Regional ecosystem details for 12.2.21
| Regional ecosystem | 12.2.21 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 12 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 200 ha; Remnant 2021 200 ha |
| Short description | Pisonia grandis low closed forest. Restricted to established cays |
| Structure code | Low Closed Forest |
| Description | Pisonia grandis low closed forest. Restricted to established cays. Pisonia grandis communities range from low open to closed forest (6-12 m in height, 60-80% FPC) with relatively large and distinctive tree canopies. The mean height of the Pisonia grandis old-growth forest is 8 m. The trees are multi-stemmed with 3-6 basal stems, and exhibit an extensive branching habit. The main trunk diameters ranged from 30-150 cm with an average of 50.3 cm. There are no understorey shrubs or groundcover species found under the intact closed forest canopies. However, open forest gaps and glades within the old-growth open forest to closed forest are commonly colonised by Abutilon albescens and Achyranthes aspera (10-40% FPC). Infrequent species include Boerhavia spp., Ipomoea violacea, Lepturus repens, *Portulaca oleracea, Sporobolus virginicus and Tribulus cistoides (2-5% FPC). Restricted to established cays. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 3a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 12.2.21a: Pisonia grandis low open forest to low closed forest, sometimes with Pandanus tectorius (Wilson, LM, NW) and Celtis paniculata (NW). Restricted to established cays. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 3a). 12.2.21b: Pisonia grandis closed forest. Restricted to established cays. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 3a). 12.2.21c: Ficus rubiginosa open forest. Restricted to established cays. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 3a). 12.2.21d: Ficus opposita shrubland. Restricted to established cays. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 3a). |
| Supplementary description | Batianoff et. al (2009) 12;Batianoff et. al (2012) 11a, 11b, 12a,12b |
| Protected areas | Capricornia Cays NP, Capricornia Cays NP (S), South Cumberland Islands NP |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. ISSUES: Do not burn deliberately. These islands are nesting habitat for seabirds; fire at inappropriate times could disrupt breeding cycles. |
| Comments | 12.2.21a: All islands in the Capricornia Cays National Park apart from North West Island. 12.2.21b: Most islands in the Capricornia Cays National Park. 12.2.21c: Tryon Island, North West Island and Wilson Island. 12.2.21d: East Fairfax Island and Erskine Island, Capricornia Cays National Park. |
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.
