Tasmania fires may 'wipe out' ancient plant and flora species

[Judi Lynn]

HOBART, AUSTRALIA (AFP) - Tasmania's ancient rainforest and alpine flora species face an uncertain future, scientists have warned, after out-of-control bushfires consumed vast tracts of wild bushland.

As authorities downgraded emergency warnings Friday (Feb 15), with wetter weather - and even some snow - bringing respite from more than a month of rolling fires, scientists warned they are still assessing the damage to the island's unique environment.

Wildfires have scorched over 205,000 ha in the southwest, centre and northwest of the island - fuelled, scientists believe, by climate change.

Most of the native eucalypt forests have adapted to frequent burning, but Tasmania is a refuge for ancient species, whose presence dates back millions of years to when Australia was part of a supercontinent called Gondwana.

More:
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/tasmania-fires-may-wipe-out-ancient-plant-and-flora-species









More images of Tasmania's eucalyptus forests:

https://preview.tinyurl.com/y35aaukj

[kimbutgar]

1. How sad, but nature will repair itself longer than mankind will exist on earth.

[Duppers]

2. Welcomed precipitation.

Beautiful pics! 💕