Regional ecosystem details for 3.1.1
| Regional ecosystem | 3.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Intertidal |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 7, 3, 4, 1, 2, 9, (6), (8), (5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 82000 ha; Remnant 2021 82000 ha |
| Short description | Rhizophora stylosa and/or Bruguiera spp. closed forest |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Rhizophora stylosa (stilted mangrove) or Bruguiera spp. closed forest. Occurs in downstream to intermediate estuarine areas in the mid to low intertidal zones throughout the bioregion. Intertidal. (BVG1M: 35a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.1.1a: Closed forest to low closed forest of Rhizophora stylosa (stilted mangrove) +/- Bruguiera gymnorhiza (orange mangrove) +/- B. cylindrica (reflexed orange mangrove) +/- Avicennia marina (grey mangrove). Emergent A. marina and R. stylosa can occur. A sub canopy of similar species can occur but more commonly a very open shrub layer of canopy species and a range of other mangrove species is present. Occurs in downstream estuarine areas in the mid to low intertidal zones throughout the bioregion. Intertidal. (BVG1M: 35a). 3.1.1b: Closed forest often containing Bruguiera parviflora and/or B. gymnorhiza (orange mangrove). Occurs in downstream to intermediate estuarine areas in the mid to high intertidal zones. Intertidal. (BVG1M: 35a). 3.1.1c: Open forest of Heritiera littoralis (looking-glass mangrove) +/-Melaleuca cajuputi (cajuput). An Acrostichum speciosum (mangrove fern) fern land often dominates the ground layer. Occurs in intermediate estuarine areas in the high intertidal zones. Intertidal. (BVG1M: 35a). |
| Protected areas | Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP (CYPAL), Cape Melville NP (CYPAL), Endeavour River NP, Apudthama NP (CYPAL), Wuthathi (Shelburne Bay) NP (CYPAL), Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) NP (CYPAL), Annan River (Yuku Baja-Muliku) NP, Bromley (Ampulin) NP (CYPAL), Wuthathi (Sau |
| Special values | 3.1.1: Highest structural and floristic development of mangroves in Australia. Important habitat for estuarine crocodiles, and vulnerable butterfly Hypochrysops apollo and two other jewel butterflies H. narcissus and H. apelles. Potential habitat for vulnerable plant species Crudia papuana and Dendrobium johannis. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: No fire management required. ISSUES: Non-flammable vegetation. Mangroves do not require fire. |
| Comments | 3.1.1: Lines tidal rivers. Vegetation communities 3.1.1b & 3.1.1c only occur in small areas throughout the bioregion. Occurs in mainly low intertidal zones throughout the bioregion. 3.1.1a: Also mapped in the Torres Strait, where it can occur as a Pemphis acidula (digging-stick tree) and Osbornia octodonta (myrtle mangrove) shrubland. Occurs in tidal zones throughout the bioregion. 3.1.1b: It occurs in a zone landward of the Rhizophora spp. closed forest on estuarine mudflats and alluvial stream banks flooded by spring tides to shallow depths (<0.5m), but is not always present. The substrate is firm, fine-grained mud, which is constantly reworked and tunnelled by burrowing organisms. Occurs close association with 3.1.1a and around the extent of the coastline but is not always present. 3.1.1c: Where it occurs this community occupies a narrow band on the landward side of more typical mangrove communities where there is some freshwater seepage. Nypa fruticans (mangrove palm) also occurs in the tidal reaches of the Wenlock, Ducie, Pascoe and McIvor Rivers. Occurs in tidal zones near Cooktown and in the Torres Strait Islands. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13.1 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.
