The importance of the natural environment can be expresssed in terms of its values: ecologoical, socio-cultural, and economic. Assigning monetary value to goods and services provided by ecosystems can be a great way ensure that the environment is carefully considered during regional planning processes.
The southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) occurs primarily in rainforest habitats but can also be found in woodlands, swamps, and disturbed vegetation forraging for fruits throughout the Wet Tropics.