeater hunts it.
the leaf-chewers → Lewin's honeyeater
General ecology Lewin's honeyeater →
predation
The paradise riflebird hunts it.
the leaf-chewers → the paradise riflebird
General ecology The paradise riflebird →
What it eats or lives on
grazing
The leaf-chewers feed on it.
the giant stinging tree → the leaf-chewers
General ecology The giant stinging tree →
And one step further
- through the giant stinging tree: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the red-legged pademelon
- through the laurels: the mycorrhizal fungi, Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the blue triangle, the stingless bees, the Australian brush-turkey, the wompoo fruit-dove
- through the golden orb weavers: the woody vines
- through the paradise riflebird: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub)
the small lives · the understorey
The stick insects
Leaf-eaters that have solved the problem of being eaten by looking exactly like the thing they eat.
Its part here: one of the small lives
What it eats or lives on
grazing
The stick insects feed on it.
the woody vines → the stick insects
General ecology The woody vines →
And one step further
- through the woody vines: the golden orb weavers, the green tree snake, Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub)
the small lives · the understorey
The blue triangle
A flicker of electric blue going past at head height, whose caterpillars can eat almost nothing but laurels.
Its part here: one of the small lives
What it needs
host plant
The blue triangle raises its young on it.
the laurels → the blue triangle
General ecology The laurels →
And one step further
the small lives · the understorey
The stingless bees
Black bees the size of a grain of rice, living by the thousand in the hollow of a tree.
Its part here: one of the small lives
Whose pollen and seed it moves
pollination
The stingless bees visit its flowers, and likely carry its pollen.
the stingless bees ↔ the laurels · a trade
General ecology The laurels →
And one step further
the small lives · the understorey
The golden orb weavers
The big spiders whose yellow silk hangs across every gap, strong enough to stop a small bird.
Its part here: one of the small lives
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The golden orb weavers live in, nest in or shelter in it.
the woody vines → the golden orb weavers
General ecology The woody vines →
What it eats or lives on
predation
The golden orb weavers hunt it.
the leaf-chewers → the golden orb weavers
General ecology The leaf-chewers →
And one step further
- through the woody vines: the green tree snake, Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the stick insects
- through the leaf-chewers: the giant stinging tree, the laurels, Lewin's honeyeater, the paradise riflebird
the small lives · the understorey
The ants
The standing army of the forest: uncountable, everywhere, and into everything that falls.
Its part here: one of the small lives
What it eats or lives on
predation
The ants hunt it.
the litter invertebrates → the ants
General ecology The litter invertebrates →
And one step further
- through the litter invertebrates: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the bird's-nest fern, the Australian brush-turkey, the eastern yellow robin, the gully frogs, the logrunner, the whipbird, the subtropical antechinus
- through the termites: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub)
the small lives · the understorey
The land leeches
The forest's most reliable greeting: a thumbnail of muscle that finds you by heat, shadow and breath.
Its part here: one of the small lives
What it eats or lives on
parasitism or disease
The land leeches live at its expense.
the red-legged pademelon → the land leeches
General ecology The red-legged pademelon →
And one step further
- through the red-legged pademelon: Mary Cairncross Reserve, the giant stinging tree
A working group · the dim floor
the floor crew
The dim floor's residents: palms that live their whole lives in half-light, a habituated pademelon colony, a skink under the logs, a mound-building turkey, and the night diggers and frogs.
the floor crew · the dim floor
The Australian brush-turkey
Chicks that hatch deep inside a compost heap, dig their own way out, and never meet a parent.
Its part here: one of the floor crew
Who depends on it
predation
The carpet python hunts it.
the Australian brush-turkey → the carpet python
General ecology The carpet python →
What it eats or lives on
predation
The Australian brush-turkey hunts it.
the litter invertebrates → the Australian brush-turkey
General ecology The litter invertebrates →
Whose pollen and seed it moves
seed dispersal
The Australian brush-turkey eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
the Australian brush-turkey ↔ the laurels · a trade
General ecology The laurels →
And one step further
- through the carpet python: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the northern brown bandicoot
- through the litter invertebrates: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the bird's-nest fern, the ants, the eastern yellow robin, the gully frogs, the logrunner, the whipbird, the subtropical antechinus
- through the laurels: the mycorrhizal fungi, Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the leaf-chewers, the blue triangle, the stingless bees, Lewin's honeyeater, the wompoo fruit-dove
the floor crew · the dim floor
The red-legged pademelon
A small round rufous wallaby of the forest floor; the habituated colony at Mary Cairncross has long since stopped bothering to run.
Its part here: one of the floor crew
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The red-legged pademelon lives in, nests in or shelters in it.
Mary Cairncross Reserve → the red-legged pademelon
General ecology Mary Cairncross Reserve →
Who depends on it
parasitism or disease
The land leeches live at its expense.
the red-legged pademelon → the land leeches
General ecology The land leeches →
What it eats or lives on
grazing
The red-legged pademelon feeds on it.
the giant stinging tree → the red-legged pademelon
General ecology The giant stinging tree →
And one step further
- through Mary Cairncross Reserve: Red cedar
- through the giant stinging tree: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the leaf-chewers
the floor crew · the dim floor
The walking-stick palm
A single slender stem no higher than your chest, hung with dangling strings of scarlet fruit.
Its part here: one of the floor crew
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The walking-stick palm grows in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the walking-stick palm
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
Who moves its pollen and seed
seed dispersal
The green catbird eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
the walking-stick palm ↔ the green catbird · a trade
General ecology The green catbird →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
the floor crew · the dim floor
The piccabeen palm
Crowds the shaded floor in colonies as a juvenile, then races up to spend its adult life in the canopy.
Its part here: one of the floor crew
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The piccabeen palm grows in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the piccabeen palm
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
the floor crew · the dim floor
The land mullet
A glossy blue-black skink the length of your forearm, living under the rotting logs near the northern end of its whole range.
Its part here: one of the floor crew
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The land mullet lives in, nests in or shelters in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the land mullet
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
the floor crew · the dim floor
The subtropical antechinus
A small carnivorous marsupial hunting trunks, logs and litter, whose males all die after their first mating season.
Its part here: one of the floor crew
Who depends on it
predation
The southern boobook hunts it.
the subtropical antechinus → the southern boobook
General ecology The southern boobook →
What it eats or lives on
predation
The subtropical antechinus hunts it.
the litter invertebrates → the subtropical antechinus
General ecology The litter invertebrates →
And one step further
- through the litter invertebrates: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the bird's-nest fern, the ants, the Australian brush-turkey, the eastern yellow robin, the gully frogs, the logrunner, the whipbird
the floor crew · the dim floor
The northern brown bandicoot
The animal behind the neat conical holes in the ground: a night digger working for grubs, worms and fungi.
Its part here: one of the floor crew
Who depends on it
predation
The carpet python hunts it.
the northern brown bandicoot → the carpet python
General ecology The carpet python →
What it eats or lives on
predation
The northern brown bandicoot hunts it.
the earthworms → the northern brown bandicoot
General ecology The earthworms →
And one step further
- through the carpet python: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the Australian brush-turkey
- through the earthworms: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the noisy pitta
the floor crew · the dim floor
The gully frogs
The frogs of the wet floor and the creek line: a heavy barred frog under the litter, small tree frogs whirring over the water.
Its part here: one of the floor crew
Who depends on it
predation
The green tree snake hunts it.
the gully frogs → the green tree snake
General ecology The green tree snake →
What it eats or lives on
predation
The gully frogs hunt it.
the litter invertebrates → the gully frogs
General ecology The litter invertebrates →
And one step further
- through the green tree snake: the woody vines
- through the litter invertebrates: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub), the bird's-nest fern, the ants, the Australian brush-turkey, the eastern yellow robin, the logrunner, the whipbird, the subtropical antechinus
A working group · the dim floor
the cleanup crew
The main event, and the part you never see: the fungi that can eat wood, the ones that glow while they do it, termites, slime moulds, snails, millipedes, and the thousands of small animals in every handful of litter.
the cleanup crew · the dim floor
The litter fungi
The floor's demolition crew, rotting fallen leaves and timber at speed in the warm, wet, windless air.
Its part here: one of the cleanup crew
How it meets the soil
decomposition
The litter fungi break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the litter fungi
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
nutrient cycling
The litter fungi feed the soil beneath them.
the litter fungi → the mycorrhizal fungi
General ecology The mycorrhizal fungi →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
- through the mycorrhizal fungi: the laurels
the cleanup crew · the dim floor
The wood-rotting fungi
The only things here that can digest lignin: brackets and crusts taking a fallen giant apart from the inside out.
Its part here: one of the cleanup crew
How it meets the soil
decomposition
The wood-rotting fungi break it down when it falls.
the booyongs → the wood-rotting fungi
General ecology The booyongs →
decomposition
The wood-rotting fungi break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the wood-rotting fungi
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through the booyongs: Strangler fig
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
the cleanup crew · the dim floor
The luminous fungi
Fungi that glow: a cold green light on rotting wood, bright enough on a black wet night to read a watch by.
Its part here: one of the cleanup crew
How it meets the soil
decomposition
The luminous fungi break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the luminous fungi
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
the cleanup crew · the dim floor
The termites
The other wood crew: colonies eating the dead heart out of living trees, and building the forest's hollows as they go.
Its part here: one of the cleanup crew
Who depends on it
How it meets the soil
decomposition
The termites break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the termites
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
- through the ants: the litter invertebrates
the cleanup crew · the dim floor
The slime moulds
Not a fungus, not an animal: a creeping sheet of protoplasm that crawls over wet wood eating bacteria, then builds itself a fruiting body.
Its part here: one of the cleanup crew
What it eats or lives on
predation
The slime moulds hunt it.
the soil bacteria → the slime moulds
General ecology The soil bacteria →
And one step further
- through the soil bacteria: Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub)
the cleanup crew · the dim floor
The land snails
Big rainforest snails grazing the film off wet leaves and bark, building their shells out of the basalt.
Its part here: one of the cleanup crew
Who depends on it
predation
The noisy pitta hunts it.
the land snails → the noisy pitta
General ecology The noisy pitta →
How it meets the soil
decomposition
The land snails break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the land snails
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
- through the noisy pitta: the earthworms
the cleanup crew · the dim floor
The millipedes
The litter's shredders: slow, armoured, chemically defended, and they void the leaf fall in pellets the fungi can finish.
Its part here: one of the cleanup crew
How it meets the soil
decomposition
The millipedes break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the millipedes
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
the cleanup crew · the dim floor
The litter invertebrates
Springtails, mites, slaters and amphipods: several thousand animals in a double handful of leaves, and the base of everything that hunts on this floor.
Its part here: one of the cleanup crew
What it needs
habitat and shelter
The litter invertebrates live in, nest in or shelter in it.
the bird's-nest fern → the litter invertebrates
General ecology The bird's-nest fern →
Who depends on it
Hunted by 7 of its neighbours General ecology
predation
The Australian brush-turkey hunts it.
the litter invertebrates → the Australian brush-turkey
General ecology The Australian brush-turkey →
predation
The eastern yellow robin hunts it.
the litter invertebrates → the eastern yellow robin
General ecology The eastern yellow robin →
predation
The gully frogs hunt it.
the litter invertebrates → the gully frogs
General ecology The gully frogs →
predation
The logrunner hunts it.
the litter invertebrates → the logrunner
General ecology The logrunner →
predation
The whipbird hunts it.
the litter invertebrates → the whipbird
General ecology The whipbird →
predation
The subtropical antechinus hunts it.
the litter invertebrates → the subtropical antechinus
General ecology The subtropical antechinus →
How it meets the soil
decomposition
The litter invertebrates break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the litter invertebrates
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
- through the ants: the termites
- through the Australian brush-turkey: the carpet python, the laurels
- through the gully frogs: the green tree snake
- through the subtropical antechinus: the southern boobook
A working group · the red soil
the underground handover
Where it all ends up: worms pulling the litter down into the clay, bacteria releasing what is left, and the fungal threads in the living roots catching it before the rain can.
the underground handover · the red soil
The mycorrhizal fungi
Threaded through the living roots, catching the released nutrients before the rain can take them, and trading them on for sugar.
Its part here: one of the underground handover
How it meets the soil
a fungal partnership
The mycorrhizal fungi and it trade sugar and minerals underground.
the mycorrhizal fungi ↔ the laurels · a trade
General ecology The laurels →
a fungal partnership
The mycorrhizal fungi and it trade sugar and minerals underground.
the mycorrhizal fungi ↔ Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) · a trade
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
nutrient cycling
The litter fungi feed the soil beneath them.
the litter fungi → the mycorrhizal fungi
General ecology The litter fungi →
And one step further
- through the laurels: the leaf-chewers, the blue triangle, the stingless bees, the Australian brush-turkey, Lewin's honeyeater, the wompoo fruit-dove
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
the underground handover · the red soil
The earthworms
The native worms that pull leaves down into the red clay and keep a heavy soil open, some of them a startling size.
Its part here: one of the underground handover
Who depends on it
predation
The noisy pitta hunts it.
the earthworms → the noisy pitta
General ecology The noisy pitta →
predation
The northern brown bandicoot hunts it.
the earthworms → the northern brown bandicoot
General ecology The northern brown bandicoot →
How it meets the soil
decomposition
The earthworms break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the earthworms
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the soil bacteria, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
- through the noisy pitta: the land snails
- through the northern brown bandicoot: the carpet python
the underground handover · the red soil
The soil bacteria
The last workers in the chain, and the ones holding the nitrogen: more of them in a teaspoon of this clay than there are people on earth.
Its part here: one of the underground handover
Who depends on it
predation
The slime moulds hunt it.
the soil bacteria → the slime moulds
General ecology The slime moulds →
How it meets the soil
decomposition
The soil bacteria break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the soil bacteria
General ecology Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) →
And one step further
- through Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub): the earthworms, the land snails, the litter fungi, the litter invertebrates, the luminous fungi, the millipedes, the termites, the wood-rotting fungi, the mycorrhizal fungi, the araucarias, the bird's-nest fern, the booyongs, the carpet python, the epiphytic orchids, the giant stinging tree, the green catbird, the land mullet, the laurels, the lawyer cane, the woody vines, the paradise riflebird, the piccabeen palm, the quandongs, the staghorns and elkhorns, the walking-stick palm, the whipbird, the flying-foxes, the topknot pigeon, the wompoo fruit-dove
A feature of the place · the closed canopy
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub)
The tallest, most crowded forest on the coast shuts fire out by staying whole. Let one in, and there is no way back.
Pollen and seed movement
Likely seed carriers, 3 species General ecology
seed dispersal
The flying-foxes eat its fruit or seed, and likely spread it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) ↔ the flying-foxes · a trade
General ecology The flying-foxes →
seed dispersal
The topknot pigeon eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) ↔ the topknot pigeon · a trade
General ecology The topknot pigeon →
seed dispersal
The wompoo fruit-dove eats its fruit or seed, and likely spreads it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) ↔ the wompoo fruit-dove · a trade
General ecology The wompoo fruit-dove →
Who it hosts and shelters
Plants that grow in it, 12 species General ecology
habitat and shelter
The araucarias grow in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the araucarias
General ecology The araucarias →
habitat and shelter
The bird's-nest fern grows in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the bird's-nest fern
General ecology The bird's-nest fern →
habitat and shelter
The booyongs grow in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the booyongs
General ecology The booyongs →
habitat and shelter
The epiphytic orchids grow in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the epiphytic orchids
General ecology The epiphytic orchids →
habitat and shelter
The giant stinging tree grows in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the giant stinging tree
General ecology The giant stinging tree →
habitat and shelter
The laurels grow in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the laurels
General ecology The laurels →
habitat and shelter
The lawyer cane grows in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the lawyer cane
General ecology The lawyer cane →
habitat and shelter
The woody vines grow in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the woody vines
General ecology The woody vines →
habitat and shelter
The piccabeen palm grows in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the piccabeen palm
General ecology The piccabeen palm →
habitat and shelter
The quandongs grow in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the quandongs
General ecology The quandongs →
habitat and shelter
The staghorns and elkhorns grow in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the staghorns and elkhorns
General ecology The staghorns and elkhorns →
habitat and shelter
The walking-stick palm grows in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the walking-stick palm
General ecology The walking-stick palm →
Animals that live and shelter in it, 5 species General ecology
habitat and shelter
The carpet python lives in, nests in or shelters in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the carpet python
General ecology The carpet python →
habitat and shelter
The green catbird lives in, nests in or shelters in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the green catbird
General ecology The green catbird →
habitat and shelter
The land mullet lives in, nests in or shelters in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the land mullet
General ecology The land mullet →
habitat and shelter
The paradise riflebird lives in, nests in or shelters in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the paradise riflebird
General ecology The paradise riflebird →
habitat and shelter
The whipbird lives in, nests in or shelters in it.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the whipbird
General ecology The whipbird →
How it meets the soil
Decomposition, 6 partners General ecology
decomposition
The earthworms break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the earthworms
General ecology The earthworms →
decomposition
The land snails break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the land snails
General ecology The land snails →
decomposition
The litter invertebrates break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the litter invertebrates
General ecology The litter invertebrates →
decomposition
The millipedes break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the millipedes
General ecology The millipedes →
decomposition
The soil bacteria break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the soil bacteria
General ecology The soil bacteria →
decomposition
The termites break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the termites
General ecology The termites →
Decomposition, 3 partners General ecology
decomposition
The litter fungi break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the litter fungi
General ecology The litter fungi →
decomposition
The luminous fungi break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the luminous fungi
General ecology The luminous fungi →
decomposition
The wood-rotting fungi break down its fallen leaves and litter.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) → the wood-rotting fungi
General ecology The wood-rotting fungi →
a fungal partnership
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) and it trade sugar and minerals underground.
Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub) ↔ the mycorrhizal fungi · a trade
General ecology The mycorrhizal fungi →
nutrient cycling
The booyongs feed the soil they grow in.
the booyongs → Subtropical rainforest (the big scrub)
General ecology The booyongs →
And one step further
- through the earthworms: the noisy pitta, the northern brown bandicoot
- through the land snails: the noisy pitta
- through the litter invertebrates: the ants, the Australian brush-turkey, the eastern yellow robin, the gully frogs, the logrunner, the subtropical antechinus
- through the soil bacteria: the slime moulds
- through the termites: the ants
- through the booyongs: Strangler fig
- through the carpet python: the Australian brush-turkey, the northern brown bandicoot
- through the giant stinging tree: the leaf-chewers, the red-legged pademelon
- through the laurels: the leaf-chewers, the blue triangle, the stingless bees, the Australian brush-turkey, Lewin's honeyeater
- through the woody vines: the golden orb weavers, the green tree snake, the stick insects
- through the paradise riflebird: the leaf-chewers
- through the flying-foxes: the powerful owls, Strangler fig
- through the topknot pigeon: the grey goshawk
- through the wompoo fruit-dove: Strangler fig
A feature of the place · the dim floor
Mary Cairncross Reserve
Rainforest once ran the length of the Blackall Range. Some fifty-five hectares of it still stand above Maleny.
Who it hosts and shelters
habitat and shelter
Red cedar grows in it.
Mary Cairncross Reserve → Red cedar
General ecology Red cedar →
habitat and shelter
The red-legged pademelon lives in, nests in or shelters in it.
Mary Cairncross Reserve → the red-legged pademelon
General ecology The red-legged pademelon →
And one step further
- through the red-legged pademelon: the giant stinging tree, the land leeches
A neighbouring story
Richmond birdwing
One of Australia's largest butterflies, tied by a single thread to one native rainforest vine its caterpillars can eat and nothing else.
One of Australia's largest butterflies, and the plainest case on the coast of a life tied to a single thread: its caterpillars can eat essentially one native vine. It holds no connection here because it is a lowland animal. The scrub it haunts, and the vine it needs, ran through the country below rather than up here on the range crest, so it stands at the edge of this web as a neighbouring story: close enough to signpost, not documented inside the boundary. Its own page carries the full account, and chapter 16 carries the repair.
Everyone who lives here
58 residents and features, in the working groups they belong to. Press any name to put it in the middle of the web.
above the roof · 3
The trees that break the roof: booyongs bracing themselves with fins of wood, the araucarias off a line older than the flowering trees, and the red cedar the cutters came for first.
the closed canopy · 5
The couriers the forest cannot move without: two fruit-doves, a nomadic flock, a loud honeyeater that eats more fruit than nectar, and the flying-foxes doing it all again after dark and further.
the closed canopy · 2
What the couriers are working: the laurels that hold the canopy, and the quandongs that drop blue marbles on the track. Both of them pay in flesh to have their seed carried off.
the closed canopy · 3
The plants that let somebody else do the standing: a fig that starts in a high fork and comes down to the ground, a climbing palm that hooks its way up on the backs of its neighbours, and the woody vines that tie the crowns together.
the closed canopy · 1
The tightest connection on the coast, and an absolute one: an insect a few millimetres long that the figs cannot exist without, and that cannot exist without the figs.
the closed canopy · 3
The tenants of the high branches, paying rent in nothing but weight: ferns that build their own compost heap in a fork, and the orchids beside them, taking from the tree only a perch.
the closed canopy · 5
Who eats the eaters: a hawk shaped for turning between trunks, two owls working the dark at opposite scales, a python that waits on a route for days, and a tree snake that climbs after frogs.
the understorey · 1
What fills the hole when a big tree crashes: the fastest of the pioneers, soft-leaved and furred with silica hairs, holding the gap until the canopy closes over it again.
the understorey · 4
The voices and the displays of the green room: a call like a cat, a bower tended on the floor, the southernmost bird-of-paradise in the world, and the crack that carries through the trees.
the understorey · 3
The birds that work the floor and the low stems for the small things living in the litter: one that pounces, one that rakes, and one that smashes snails on a stone it uses all season.
the understorey · 7
The invertebrate half of the forest, which is most of it by number: the chewers eating the canopy standing up, a butterfly tied to one plant family, the bees in a hollow limb, the orb weavers taxing every flyway, the ants, and the leeches waiting on your boot.
the dim floor · 8
The dim floor's residents: palms that live their whole lives in half-light, a habituated pademelon colony, a skink under the logs, a mound-building turkey, and the night diggers and frogs.
the dim floor · 8
The main event, and the part you never see: the fungi that can eat wood, the ones that glow while they do it, termites, slime moulds, snails, millipedes, and the thousands of small animals in every handful of litter.
the red soil · 3
Where it all ends up: worms pulling the litter down into the clay, bacteria releasing what is left, and the fungal threads in the living roots catching it before the rain can.
The forest itself the stage itself · 2
Two of the names here are not residents but the place they live in: the subtropical rainforest, which shuts fire out by staying whole, and the fifty-five hectares of it still standing above Maleny. Almost everything else on this page lives inside one of those two, so each is a place to stand like any resident.
Neighbouring stories just past the boundary · 1
These live at the edge of this web, not inside it. They appear because a connection or a signpost reaches them, and they are not drawn in the scene, because the scene holds only this place.
See the complete network all 79 relationships as one abstract graph, with each stroke saying where its evidence comes from
About this web
This web holds 79 relationships across 58 residents and features, and every one of them is on the page. It shows the plants, animals and fungi you can expect to find in this country and how they depend on one another. Some of that is drawn from the book's own chapters and some is the ordinary, well-understood ecology of this kind of place; the counts are computed from the shipped records, never typed in.
A honeyeater at a banksia flower and a fungus in the leaf litter belong here because that is how this country runs, whether or not anyone has published the observation on this exact ground. Where a relationship does rest on a particular study or a passage of the book, its card says so and its mark says where that knowledge came from: every one of them the general ecology of this kind of country. Those marks are about the record, not about the doubt: a fruit-dove swallowing a fig whole is not a hypothesis, it is simply something nobody has published for this particular fifty-five hectares. Every relationship, printed once with its full evidence, quotation and source, is on the evidence register.
Whose country this is
The Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) people are the Traditional Owners and continuing custodians of this country, and have read it for far longer than any source on this page. This release presents the published scientific record only. Knowledge of Country belongs to its custodians, and it would enter this product only through proper collaboration and cultural protocols, which has not yet happened. That is the scope of this page, stated plainly, not a gap we will quietly fill.
What the marks mean
- Seen here · Recorded or measured in this patch of rainforest itself.
- Seen elsewhere · Documented for these species, and not as a record made at this place. The source may well cover this coast; what it does not carry is the observation here. The tier word, not the verb, says where the work was done.
- General ecology · Established for these species generally, and expected here for that reason. What is missing is the local record: nobody has published the observation made in this patch of rainforest yet.
- Our reading · Our editorial interpretation, signed as such.
No resident here carries a location, by construction: the records this page is built from have nowhere to put one. A remnant this small is one of the easiest places on the coast to over-visit, and this page could not point you at a particular tree if it tried.