AN OASIS of rare birds and plants is how researchers have described a just-discovered eco-system on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York.

Biologist Professor Craig Franklin from the University of Queensland announced the discovery during a memorial lecture for the famous wildlife warrior in Brisbane this week.

The claim is expected to increase debate on the future of the reserve, with opposition mounting to plans by Cape Alumina to mine parts of the reserve for bauxite.

Hollywood star Russell Crowe has taken up the Cape York environmental fight

Prof Franklin said what they had found was a special mix of stringy-bark forest and green forest, fed by an underground spring.

"It is an eco-system that doesn't fit under any classification system," he told The Cairns Post today.

"The water comes from a natural ground spring which feeds into the Wenlock River from a bauxite plateau."

He said the site would be a mecca for biologists with its diversity of plants, animals.

"There are about 75 bird species in and around the Wenlock River and that includes threatened species like the palm cockatoo,

"There are about 16 amphibian varieties and 25 species of reptile so it is very impressive," he said.

"Then there are invertebrates like insects, worms and snails."

Prof Franklin said he was "most excited" about its research potential.

He declined to comment on the issue of proposed bauxite mining on the property, focusing instead on the site's environmental potential.

The issue of bauxite mining on the reserve became more heated this week, with actor Russell Crowe publicly opposing such moves.

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