THE world's largest trees %u2013 including the giants on the Atherton Tableland %u2013 are facing a bleak future because of habitat fragmentation and climate change, a Cairns scientist says.

James Cook University ecologist Bill Laurance said big trees, such as the Far North’s kauri pines and giant fig trees, were under threat because many had lost the protective buffer of surrounding forest due to logging for farming and
agriculture.

This habitat fragmentation exposes the giant trees to stronger winds and drier conditions, which is a particular threat in the Far North because of the high risk of cyclones, he said.

"To persist, big trees need a safe place to live and long periods of stability," he said.

"A lot of the things we found were higher rates of tree mortality, especially among the big trees. I think potentially they’re an endangered legacy."

Prof Laurance is also concerned that rising air temperatures could stunt tree growth and cause the giant trees to die off.

Trees consume energy to survive in warmer temperatures, meaning there is less energy available for tree growth, he said.

The demise of the giant’s of the rainforest would have substantial impacts on biodiversity and forest ecology, while worsening climate change, Prof Laurance said.

Giant trees offer critical habitat and forage for wildlife and old trees also lock up carbon dioxide.

Prof Laurance said there were promising efforts in the Far North to replant forests to create a protective buffer for giant trees.

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