Regional ecosystem details for 3.11.3
| Regional ecosystem | 3.11.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, 2, (6), (7.9), (5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 18000 ha; Remnant 2021 18000 ha |
| Short description | Simple evergreen notophyll vine forest on exposed metamorphic and granitic slopes |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Simple evergreen notophyll vine forest dominated mainly by Acacia polystachya (a wattle), A. midgleyi (brown salwood) or Blepharocarya involucrigera (rose butternut). Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Grevillea baileyana (Findlay's silky oak) Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp mahogany), Argyrodendron polyandrum (brown tulip oak) and Buchanania arborescens (native mango) are often present and subdominant in the canopy. Acacia spp. form a sparse emergent layer in places. The sub-canopy layer consists of a variety of evergreen species with Cryptocarya cunninghamii (coconut laurel), C. vulgaris (northern laurel), Dysoxylum acutangulum, Endiandra glauca (coach walnut) and Chionanthus ramiflorus (native olive) the most frequent trees. A sparse, low tree layer is usually present with Atractocarpus sessilis (native gardenia), Diploglottis macrantha, Tabernaemontana orientalis, Cryptocarya claudiana, Wilkiea rigidifolia and Cupaniopsis flagelliformis (brown tuckeroo) frequently present in this layer. Scattered slender vines such as Flagellaria indica (supplejack) and Tetracera nordtiana var. nordtiana, are frequent. The climbing palms, Calamus caryotoides (fish-tail lawyer vine) and C. australis (hairy mary) are often present, and form dense thickets in disturbed areas. Epiphytes such as Drynaria quercifolia are relatively scarce. A very sparse ground layer is composed of seedling trees, graminoids and ferns. Occurs on exposed metamorphic and granitic slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 5d). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.11.3x1: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 3.12.7. Eucalyptus brassiana (Cape York red gum) and Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) are consistently present and co dominate the mid-dense canopy (10-15m tall). A number of other Eucalyptus spp. and Corymbia spp. may be present. The ironbarks E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark), E. cullenii (Cullen's ironbark) and E. drepanophylla (grey ironbark) are often common on exposed ridges. The sparse to mid-dense sub-canopy tree layer (6-10m tall) is dominated by Allocasuarina littoralis (black sheoak), Corymbia clarksoniana and Melaleuca nervosa (woodland paperbark). The shrub layer (0.5-3m tall) is usually sparse and frequently includes Alyxia spicata (chain fruit), Breynia cernua (dwarf's apple), C. clarksoniana, Flueggea virosa subsp. melanthesoides and Planchonia careya (cocky apple). This layer may be locally dominated by Dodonaea polyandra (hop bush) or Xanthorrhoea johnsonii (grass tree). The ground layer is very sparse and usually dominated by Imperata cylindrica (blady grass) and Heteropogon triticeus (giant speargrass). Occurs on metamorphic ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9c). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner and Clarkson (in prep), 26; Tracey (1982), 12a, 12b |
| Protected areas | Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) NP (CYPAL), KULLA (McIlwraith Range) NP (CYPAL), Annan River (Yuku Baja-Muliku) NP, Mount Cook NP, Ngalba-bulal NP (CYPAL), Endeavour River NP, Annan River (Yuku Baja-Muliku) RR, Biniirr NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.11.3: The vulnerable plant species Lasjia claudiensis and Cadetia wariana, and near threatened species Acmena mackinnoniana, Margaritaria indica and Planchonella xylocarpa occur in this ecosystem. High numbers of endemic plant species. Large numbers of near threatened butterfly species. |
| 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 | 3.11.3: Iron Range and also near Cooktown. Probable mixed forest community produced by irregular fires or cyclonic damage. |
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.
