Regional ecosystem details for 11.2.3
| Regional ecosystem | 11.2.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 14, 1, 2, (7.1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 3000 ha; Remnant 2021 2000 ha |
| Short description | Microphyll vine forest ("beach scrub") on sandy beach ridges and dune swales |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Microphyll/notophyll vineforest to semi-deciduous vine thicket on Quaternary coastal dunes. Commonly consists of several of the following trees: Pleiogynium timorense, Mimusops elengi, Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Exocarpos latifolius, Sersalisia sericea and Diospyros geminata. In dry, exposed and windswept locations, this RE may only reach 4-5 m, and include deciduous emergent species such as Gyrocarpus americanus and Brachychiton australis. At its best development this formation grows to 15 m and includes further species such as Ficus virens, Aglaia brownii, Polyalthia nitidissima, Canarium australianum, Miliusa brahei and Ficus spp. A shrub layer may be present with Carissa ovata, Capparis sepiaria, Eugenia reinwardtiana, Drypetes deplanchei and Aidia racemosa. Vines are common, including Cynanchum viminale subsp. australe, Jasminum didymum, J. simplicifolium, *Abrus precatorius and Cissus spp. A ground layer is sparse or absent. Occurs on Quaternary coastal dunes and adjacent swales. Best developed on secondary dune swales and areas protected from strong winds. Soils are fine to coarse beach sands possibly enriched by calcareous sediments. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 3a). |
| Supplementary description | Forster and Barton (1995), Joskeleigh; Christian et al. (1953), Littoral; Pollock (1995); Lavarack (1991); Cumming (2000); McCarthy (2000) |
| Protected areas | Shoalwater Bay CP, Cape Upstart NP, Capricorn Coast NP, Abbot Bay CP, Magnetic Island NP, MacKenzie Island CP, Broad Sound Islands NP, Magnetic Island CP 2, Charon Point CP, Keppel Bay Islands NP, Bowling Green Bay NP, Magnetic Island CP 1, Horseshoe Bay |
| Special values | 11.2.3: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Xylosma ovata. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: This vegetation requires protection from wildfire. Protection primarily relies on broad-scale management of surrounding country with numerous small fires throughout the year so that wildfires will be very limited in extent. Maintenance of fire breaks may be appropriate on flat country, but natural features will be useful as breaks in 'wild' country. ISSUES: Fuel reduction burning in the surrounding vegetation under low fire danger conditions and/or revegetation of cleared areas reduce the risk of damaging wildfires. Exotic grasses, such as Guinea grass and Buffel grass, can fuel fires that carry into and damage vine thickets. Maintain or re-establish native vegetation communities adjacent to this ecosystem. Herbicide control of exotic grasses, or short term grazing, on the edge of vine thickets will reduce the risk of wildfires damaging vine thickets. |
| Comments | 11.2.3: Occurs usually as a narrow community immediately adjacent to RE 11.2.2 or RE 11.2.5. Widespread between the Fitzroy River and Townsville, but highly localised. Reaches best development between Station Creek and the Elliot River, S. of Cape Upstart. Prone to weed invasion in some areas, particularly by *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine), *Ziziphus mauritiana (Chinee apple) and *Acacia nilotica (prickly Acacia), and is subject to clearing for coastal development. Areas within the Bowen district are particularly heavily infested with non-native species. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13 pre-clearing and 2021 remnant regional ecosystem mapping. Figures are rounded for simplicity. For more precise estimates, including breakdowns by tenure and other themes see remnant vegetation in Queensland.
