Regional ecosystem details for 3.12.21
| Regional ecosystem | 3.12.21 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, (5), (3), (2), (4), (6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 23000 ha; Remnant 2021 23000 ha |
| Short description | Deciduous to semi-deciduous vine thicket to forest on igneous slopes |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Deciduous to semi-deciduous vine thicket to closed forest composed of a variety of mainly dry season deciduous species. Dominants can include Acacia polystachya (wattle), Buchanania arborescens (satinwood), Sterculia quadrifida (peanut tree) and Cochlospermum gillivraei (kapok). Canarium australianum (mango bark), Bombax ceiba and Gyrocarpus americanus (helicopter tree) are also common and can also occur as emergents. A very sparse to sparse subcanopy sometimes occurs with a range of Terminalia spp., Alphitonia spp., Ficus spp. and Acacia spp. The very sparse to mid-dense shrublayer often contains Micromelum minutum (lime berry), Eugenia reinwardtiana (Cedar Bay cherry) and Drypetes deplanchei (yellow tulipwood). Commonly found vines include Flagellaria indica (supplejack), Abrus precatorius (crab-eye vine) and Trophis scandens subsp. Scandens (burny vine). On some coastal areas and islands Manilkara kauki (Wonga plum) can also be dominant. Occurs on granite boulder slopes and on igneous slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.12.21a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.12.21. The uneven sparse to mid-dense canopy (5-12m tall) is composed of a variety of mainly dry season deciduous species. Cochlospermum gillivraei (kapok), Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Terminalia muelleri (Mueller's damson) and Acacia polystachya (a wattle) frequently dominate this layer. Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) and Welchiodendron longivalve (yellow box-penda) are often present as part of the canopy or as emergents (12-15m tall). A very sparse sub-canopy layer (3-7m tall) is sometimes present. The sparse to mid-dense shrub layer (0.5-6m tall) is composed of a variety of species. Vines are frequent in both the shrub and tree layers. The ground layer is usually sparse, with grasses making up the majority of the cover. Occurs on granite boulder slopes and on granite slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7b). 3.12.21b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.12.21. The uneven sparse to mid-dense canopy (5-12m tall) is composed of a variety of mainly dry season deciduous species. Cochlospermum gillivraei (kapok), Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Terminalia muelleri (Mueller's damson) and Acacia polystachya (a wattle) frequently dominate this layer. Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) and Welchiodendron longivalve (yellow box-penda) are often present as part of the canopy or as emergents (12-15m tall). A very sparse sub-canopy layer (3-7m tall) is sometimes present. The sparse to mid-dense shrub layer (0.5-6m tall) is composed of a variety of species. Vines are frequent in both the shrub and tree layers. The ground layer is usually sparse, with grasses making up the majority of the cover. Occurs on granite boulder slopes and on granite slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7b). 3.12.21x1: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.12.21. Manilkara kauki (wongai), together with Cochlospermum gillivraei (kapok), Acacia polystachya (a wattle) and Buchanania arborescens (native mango), are usually dominant. The canopy varies from 3-14m tall depending on exposure to the prevailing winds. Eugenia reinwardtiana (sweet cherry), Ficus opposita (sandpaper fig), Premna serratifolia (creek premna) and Abrus precatorius (gidee gidee) occur commonly in the shrub layer (1-5m tall). The ground layer is usually sparse, with grasses making up the majority of the cover. Occurs on granite slopes on rocky offshore islands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7b). |
| Protected areas | KULLA (McIlwraith Range) NP (CYPAL), Oyala Thumotang NP (CYPAL), Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) NP (CYPAL), Cape Melville NP (CYPAL), Muundhi (Jack River) NP (CYPAL), Lizard Island NP, Melsonby (Gaarraay) NP (CYPAL), KULLA (McIlwraith Range) RR, Wuthara Islan |
| Special values | 3.12.21: Habitat for the vulnerable plant species Ehretia microphylla, Dansiea grandiflora, Dendrobium bigibbum, Dendrobium johannis and Marsdenia paludicola. 3.12.21a: The near threatened species Acacia fleckeri occurs 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 | 3.12.21: Vegetation community 3.12.23b was amalgamated in to this RE. On headlands, grasslands in the RE 3.12.48b may be transitioning into 3.12.21 and in this case may be dominated by Acacia polystachia and Dodonaea polyandra low woodland. Mainly on Great Dividing Range and rocky offshore islands. 3.12.21a: Mainly on Great Dividing Range and rocky offshore islands. 3.12.21b: Mainly on Great Dividing Range and rocky offshore 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.
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.
