We traveled from Hidden Valley to go for a hike in Paluma Rainforest which contained spectacular views of the coast from a high point and amazing looking trees. But before this, we walked in observing the different types of forestry and bush. We got off at a common open area that was filled with different types of eucalyptus trees, mainly one being a gum tree. We’ve learned that those types of trees are low-energy consuming that produce a long, narrow leaf to conserve as much energy as possible. That area doesn’t have a thick grass bedding because of the low nutrients found in the lackluster soil, in addition to all that, we’ve learned that forest fires are a common and necessary part of the landscape, it is what helps keep the plants/trees healthy. Later on, we went into the Paluma rainforest, which was completely different terrain with a wider variety of flora and fauna. The plants competed for sunlight real estate there in order to grow on top and continue, the aid of the heavy rain from seasonal rain from the beginning of the year is very necessary for this. We learned about how there’s a fair bit of parasitic trees that help control the populations of trees by killing them to give chances to other trees that didn’t get the opportunity to grow. We’ve also discovered that brush turkeys nest in those rainforests. I was particularly fascinated with one tree, the buttress root of the quandong. Thick, widely-branched roots are anchored down into and around the growing point of the tree, which was like nothing I’ve ever seen before! Then we ended the hike with me capturing drone footage of the group on this great terrain!
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