Eungella National Park

Eungella National Park (/ˈjʌŋɡɛlə/ YUNG-gel-ə; meaning "Land of the clouds") is a protected area in Queensland, Australia.

[3][4] The park preserves about half (30,000 ha) the area of rainforest present at the time of European settlement, which has been much reduced by logging.

[9] A total of 16 species of fungi, 19 mosses, 4 conifers, 92 ferns, 299 dicots and 54 monocots are recorded as occurring in the National Park.

[11] Elaeocarpus largiflorens is a rainforest tree reaching 30 m in height which occurs in the wet tropics from sea level to 1200 m elevation and is at the southern limit of its natural range at Eungella.

[12] The Eungella hairy daisy (Ozothamnus eriocephalus) is a shrub species with very limited range, currently listed as vulnerable at both state and federal levels.

[10][13] Omphalea celata is a small tree currently listed as vulnerable at a state and federal level, which was first described in 1994 and is found at Hazlewood Gorge within the park.

[10] The Eungella honeyeater (Lichenostomus hindwoodi) is endemic to the highland rainforest of the Clarke Range, including the park.

[9] The red-necked crake (Rallina tricolor), previously thought to only occur as far south as Townsville, was first observed in the park in 1981.

[18] The buff-breasted paradise kingfisher (Tanysiptera sylvia) and the white-browed robin (Poecilodryas superciliosa) are at the southern extent of their distribution at Eungella.

[3] The regent bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus) occurs at its northern limit in the park and surrounding area,[19][20][21] as do the brown thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla)[19][22] and the glossy black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami).

[29][31] The Eungella dayfrog was previously more common, but has declined in number and distribution in recent decades, and is now considered endangered at a state and federal level.

[10][29][35] It is one of only two species in the world known to brood its young in its stomach, with the mother swallowing fertilised eggs or early larval stages, before 'giving birth' through the mouth.

[3] Its distribution was exclusively undisturbed rainforest within Eungella National Park at altitudes of 400-1000m, before it underwent a sudden range contraction and disappeared.

[10] Three species of leaf-tailed geckos (Phyllurus ossa, P. isis and P. nepthys) occur in small rainforest patches in and around the park.

[42] The fly species Drosophila birchii is restricted to patches of warm, wet tropical rainforest between New Guinea and Eungella.

[3] It is listed as critically endangered due to its limited range, fragmented distribution, habitat decline due to exotic species, such as feral pigs (Sus scrofa), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), feral cats (Felis catus) and cane toads, and its vulnerability to climate change.

[48] Threats to the biodiversity of Eungella National Park include habitat fragmentation, the effects of introduced species, fire and human impacts.

[10] Pigs disturb the ground, promoting the spread of weeds, remove natural recruitment of flora and fauna and can be vectors for pathogens such as cinnamon fungus (Phytopthera cinnamomi).

[49][50] Cinnamon fungus has been found on the Clarke Range, including in one area of Dalrymple Heights, where approximately 20% of the rainforest has died.

[51] Cats, foxes and feral dogs (Canis familiaris) can threaten native fauna through predation, competition for resources and transmission of disease.

[52] Much of Eungella National Park is accessible only by walking tracks, which may limit feral animal spread, but may make control more difficult.

[55] Fire can also reduce litter, fallen logs and hollow-bearing trees which provide critical habitat for some species.

Welcome sign at the entrance to Eungella National Park
There are many well maintained paths in Eungella National Park
Interpretive signage helps visitors understand the ecology and features of Eungella National Park
Day use areas for visitors to Eungella National Park are well used and well maintained
The view down the Pioneer Valley from sky window
Many large trees with buttressed roots can be seen on the Cedar Grove Track in Eungella National Park
A climbing plant Pothos brownii on a tree trunk on the rainforest discovery track at Eungella National Park
A fan palm in the rainforest on the Rainforest Discovery Track, Eungella National Park
Australian brushturkeys are common in the rainforest and day use areas at Eungella National Park
Lantana is a weed found in Eungella National Park, especially on roadsides and in disturbed areas