Australian National Botanic Gardens - Rainforest Gully Interpretive Sign, Canberra, ACT

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Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, ACT

The Australian National Botanic Gardens are located on 220 acres (90 hectares) under Black Mountain Telecommunications Tower in the Canberra suburb of Acton, ACT, Australia. At present just 99 acres (40 hectares) of the site is under plantings with future planting dependent on funding.
Canberra frequently experiences sub-zero temperatures in winter and snow or frost are not uncommon. In summer, temperatures can reach 45 degrees Celsius.
When plans were announced as far back as 1933, via a government report, to establish a National Botanic Gardens in Canberra, one which included a tropical rainforest, they would surely have been met with considerable scepticism, if not even ridicule.
Nevertheless, the plan was indeed funded and carried out with the first plantings occurring in 1949. The official opening however did not take place until October 1970.
The Australian Rainforest, just one section of these diverse National Botanic Gardens, was established in a gully on the site. Today a walk from the bottom of the gully to the top is a rare pleasure in a place where a rainforest is the last thing one might expect to find.
At the bottom of the gully are planted cool temperate rainforest, species from Tasmania, Victoria and high-altitude areas of NSW and Queensland. As one progresses up the gully warm temperate species make an appearance followed by dry and subtropical rainforest species. At the top of the gully, and perhaps the most surprising, is that many species from tropical North Queensland have survived, and in fact done well.
The strategy, well thought out at the garden's establishment many years ago, was to use the existing Eucalypts, Acacias and other native species as protective cover. Where overhead cover was missing other fast growing pioneer species were planted. Progressively rainforest trees were systematically established under the existing plants and additionally planting of pioneer species was carried out. As the hardier rainforest species gained in height, and therefore less susceptible to frost, the removal of non-rainforest pioneers was gradually accomplished.
Today there are still a few large eucalypts present in the upper gully areas however as they age, they are being removed and the advanced rainforest trees are doing their job.
This rainforest is a credit to those who had the foresight and patience to persist over many years, no doubt encountering scepticism from funding authorities along the way. The result today, a fine educational example of the species diversity of Australian rainforests.
The vision is undeniably still strong, along with a determination to continue the work to create an ultimately sustainable ecosystem, subject to continuing availability of water.
Of course, none of it would have been possible without water, and lots of it daily, particularly in summer.
In the cooler lower parts of the gully water is regularly administered via misting irrigation systems.
The various irrigation systems used throughout the site are both complex and intricate in their dispersal of water. They are continually being monitored for efficiency and minimisation of water usage.
One of the most educationally beneficial aspects of these excellent rainforest gardens is the exceptional plant labelling evident throughout the entire garden.
Of course, the National Botanic Gardens is not all just rainforest. As one walks outside the gully the species on display progress to drier climate native species making these gardens a great place to visit by people with a diversity of interests in botany.

IDENTIFYING AUSTRALIAN RAINFOREST PLANTS,TREES & FUNGI - Flick Group --> DATABASE INDEX

Taken in: Australia / ACT / Acton (show map)

Taken on: April 19, 2024

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Australian National Botanic Gardens

Rainforest Gully

Interpretive Sign

Canberra

ACT

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anbgc

Australian Rainforest Education

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Sets appears in: • Australian National Botanic Gardens - Canberra • Signs / Informational & Interpretive

Groups appears in: • IDENTIFYING AUSTRALIAN RAINFOREST PLANTS,TREES and FUNGI

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