Introduction to the Biology and Ecology of Gibraltar Range National Park and Adjacent areas: Patterns, Processes and Prospects

Abstract

Papers on the biology and ecology of Gibraltar Range National Park were sought to reflect the increased research focus on the area over the past decade. The 12 papers, published here, come from a variety of natural history disciplines. This collection of papers reflects the start that has been made, and, hopefully, will stimulate further biological and ecological investigation of Gibraltar Range National Park. Gibraltar Range National Park was first dedicated in the 1960s following the construction of the Gwydir Highway connecting Glen Innes and Grafton in northern NSW. Prior to this the area had been used for grazing, prospecting, forestry and had been surveyed for the potential use of hydroelectricity. However, it remained little explored in terms of its biology and ecology until the 1960s and 70s when John B. Williams began to collate species lists and describe the broad patterns of vegetation (Williams 1970, 1976).