Our Ancient Alpine Forests

In the field of biology, a relict refers to a species or population that once had a much wider dispersal and diversity, but is now restricted in both. The thylacine was considered a relict species, due to its restriction to the island of Tasmania despite it once inhabiting the mainland. Tasmania is home to many forests that are relicts in two senses. These cool climate forests once used to cover much of Australia and Antarctica, but now are restricted to small pockets where the temperature and rainfall can support their existence, typically alpine environments. Additionally, these forests are often composed of species that are considered relicts in their own right. These forests are interchangeably named Gondwanan or Antarctic relict forests. Both are correct!

Tasmania's relict Gondwanan forests are some of the last vestiges in Australia of a once sprawling bioregion that covered a super continent, with millions of years of history. Oftentimes, they're found  in the same location today as they have been for tens of thousands of years. These relict forests contain species that are found nowhere else, with some of these species being iconic and beloved by Tasmanians, as well as those who visit this island. Such species include Nothofagus gunnii (deciduous beech or Fagus), King Billy pine and Pencil pine (Athrotaxus spp.), Huon pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii), and Pandani (Richea pandanifolia).