Research and The Authority

Understanding our rainforests

If we are to protect the rainforest for future generations, we must understand it. The first step is to learn more about the extraordinary diversity of animals and plants and how they interact. Scientists also need to understand the changes taking place - both naturally occurring and human induced. Research results then need to be incorporated into how the World Heritage Area is managed.

Scientific Advisory Committee

The Wet Tropics Scientific Advisory Committee was set up to advise the Authority's Board on scientific matters relevant to managing World Heritage Area. Members of the scientific community nominate for the committee and are appointed by the Board every three years. The committee meets several times a year to identify and evaluate research needs in all areas of science including the social, biological and physical sciences. The committee also evaluates the effectiveness of management strategies supported by the Authority, and may also be called upon to examine and advise on development proposals and perceived threats to the World Heritage Area.

2012 Student Research Grant Scheme

Oneof the key responsibilities of the Authority is to promote research and help improve knowledge and management of about the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
The Authority’s Student Research Grant Scheme has been established to support well conceived research projects that are aligned with the key research areas and their associated questions which are covered in detail in the Research Strategy.

Funding of up to $4,000 is available for PhD and masters research projects (maximum two years), and up to $1,500 for honours projects (maximum one year).

Guidelines for funding can be downloaded here

Application forms can be downloaded here

Closing date for the next round is 17 February 2012.

Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Research Strategy 2010-2014

WTMA recognises research as being a necessary and valuable component of effective natural area management. Scientific research supports integrated and adaptive management by providing an objective and defensible basis for making decisions and developing policy. Efficient transfer and application of scientific knowledge is crucial to successfully meeting the challenge of transmitting to future generations a resilient Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area (WTQWHA) in a better condition than we inherited.

The Wet Tropics of Queensland is a learning landscape that provides outstanding opportunities for collaborative research across disciplines such as ecology, climatology, tourism, sociology and economics based on tropical ecosystems.

Through this Research Strategy, WTMA invites collaboration with research providers to build knowledge of the Wet Tropics bioregion, related environmental and cultural topics, the social and economic importance of the WHA, and how best to conserve and enhance the WTQWHA. Working collaboratively will enable better leverage of regional resources and expand the breadth, applicability and capacity of the research undertaken in the Wet Tropics. Collaboration will also foster the transfer of knowledge and continue to build professionalism in Wet Tropics World Heritage management.

This strategy lays out the Authority’s action plan for a strategic approach to the delivery of policy relevant scientific research. The priority research questions were influenced through a review of the Authority’s Wet Tropics Research and Information Needs Report (see below) and public consultation.

Wet Tropics Research and Information Needs Report 2000 [RAIN Report 2000- 266KB]

The RAIN report for the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area has been developed by the Authority and the Scientific Advisory Committee in collaboration with other regional land management agencies. The Report is the culmination of a detailed investigation into the major land management issues, state of current knowledge with respect to these issues, and the research needed to support management decisions within the World Heritage Area.

The aim of the RAIN Report is to guide the Authority and other funding bodies, research organisations and other groups with an interest in the World Heritage Area, to identify opportunities for collaboration and areas for further exploration and attention. A major emphasis of the RAIN Report is on research which will enable current management practices to be tested, provide the baseline data necessary to design robust monitoring programs and to provide prescriptions for improved management of the Area. Such an emphasis will provide a means of critically testing and improving our current land management practices while engendering closer collaborative links between research providers and users.

State of the Wet Tropics Report and Periodic Report

Each year the Authority is required to report to the Australian and Queensland Parliaments on the health of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area. The Authority provides a Periodic Report to the World Heritage Convention every six years. These reports contain up to date information about Wet Tropics research. You can read more about these reports and download them on the State of the Wet Tropics Report page.