THE FLORA OF CERRA
Trees, beautiful trees….

The parks and reserves that make up CERRA are home to a magnificent and diverse range of plant life.  From some of the tallest trees in NSW found in Cunnawarrra National Park to the delicate grasslands of Barrington Tops National Park.

CERRA protects the most extensive areas of subtropical rainforest in the world, which is lucky because 200 of the plant species found in these reserves are classified as rare and threatened with risk of extinction. Since European invasion over three -quarters of Australia's rainforests have been either destroyed or heavily degraded. 

The total area of land is 366 500 hectares, covering 2 states, NSW and Queensland.
There are five types of rainforests represented in the CERRA group, with some of the last old-growth type forest left in Australia living here. This vegetation is the oldest in Australia, with many of the plants belonging to the Gondwana group. Gondwana is the name given to the supercontinent  that used to cover a massive proportion of the earth.  Before attempting the activities below, click here to see the break up of this supercontinent.
Activities
a. CERRA reserves contain 5 types of rainforests.  Can you list these rainforests? What is a littoral rainforest and what type of plants would you be expected to find in such a forest?  Name the Nature Reserve that contains the largest remaining stand of littoral rainforest in NSW.  Is this nature reserve part of CERRA?   Create a Word document to record your answers on and email to class teacher.
Check out these sites to help you along:  Many trees and plants have unique characteristics that have made them adaptable to their environment, i.e. able to live where they live. Buttressed roots is one such adaptation. Many rainforest trees such as the Strangler Fig and Rosewood have buttressed roots.  To find out more information on rainforests and buttressed roots look here.
b. Find the botanical name for the Strangler Fig, Hoop Pine and Black Bean trees. When you have found the trees scientific names, use this to gather more info on each tree. Try using a search engine to see if you can find some images of these magnificent trees. (Hint: if you are having trouble finding an image try looking here).
Record your answers on the Word document you have already created for the activity above.
 

c. Explore the threatened species website and find two plants that live in the forests of CERRA  that are listed as threatened. What factors may have caused this particular species to become threatened?  (Hint: search each park/reserve individually to gather information on what plant species are found there). Record your answers on the Word document you have already created.

* For those with a keen interest in this area try out the activities in this virtual field trip of a rainforest.

Email your completd Word document to class teacher
 
 
 
Activity One
Activity Two
Activity Four
 

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