Regional ecosystem details for 3.10.5
| Regional ecosystem | 3.10.5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 5, 2, 6, (9.3), (9), (4), (1), (8) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 4000 ha; Remnant 2021 4000 ha |
| Short description | Deciduous notophyll and/or microphyll vine thicket or forest on sandstone hills and slopes |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Deciduous notophyll/microphyll vine thicket or simple evergreen notophyll vine forest. Occurs on sandstone hills and talus slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.10.5a: Deciduous notophyll/microphyll vine thicket composed of a variety of species most of which are deciduous in the dry season and often include Terminalia muelleri (Mueller's damson), Millettia pinnata (millettia), Croton arnhemicus (hard cascarilla), Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Wrightia pubescens subsp. penicillata and Vitex acuminata (vitex). Gyrocarpus americanus (helicopter tree) and Bombax ceiba (kapok) are frequently present as part of the canopy, or as emergents. A mid-dense to dense sub-canopy and/or shrub layer is composed mainly of species also found in the canopy layer. Vines are frequent in both the shrub and tree layers. The ground layer is usually sparse, with the forbs Tacca leontopetaloides (arrowroot), Asystasia australasica, Laportea interrupta and Cyathula prostrata and grasses Panicum trichoides (a native panic) and Oplismenus spp. making up the majority of the cover. Occurs on sandstone hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7b). 3.10.5b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is mapped as 3.5.20. A fairly even, closed canopy (10-18m tall) is composed of a variety of species. Argyrodendron polyandrum (brown tulip oak), Blepharocarya involucrigera (rose butternut) and Chionanthus ramiflorus (native olive) frequently co-dominate the canopy. Scattered Ptychosperma elegans palms are sometimes present in the canopy. Eucalyptus pellita (red mahogany) and in places Syzygium forte subsp. forte form a conspicuous emergent layer (21-27m tall). A sparse, low tree layer (2-4m tall) is usually present. Scattered slender vines such as Pararistolochia deltantha and robust woody lianas such as Austrosteenisia blackii occur frequently. No epiphytes were observed in this vegetation type during the survey. A very sparse ground layer is composed of tree seedlings. Occurs on sandstone talus slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7b). 3.10.5c: Semi-deciduous notophyll/microphyll vine thicket commonly with Buchanania arborescens (native mango), Millettia pinnata (millettia), Barringtonia calyptrata (cornbeef wood), Premna dallachyana, Sterculia quadrifida (peanut tree), Brachychiton spp., Mallotus philippensis (red camala) and Celtis spp. Bombax ceiba (kapok) and Gyrocarpus americanus (helicopter tree) also occur in the canopy and sometimes as emergent trees. A sparse subcanopy sometimes occurs with canopy species. Miliusa traceyi, Drypetes deplanchei (yellow tulip), Aidia racemosa (wild randia) and Arytera bifoliolata (Cape coogara) occur commonly in the sparse shrub layer. The ground layer is very sparse with a thick layer of leaf litter. Occurs on slopes below sandstone caps on hills. Contains Palustrine. (BVG1M: 7b). 3.10.5d: Notophyll vine forest commonly with Cinnamomeum baileyanum (pepperwood), Buchanania arborescens (native mango), Dysoxylum oppositifolium (pink mahogany), Argyrodendron polyandrum (tulip oak) and Carallia brachiata are frequent dominants. The very sparse emergent layer of Araucaria cunninghamii (hoop pine) is a conspicuous feature of this unit. Acronychia laevis (hard aspen), Atractocarpus sessilis, Chionanthus ramiflorus and Gossia bidwillii are dominant species in the mid-dense sub-canopy layer. A sparse shrub layer is also dominated by subcanopy species and Polyalthia nitidissima (canary beech). Common vines include Flagellaria indica, Smilax australis and Austrosteenisia blackii. The ground layer is very sparse composed of isolated clumps of seedlings and ferns such as Blechnum medium and Lindsaea media. Sandstone derived soils on slopes below sandstone capping. Contains Palustrine. (BVG1M: 2c). |
| Protected areas | Cape Melville NP (CYPAL), Muundhi (Jack River) NP (CYPAL), Juunju Daarrba Nhirrpan NP (CYPAL), Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP (CYPAL), Flinders Group NP (CYPAL), Claremont Isles NP, Oyala Thumotang NP (CYPAL), Marpa National Park (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.10.5: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Acmenosperma pringlei, Dianella incollata, Mezoneuron hymenocarpum, Rhaphidospora cavernarum, Senegalia albizioides, Syzygium rubrimolle. 3.10.5a: Potential habitat of the vulnerable plant species Acmenosperma pringlei and Rhaphidospora cavernarum. 3.10.5b: High diversity of vascular plants, many with restricted distributions. Probable mixed forest community produced by irregular fires or cyclonic damage. With fire the rainforest elements may disappear. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: No deliberate fire management required within this unit. Undertake fuel reduction burns in surrounding vegetation utilising multiple small fires throughout the appropriate season to manage biodiversity values and to limit the extent and reduce risks of wildfire. ISSUES: Fire sensitive vegetation type. |
| Comments | 3.10.5: Mainly in Laura Basin. 3.10.5a: Mainly in Laura Basin. 3.10.5b: SUPERSEDED. 3.10.5c: Some areas of metamorphosed sandstone (formerly mapped as 3.11.2b) have been included in the RE. Mainly in the Laura Basin. 3.10.5d: Altanmoui Range. |
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.
2 Superseded: Revision of the regional ecosystem classification removed this regional ecosystem code from use. It is included in the regional ecosystem description database because the RE code may appear in older versions of RE mapping and the Vegetation Management regulation.
