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

University of Queensland biologist Craig Franklin 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 land for bauxite.

Prof Franklin said what they had found was a spring-fed oasis, bordering stringy-bark forest on a bauxite plateau.

"It is an ecosystem that doesn't fit under any classification system," he said.

"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 and animals.

"There are about 75 bird species in and around the springs 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.

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

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

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

Meanwhile, Cape Alumina boss Paul Messenger said the company rejected claims from Prof Franklin that bauxite contributed to Cape ecosystems.

"Hydrological investigations conducted by Cape Alumina to date have found no causal effect or connection between the existence of bauxite in the area and the acidity levels found in the springs," he said.

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