What a season!

Australian longicorn borers are known worldwide for their ability to aggressively infest eucalypt plantations. In Australia, too, longicorn outbreaks have struck plantations in Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland. By contrast, outbreaks of longicorns are rare in native eucalypt forests. Why? Well, it’s not clear, but the current theory is that to be successful, longicorn populations must develop in forests that are persistently drought-stressed. In plantations, a single species is often planted over a varying landscape that is, in some cases, too dry. Native eucalypt forests, however, generally comprise numerous species leading to a patterned landscape of species that is more resilient to stress.

Over the last couple of days I have had a couple of short forays into Mount Field National Park. This magnificent park has landscapes that range from temperate rainforest with beautiful waterfalls to extensive alpine areas with some stunning mountain topography. Mount Field National Park, along with Freycinet National Park, were both declared national parks in 1916, making them the oldest national parks in Tasmania.