The Mabi Forest once thrived across the Atherton Tablelands, located inland from Cairns in Queensland’s Wet Tropics. This area is known for its scenic landscapes and agricultural productivity, but clearing has reduced Mabi Forest to just 4% of its original extent. Much of what remains is confined to small fragments, mostly on freehold land.
Through a partnership involving local community groups, government, Traditional Owners, and Terrain, this restoration project will contribute to the conservation and active restoration of the remaining Mabi Forest fragments.
There are more than 200 species of trees associated with Mabi Forest. A diverse selection of these species which are suited to revegetation conditions will be used for this restoration project.
Mabi Forest draws its name from the local aboriginal name for Lumholtz's Tree-kangaroo (mabi or mapi), one of the most common large mammals in this forest type. Predominantly a leaf eater, this rare species lives in the canopy of Mabi Forest and adjoining ecosystems.
The Mabi Forest restoration area is on the Atherton Tablelands in far north Queensland. Mabi Forest once grew across the Atherton Tablelands on fertile basalt soils, but is now only found within a restricted geographical range almost exclusively around the township of Atherton. The Atherton Tablelands, inland from Cairns, is renowned for its scenic amenity and productive agricultural landscapes.
Past clearing means less than 4% of the original extent of Mabi Forest remains. Only two small remnants are in the protected area estate, with just under half of all remaining Mabi Forest confined to fragments on freehold land. A strong partnership approach by local community groups, government, Traditional Owners and Terrain, the regional NRM body, has focused on conservation planning and active protection and restoration of Mabi Forest.
