Regional ecosystem details for 2.2.3
| Regional ecosystem | 2.2.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, (10), (4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 18000 ha; Remnant 2021 18000 ha |
| Short description | Semi-deciduous microphyll vine thicket on coastal dunes |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Semi-deciduous microphyll vine thicket, including combinations of the species Diospyros humilis, Sersalisia sericea, Drypetes deplanchei, Strychnos lucida and Exocarpos latifolius. Occasional canopy species include Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Canarium australianum and Ficus spp.. The ground layer is sparse tussock grasses, commonly Perotis rara. The canopy may be discontinuous, with small areas of bare sand and Perotis rara tussock grassland. Occurs on Quaternary coastal beach ridges and dunes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 3a). |
| Protected areas | Finucane Island NP |
| Special values | 2.2.3: Supports locally uncommon plant species. Potential habitat for Dendrobium bigibbum (Cooktown orchid, vulnerable). |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not burn deliberately. Proactive burning around small patches of scrub to create a mosaic of burnt and unburnt country in fire adapted communities will prevent late season wildfire incursion. ISSUES: The majority of vine forest species are generally regarded as fire sensitive. Fire can be used occasionally to manage woody weeds, but fire intensity and extent should be limited. High biomass grasses in surrounding country can increase risk from fire. |
| Comments | 2.2.3: Was previously mapped as 2.2.2x2. Threatening processes include high total grazing pressure leading to wind erosion, invasion of scrubs by *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine) and inappropriate fire regime particularily in adjacent vegetation communities. |
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.
