Multiple canopies of the different species within native forests form complex layers of leaves which have a very large combined surface area and are integral to a number of functions within those old forests. These complex layers help to filter the suns ray’s which in turn helps to keep the under story moist while at the same time retaining the warmth of the day. Leaves of the over story eucalypts largely hang downwards, so any moisture runs off more easily than the under story leaves which are more splayed out or horizontal. With their greater surface area and the associated surface tension, moisture retention within those forests is maximized. Around day-break when the right conditions exist and the atmosphere above old forests is at it’s coolest, moist tree top clouds (which is not fog) often form as the moisture in these forests together with rising warm air condenses creating the wet drizzly conditions which form the classic water cycle of wet forests. The effects of vertical and horizontal turbulence within and over the uneven canopies of old forests, are important factors in distributing pollens and spores into the atmosphere above those forests, which in turn provide the nuclei for rain drops.

---

These phenomenon do not occur where mono-culture re-growth or plantations have replaced complex undisturbed native forests.

“Contrasting land use practices on either side of the Rabbit Fence are clearly visible from space”.

---

“Local suspicions of rainfall changes are supported by measurements of albedos and atmospheric convection and lifting condensation levels. Regional rainfall changes observed over half a century correlate with land clearance activities”.