Regional ecosystem details for 3.11.2
| Regional ecosystem | 3.11.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 2, 5, (1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 4000 ha; Remnant 2021 4000 ha |
| Short description | Semi-deciduous mesophyll vine forest on metamorphic ranges in the south |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Semi-deciduous mesophyll vine forest composed of a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees. Frequent deciduous trees include Bombax ceiba (kapok), Ficus spp., Falcataria toona (red siris), Semecarpus australiensis and Terminalia sericocarpa (Damsonwood). Some of these trees may be emergents up to 40 metres tall. Frequent evergreen canopy trees include Alstonia scholaris (milky pine), Argyrodendron polyandrum (brown tulip oak), Beilschmiedia obtusifolia (walnut), Dysoxylum arborescens, Buchanania arborescens (satinwood), Cryptocarya mackinnoniana, Blepharocarya involucrigera (rose butternut) and Flindersia bourjotiana (silver ash). The sparse to mid-dense sub-canopy tree layer is composed of a variety of species with the palm Ptychosperma elegans usually present. Chionanthus ramiflorus, Mallotus spp., Calophyllum sil, Cryptocarya spp. And Diospyros hebecarpa are frequent sub-canopy trees. A sparse to mid-dense shrub/low tree layer is usually present with Glycosmis trifoliata, Aidia racemosa, Cyclophyllum coprosmoides, Micromelum minutum and Wilkiea rigidifolia occurring frequently. Robust woody lianas such as Entada phaseoloides and thin wiry lianas are common. Climbing palms such as Calamus australis and C. aruensis frequently occur in the wettest sites. Epiphytes are only abundant in sheltered wet sites. The ground layer is very sparse, and composed mainly of seedlings. Occurs on metamorphic slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2d). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.11.2a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.11.2. The dense, more or less even canopy (18-32m tall) is composed of a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees. Frequent deciduous trees include Bombax ceiba (kapok), Ficus nodosa, F. racemosa var. racemosa, Nauclea orientalis (Leichhardt tree), Falcataria toona (red siris), Semecarpus australiensis and Terminalia sericocarpa (Damsonwood). Some of these trees may be emergents up to 40 metres tall. Frequent evergreen canopy trees include Alstonia scholaris (milky pine), Argyrodendron polyandrum (brown tulip oak), Beilschmiedia obtusifolia (walnut), Dysoxylum arborescens, Buchanania arborescens (satinwood), Cryptocarya hypospodia, C. rhodosperma, Blepharocarya involucrigera (rose butternut) and Flindersia bourjotiana (silver ash). The sparse to mid-dense sub-canopy tree layer (15-25m tall) is composed of a variety of species with the palm Ptychosperma elegans usually present. Beilschmiedia obtusifolia, Myristica globosa subsp. muelleri, Calophyllum sil, Cryptocarya mackinnoniana, C. vulgaris and Diospyros hebecarpa are frequent sub-canopy trees. A sparse to mid-dense shrub/low tree layer (1-12m tall) is usually present with Brucea javanica, Mackinlaya confusa, Mallotus philippensis, Micromelum minutum and Myristica globosa subsp. muelleri occurring frequently. Robust woody lianas such as Entada phaseoloides and thin wiry lianas are common. Climbing palms such as Calamus australis and C. aruensis frequently occur in the wettest sites. Epiphytes are only abundant in sheltered wet sites. The ground layer is very sparse, and composed mainly of seedlings. Occurs on metamorphic slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2d). 3.11.2b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.105c (mainland) and 3.3.38c (Torres Strait). A tall semi-deciduous notophyll/microphyll vine thicket. The canopy varies from 18 to 30m with occasional emergents of Falcataria toona (red siris), Bombax ceiba (kapok) and Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine) up to 33m tall. Buchanania arborescens (native mango), Millettia pinnata (millettia), Barringtonia calyptrata (cornbeef wood), Carallia brachiata (corkwood), Elaeocarpus arnhemicus (Arnhem land quandang), Mallotus philippensis (red camala) and Pleiogynium timorense (Burdekin plum) are frequent dominant trees. Miliusa traceyi, Drypetes deplanchei (yellow tulip) Memecylon pauciflorum, Aidia racemosa (wild randia) and Arytera bifoliolata (Cape coogara) occur commonly in the sparse shrub layer (0.5-4m tall). The ground layer is very sparse with a thick layer of leaf litter. Occurs on metamorphic slopes below sandstone cap on hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7b). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton & Fell (2005) 39, 35 |
| Protected areas | Biniirr NP (CYPAL), Juunju Daarrba Nhirrpan NP (CYPAL), Cape Melville NP (CYPAL), KULLA (McIlwraith Range) NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.11.2: The vulnerable species Arenga australasica has been recorded in this ecosystem. 3.11.2a: The vulnerable species Arenga australasica has been recorded in this ecosystem. |
| 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 | 3.11.2: Mount Stuckey and Mount Altamoui area. 3.11.2a: Mount Stuckey area. 3.11.2b: This vegetation community has moved to 3.10.5c. The areas in Torres Strait have moved to 3.3.38c. Mainly in the Laura Basin. |
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.
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.
