Friggin Flying Fox
August 21, 2010 – 10:10 amIn 2007 one of the largest trees in the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens Palm Grove died. The tree, a Pacific Kauri, (Agathis moorei) was collected in New Caledonia in 1853 by Charles Moore, the Gardens’ Director at the time. The demise of the tree is attributed to the roosting habit of a grey-headed Flying Fox colony.
The flying fox colony, over 20,000 critters strong, has also been responsible for the devastation of another 18 significant trees in the Gardens and damage to an additional 300 trees and palms. The bats have literally set up ‘camp’ in the Gardens and are causing damage x3.
- The large number of bats, particularly when roosting and breeding, break branches and strip trees of leaves and new shoots.
- The loss of shade when the upper canopy dies (from roosting bats) damages or kills trees and plants underneath that are not suited to full sunlight.
- Large amounts of guano kills the living tips of palms and other plants in the lower storeys.
Attempts to move and deal with the bats has been controversial as these flying foxes are listed as a vulnerable species. They play an important role as pollinators in the Australian ecosystem. But Australia’s population of grey headed flying fox has declined by 30 per cent in the past decade because its food source – these are nectar and fruit eating bats – is being threatened – the coastal forests which they rely on for blossoms are being cleared. So, it’s a battle, with all sides struggling to do the right thing – nature at odds with human intervention.
But back to the dead tree.
The Kauri Project was developed in response to the downing of the dead Pacific Kauri. Similar to the 2001 Onetree project in the UK, the Kauri Project commemorates the tree by distributing its wood to local craftspeople who will produce and exhibit the results of their wood crafts. All items will be for sale with proceeds used to replant and conserve the Palm Grove and its Kauri trees.
I like Richard Raffan’s turned bowls the best – simply beautiful. The wood crafts are on display at the Gardens starting today, August 21 through to August 29. You can get information on sales from the Botanic Gardens Trust office or by email.