Rainforest is dominated by a dense canopy of non-eucalypt tree species over an understory of climbers (which often climb well into the canopy and become part of it), broad-leafed shrubs, tree-ferns, epiphytic ferns, ground ferns and small soft-leafed herbs. It is found on deep loamy soils of sheltered gullies at altitudes ranging from about 200 to 1200 m above sea level and rainfalls between 800 and 1500 mm a year. About 85% the area once supporting Rainforest in Victoria falls on public land while a little over one third is represented in conservation parks and reserves. All Victorian rainforest is protected from clearing and timber harvesting.
There are two basic types of Rainforest in Victoria; Cool Temperate Rainforest (CTR) and Warm Temperate Rainforest (WTR) both of which are listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (FFG).
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Flowing streams, towering Mountain Ash trees and lush tree ferns line gullies and thick forests growing around the far reaches of Eastern Melbourne.
Lyrebirds are found in the Rainforests of the Dandenong ranges.
In February 2009, 98% of Kinglake National Park was burnt by the Black Sunday bushfires. This video depicts a program contributing to the long-term recovery and management of the national park and surveying the numbers of the Superb Lyrebirds in the park – renowned for their attractive courtship displays and ability to mimic almost any sound in the forest.