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Regional ecosystem details for 12.2.15

Regional ecosystem 12.2.15
Vegetation Management Act class Least concern
Wetlands Palustrine
Biodiversity status No concern at present
Subregion 9, 4, (8), (10), (3)
Estimated extent1 Pre-clearing 17000 ha; Remnant 2021 17000 ha
Short description Gahnia sieberiana, Empodisma minus, Gleichenia spp. closed sedgeland in coastal swamps
Structure code Closed Sedgeland
Description Closed sedgeland in coastal swamps and associated water bodies. Characteristic species include Gahnia sieberiana, Empodisma minus, Gleichenia spp., Blechnum indicum, Lepironia articulata, Machaerina spp., Juncus spp., and Eleocharis spp. Occurs on Quaternary coastal dunes and beaches. Low part of coastal landscape where water collects from both overland flow and infiltration from adjoining sand dunes. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c).

Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include:
12.2.15a: Permanent and semi-permanent window lakes. Occurs as a window into the water table on Quaternary coastal dunes and beaches. Low part of coastal landscape where water collects from both overland flow and infiltration from adjoining sand dunes. Lacustrine. (BVG1M: 34a).
12.2.15b: Lepironia articulata closed sedgeland. Occurs on Quaternary coastal dunes and beaches. Low part of coastal landscape where water collects from both overland flow and infiltration from adjoining sand dunes. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c).
12.2.15c: Cladium procerum closed sedgeland. Occurs on Quaternary coastal dunes and beaches. Low part of coastal landscape where water collects from both overland flow and infiltration from adjoining sand dunes. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c).
12.2.15d: Machaerina rubiginosa closed sedgeland, with Cyclosorus interruptus and Blechnum indicum. Occurs on Quaternary coastal dunes and beaches. Low part of coastal landscape where water collects from both overland flow and infiltration from adjoining sand dunes. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c).
12.2.15e: Leersia hexandra closed grassland. Occurs on Quaternary coastal dunes and beaches. Low part of coastal landscape where water collects from both overland flow and infiltration from adjoining sand dunes. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c).
12.2.15f: Permanent and semi-permanent perched lakes. Occurs perched on Quaternary coastal dunes. Lacustrine. (BVG1M: 34a).
12.2.15g: Swamps dominated by Empodisma minus, Gahnia sieberiana, other sedges and forbs and shrubs such as Leptospermum liversidgei. Occurs on depressions in coastal sand masses fed by ground water. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c).
Supplementary description Ryan, T.S. (ed.) (2012); Bean et al. (1998), C8, C9
Protected areas Great Sandy NP, Naree Budjong Djara NP, Gheebulum Kunungai (Moreton Island) NP, Burrum Coast NP, Noosa NP, Bribie Island NP, Eurimbula NP, Mount Coolum NP, Curtis Island CP, South Stradbroke Island CP, Cooloola (Noosa River) RR, Main Beach CP (IJMA), Noos
Special values 12.2.15: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Durringtonia paludosa, Eleocharis difformis, Maundia triglochinoides, Thelypteris confluens and the ground parrot Pezoporus wallicus wallicus. 12.2.15f: A unique regional ecosystem as there are only 80 perched lakes on sand recorded worldwide. 12.2.15g: Habitat for threatened species including wallum froglet Crinia tinnula and the ground parrot Pezoporus wallicus wallicus.
Fire management guidelines INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Burn in association with surrounding vegetation. Surrounding vegetation should be burnt when swamp is wet to avoid undesirable effects such as peat fire. ISSUES: Some elements of this RE will be flammable. Though not usually deliberately burnt, fire should not be avoided. This RE will often burn in association with surrounding ecosystems. Moist conditions are desirable for any planned burning activities in this ecosystem.
Comments 12.2.15: This ecosystem has been subject to disturbance and extensively in filled or modified by urban development in the south of bioregion and the RE is considered to be endangered in this area. 12.2.15g: Unique wetland type colloquially referred to as patterned fens. Restricted to K'gari\Fraser Island, Cooloola area and Mulgumpin\Moreton Island.

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.

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Licence
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Last updated
16 November 2023