PNG Highlands-Lowlands

The PNG Highlands-Lowlands Stronghold includes one of the world’s top seven regions for the highest plant diversity and an area supporting the highest mammal and amphibian species richness and endemism in Papua New Guinea. The area is crossed by the Bismarck Range which contains the nation’s highest peak within Mount Wilhelm National Park. This montane forest (referred to as the Bismarck Forest Corridor) forms a contiguous intact forest corridor of global significance (~204,000 ha) which extends from the alpine zone of PNG’s highest peak (4,509 m) into mid-elevation lowland forest (~700 m). The forest is home to a number of IUCN Red-Listed and little-known species, including the central range tree kangaroo (Vulnerable), Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo (Endangered), eastern long-beaked echidna (Vulnerable), and New Guinea pademelon (Vulnerable).