NATIONAL WILDERNESS RED INDEX

Published by the Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd. 30/09/94
Level 2, 332 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000.
Ph (02) 9261 2400; Fax (02) 9261 2144.

Name:

MELVILLE ISLAND

Nominated by:

Not recorded

Location:

Not recorded

Size
For size and tenure information contact the Colong Foundation.

DESCRIPTION

The Melville wilderness area occupies the eastern half of Melville Island. The
Island is a large block of Cretaceous sediments with hills rising to 120 metres
above sea level. Considerable areas of low lying swamp occur around the
coastline. most of the wilderness area drains to the northern side of the
island. [1]

Melville island contains significant areas of semi-evergreen vine forests
(monsoon forests). Eucalypt forests are found over large areas with the dominant
species being Darwin Stringybark )Eucalyptus tetrodonta) and Woollybutt
(Eucalyptus miniata). In swampy areas, scrubs dominated by screw pines
(Pandanaus spp.) and Melaleucas are found.
[2]

Fauna within this area is thought to be representative of northern Australia,
although it is apparently poor in its representation of small mammals, possibly
due to its being an island. [3]

STATE FORESTS

ENDANGERED SPECIES

LAND USE HISTORY


Some logging has occurred within the area. [4]

CONSERVATION HISTORY

THREATS

CONTACTS

No contacts are recorded from that area.
ENDNOTES
1
Prineas, P., Lembit, R., Fisher, N., 1986, "Australia's Wilderness An
Inventory".

2
Prineas, 1986.

3
Prineas, 1986.

4
Prineas, 1986.

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