Editing Tasmania (section)

=== Biodiversity ===
{{Main|Ecology of Tasmania}}
[[File:Hellyer Gorge, Tasmania.jpg|thumb|[[Fern]]s in [[Hellyer Gorge]], to the northeast of [[Savage River National Park]]]]
[[File:Sarcophilus harrisii taranna.jpg|thumb|The [[Tasmanian Devil]], Tasmania's state animal emblem]]

Geographically and biological isolated, Tasmania is known for its unique [[endemic]] flora and fauna.

==== Flora ====
Tasmania has [[biodiversity|extremely diverse]] vegetation, from the heavily grazed grassland of the dry Midlands to the tall evergreen [[eucalypt]] forest, [[alpine climate|alpine]] heathlands and large areas of cool [[temperate rain forest|temperate rainforests]] and moorlands in the rest of the state. Many species are unique to Tasmania, and some are related to species in South America and New Zealand through ancestors which grew on the supercontinent of [[Gondwana]], 50&nbsp;million years ago. ''[[Nothofagus gunnii]]'', commonly known as Australian beech, is Australia's only temperate native deciduous tree and is found exclusively in Tasmania.<ref>{{Cite news|date=6 March 2016|title=Why don't we have more native deciduous trees in Australia?|language=en-AU|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2016-03-07/deciduous-trees-in-australia/7200608|access-date=10 January 2022|archive-date=13 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113093139/https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2016-03-07/deciduous-trees-in-australia/7200608|url-status=live}}</ref>

Distinctive species of plant in Tasmania include:
* [[Eucalyptus regnans|''Eucalyptus regnans'' (mountain ash)]] – the [[List of superlative trees|tallest]] flowering plant and hardwood in the world, [[Centurion (tree)|reaching 100 m]] (328&nbsp;ft).<ref>{{cite web |title=Tall tree Centurion passes 100-metre mark, creating milestone for Tasmanian wilderness |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-12/new-milestone-for-australias-tallest-tree-centurion/10604588 |website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=11 December 2018 |access-date=31 August 2021 |archive-date=14 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514010002/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-12/new-milestone-for-australias-tallest-tree-centurion/10604588 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Nothofagus cunninghamii|''Nothofagus cunninghamii'' (myrtle beech)]] – the most abundant temperate rainforest canopy species found in Tasmania.
* [[Nothofagus gunnii|''Nothofagus gunnii'' (deciduous beech)]] – Australia's only winter-deciduous tree.
* [[Atherosperma moschatum|''Atherosperma moschatum'' (blackheart sassafras)]] – a co-dominant rainforest tree with a nutmeg aroma.
* [[Lagarostrobos franklinii|''Lagarostrobos franklinii'' (Huon pine)]] – one of the oldest-lived tree species, and a self-preserving timber. 
* [[Phyllocladus aspleniifolius|''Phyllocladus aspleniifolius'' (celery-top pine)]] – a celery-leaved conifer found in rainforests.
* [[Athrotaxis|Athrotaxis (Tasmanian cedar/redwood)]] – a genus comprising three extant species related to [[Sequoiadendron|sequoia]] found in Tasmania.<ref>{{cite web |title=Athrotaxis |url=https://treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/athrotaxis/ |website=Trees and Shrubs Online |access-date=31 August 2021 |archive-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831053330/https://treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/athrotaxis/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Eucryphia lucida|''Eucryphia lucida'' (leatherwood)]] – a prominent floral symbol of Tasmania and a unique [[monofloral honey]] species.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leatherwood Honey |url=https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/leatherwood-honey/ |website=Slow Food Foundation |access-date=31 August 2021 |archive-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831090909/https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/leatherwood-honey/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===== Bush tucker =====
{{See also|Bush tucker#Tasmania}}
Tasmania also has a number of [[Native species|native]] [[edible]]s, known as [[bush tucker]] in Australia. These plants were [[Foraging|foraged]] by the [[Tasmanian Aboriginals]] and also used for other purposes, such as [[construction]]. Unusual trees such as [[Eucalyptus gunnii|cider gum (''Eucalyptus gunnii'')]] had their [[Sap|manna]] used to make a [[syrup]] or an [[Alcohol (drug)|alcohol]] ([[cider]]). Other trees such as [[Acacia|wattles (acacias)]] like [[Acacia melanoxylon|blackwood (''Acacia melanoxylon'')]] and [[Acacia dealbata|mimosa (''Acacia dealbata'')]] could have their [[Wattleseed|seeds]] eaten or crushed into a [[powder]]. There are also many [[berries]] such as [[Gaultheria hispida|snowberry (''Gaultheria hispida'')]], [[fruits]] such as [[Aristotelia peduncularis|heartberry (''Aristotelia peduncularis'')]], and [[vegetables]] such as [[Mentha australis|river mint (''Mentha australis'')]], though no [[crops]] like [[maize]] that are used for large production.<ref>{{cite web |title=Edible Plants of Tasmania |url=https://www.habitatplants.com.au/hpwp/wp-content/uploads/Tas-Edible-Native-Plants.pdf |website=National Landcare Programme, NRM North |publisher=Australian Government |access-date=4 September 2021 |archive-date=4 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904234431/https://www.habitatplants.com.au/hpwp/wp-content/uploads/Tas-Edible-Native-Plants.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Fauna ====
Tasmania has a large percentage of [[endemism]] whilst featuring many types of animals found on mainland Australia. Many of these species, such as the [[platypus]], are larger than their mainland relatives.<ref>{{cite web |title=Platypus in Tasmania |url=https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/wildlife-management/fauna-of-tasmania/mammals/echidnas-and-platypus/platypus/platypus-in-tasmania |website=DPIPWE |access-date=2 September 2021 |archive-date=8 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308221910/https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/wildlife-management/fauna-of-tasmania/mammals/echidnas-and-platypus/platypus/platypus-in-tasmania |url-status=live }}</ref>
The island of Tasmania was home to the [[thylacine]], a [[marsupial]] which resembled a [[Fossa (animal)|fossa]] or some say a wild dog. Known colloquially as the Tasmanian tiger for the distinctive striping across its back, it became extinct in mainland Australia much earlier because of competition by the [[dingo]], introduced in prehistoric times. Owing to persecution by farmers, government-funded bounty hunters and, in the final years, collectors for overseas museums, it appears to have been exterminated in Tasmania. The [[Tasmanian devil]] became the [[Largest mammals#Marsupials (Marsupialia)|largest carnivorous marsupial]] in the world following the [[extinction]] of the [[thylacine]] in 1936 and is now found in the wild only in Tasmania. Tasmania was one of the last regions of Australia to be introduced to domesticated dogs. Dogs were brought from Britain in 1803 for hunting kangaroos and [[emu]]s. This introduction completely transformed Aboriginal society, as it helped them to successfully compete with European hunters and was more important than the introduction of guns for the Aboriginal people.<ref>Boyce, James, 'The social and Environmental impact of the introduction of the dog to Tasmania' in ''Environmental History'' Vol. 11, No. 1 (Jan. 2006), pp. 102–129</ref>

Tasmania is a hotspot for [[Island gigantism|giant habitat trees and the large animal species]] that occupy them, notably the endangered [[Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle|Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle (''Aquila audax fleayi'')]], the [[Tasmanian masked owl|Tasmanian masked owl (''Tyto novaehollandiae castanops'')]], the [[Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish|Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish (''Astacopsis gouldi'')]], the [[Yellow wattlebird|yellow wattlebird (''Anthochaera paradoxa'')]], the [[Green rosella|green rosella (''Platycercus caledonicus'')]] and others. Tasmania is also home to the world's only three migratory parrots, the critically endangered [[Orange-bellied parrot|Orange-bellied parrot (''Neophema chrysogaster'')]], the [[Blue-winged parrot|Blue-winged parrot (''Neophema chrysostoma'')]], and the fastest parrot in the world, the [[Swift parrot|swift parrot (''Lathamus discolor'')]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Saving the Swift Parrot |url=https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/saving-swift-parrot#:~:text=The%20swift%20parrot%20%E2%80%93%20the%20world's,for%20this%20critically%20endangered%20bird. |website=Australian National University |access-date=31 August 2021 |archive-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831085624/https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/saving-swift-parrot#:~:text=The%20swift%20parrot%20%E2%80%93%20the%20world's,for%20this%20critically%20endangered%20bird. |url-status=live }}</ref>
Tasmania has 12 [[endemic]] species of [[bird]] in total.<ref>{{cite web |title=Birds |url=https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/wildlife-management/fauna-of-tasmania/birds |website=DPIPWE |publisher=Tasmanian Government |access-date=2 September 2021 |archive-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906111619/https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/wildlife-management/fauna-of-tasmania/birds |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Mycology ====
Tasmania is a hotspot for [[Fungi|fungal]] diversity. The importance of fungi in Tasmania's ecology is often overlooked; nonetheless, they play a vital role in the natural vegetation cycle.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fungi – overlooked beauties |url=https://gardensforwildlife.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/gfw.nsf/GardenStories/1578E2AD9479A280CA2575D8002290B4?OpenDocument |website=Gardens for Wildlife, DPIPWE |access-date=31 August 2021 |archive-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831053333/https://gardensforwildlife.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/gfw.nsf/GardenStories/1578E2AD9479A280CA2575D8002290B4?OpenDocument |url-status=live }}</ref> Tasmania's southwestern wilderness hosts a rich diversity of alpine [[lichen]]s, with at least 162 documented species. The region's alpine lichen flora is particularly notable for its high level of endemism, with approximately 16% of species found nowhere else in the world. The area's cool [[maritime climate]], Precambrian geology, and extensive [[peat]] formations create unique habitats for these organisms. The lichen [[community (ecology)|communities]] differ significantly from those found on Tasmania's eastern dolerite mountains, with the southwestern species showing stronger affinities to New Zealand and sub-Antarctic flora rather than to mainland Australia. Major lichen habitats in the alpine southwest include heathlands, alpine lawns, [[feldmark]] (windswept rocky plateaus), and large rock outcrops, each supporting distinct assemblages of species. Some particularly diverse genera in the region include ''[[Bunodophoron]]'', ''[[Cladia]]'', ''[[Cladonia]]'', ''[[Menegazzia]]'', ''[[Micarea]]'', ''[[Pertusaria]]'', ''[[Pseudocyphellaria]]'', ''[[Psoroma]]'', ''[[Siphula]]'', and ''[[Stereocaulon]]''.<ref name="Kantvilas 1995">{{cite journal |authorlink=Gintaras Kantvilas |last=Kantvilas |first=Gintaras |title=Alpine lichens of Tasmania's south west wilderness |journal=The Lichenologist |volume=27 |issue=6 |year=1995 |doi=10.1016/S0024-2829(95)80004-2 |pages=433–449}}</ref>

==== Conservation ====
Like the rest of Australia, Tasmania suffers from an [[endangered species]] problem. In particular, many important Tasmanian subspecies and world-significant species of [[animal]] are classified as at risk in some way. A famous example is the [[Tasmanian devil]], which is endangered due to [[devil facial tumour disease]]. Some species have already gone [[extinct]], primarily due to [[Human impact on the environment|human interference]], such as in the case of the [[thylacine]] or the [[Tasmanian emu]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Fact check: Does Australia have one of the 'highest loss of species anywhere in the world'? (CORRECT) |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-19/fact-check-does-australia-have-one-of-the-highest-extinction/6691026 |newspaper=ABC News |date=19 August 2015 |access-date=4 September 2021 |archive-date=4 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904011442/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-19/fact-check-does-australia-have-one-of-the-highest-extinction/6691026 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Extinct Tasmanian Species |url=https://www.ourtasmania.com.au/natural-extinct.html |website=Our Tasmania |access-date=4 September 2021 |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206183813/https://www.ourtasmania.com.au/natural-extinct.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In Tasmania, there are about 90 endangered, vulnerable, or threatened vertebrate species classified by the state or Commonwealth governments.<ref>{{cite web |title=Threatened Species List – Vertebrate Animals |url=https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/conservation/threatened-species-and-communities/lists-of-threatened-species/threatened-species-vertebrates |website=DPIPWE |publisher=Tasmanian Government |access-date=4 September 2021 |archive-date=4 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904011444/https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/conservation/threatened-species-and-communities/lists-of-threatened-species/threatened-species-vertebrates |url-status=live }}</ref> Because of a reliance on roads and private vehicle transport, and a high concentration of animal populations divided by this development, Tasmania has the worst (per kilometre) [[roadkill]] rate in the world, with 32 animals killed per hour and at least 300,000 per year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to Tasmania, the roadkill capital of the world |url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/offtrack/tasmania-roadkill-capital-of-the-world/7021816 |website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=14 December 2015 |access-date=4 September 2021 |archive-date=4 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904011442/https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/offtrack/tasmania-roadkill-capital-of-the-world/7021816 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Protected areas of Tasmania]] cover 21% of the island's land area in the form of [[national park]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=1362.6 – Regional Statistics, Tasmania, 2007 |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/9A04C0D0F8F2241BCA257264000CAFFE?opendocument |website=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=6 February 2006 |access-date=4 September 2021 |archive-date=4 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904011441/https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/9A04C0D0F8F2241BCA257264000CAFFE?opendocument |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area]] (TWWHA) was inscribed by [[UNESCO]] in 1982, where it is globally significant because "most UNESCO World Heritage sites meet only one or two of the ten criteria for that status. The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) meets 7 out of 10 criteria. Only one other place on earth—China’s [[Mount Tai]]shan—meets that many criteria".<ref>{{cite web |title=Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) |url=https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/tasmanian-wilderness-world-heritage-area-(twwha) |website=Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service |access-date=4 September 2021 |archive-date=24 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175342/https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/tasmanian-wilderness-world-heritage-area-(twwha) |url-status=live }}</ref> 
Controversy surrounds the decision in 2014 by the [[Abbott Government|Abbott]] federal [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal government]] to request the area's delisting and opening for resource exploration (before it was rejected by the UN Committee at Doha),<ref>{{cite news |title=UNESCO rejects Coalition's bid to delist Tasmanian World Heritage forest |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-24/unesco-rejects-bid-to-delist-world-heritage-forest/5538946?nw=0&r=HtmlFragment#:~:text=The%20Federal%20Government%20has%20lost,reverse%20protection%20for%2074%2C000%20hectares. |access-date=4 September 2021 |agency=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=24 June 2014 |archive-date=4 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904012944/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-24/unesco-rejects-bid-to-delist-world-heritage-forest/5538946?nw=0&r=HtmlFragment#:~:text=The%20Federal%20Government%20has%20lost,reverse%20protection%20for%2074%2C000%20hectares. |url-status=live }}</ref> and the current [[mining]] and [[deforestation]] in the state's [[Tarkine]] region, the largest single [[temperate rainforest]] in Australia.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Tarkine National Heritage assessment |url=https://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/organisations/australian-heritage-council/national-heritage-assessments/tarkine |website=Department of Agriculture |publisher=Australian Government |access-date=4 September 2021 |archive-date=4 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904011453/https://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/organisations/australian-heritage-council/national-heritage-assessments/tarkine |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Loynes |first1=Kate |title=The Tarkine: more than just a forest? |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2013/February/The_Tarkine_more_than_just_a_forest |website=Parliament of Australia |access-date=4 September 2021 |archive-date=4 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904011443/https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2013/February/The_Tarkine_more_than_just_a_forest |url-status=live }}</ref>