Len Webb Ecological Images Collection

Image No. 5-8

Disturbance -- Cyclones Typical cycloned tropical lowland rainforest on foothills, locally termed "cyclone scrub" Harvey's Creek near Babinda, Queensland November 1956 Larger image (120K)

Wet tropical lowland rainforest (complex mesophyll vine forest) subject to constant intermittent cyclone damage, so that cyclones might well be considered one of the primary environmental/ecological factors, e.g. along with climate.
Besides being regularly damaged by cyclones, resulting in abundant vine growth and "climber (vine) towers", these accessible types were logged from the earliest days of European settlement for their prized cabinet woods.
Reference:
Webb, L.J. (1958) "Cyclones as an ecological factor in tropical lowland rain forest, North Queensland". Australian Journal of Botany Vol. 6: 220-228.

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