Forest of Pencil pines (Athrotaxis cupressoides), at 1300 m above sea level. The ancient species, adapted to the harsh climate of the Tasmanian highla

Forest of Pencil pines (Athrotaxis cupressoides), at 1300 m above sea level. The ancient species, adapted to the harsh climate of the Tasmanian highland plateau, is threatened by increased risk of fire due to human activities plus a warmer, drier climate. In the background are the results of a fire in 1960-1961 which burnt in the peat for many weeks, virtually destroying thousands of hectares of Pencil pine forest. That fire was described as ’arguably the most ecologically significant fire to be recorded throughout Australian history’ (Malcolm Gill). The forest has made little progress to recovery after 46 years. Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Tasmania, Australia