Regional ecosystem details for 3.12.33
| Regional ecosystem | 3.12.33 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 2, (3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 2000 ha; Remnant 2021 2000 ha |
| Short description | Granite boulders covered with blue-green algae and interspersed with vine thicket |
| Structure code | Bare |
| Description | Granite boulders covered with blue-green algae and interspersed with vine thicket. Granite boulderfields. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.12.33a: The majority of this unit is covered with a mass of granite boulders up to 700 metres tall. These grey boulders are covered in a layer of black blue green algae. In places between the boulders, individual trees particularly Ficus spp. occur. Small patches of deciduous microphyll vine thicket occur on the lower slopes and occasional areas mid-slope. The epiphytic fern Drynaria quercifolia may occur on the boulders and the lower branches of the trees. Dendrobium bigibbum and D. discolor also can occur in these situations. Occurs on granite boulder fields. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29b). 3.12.33b: Open vineland/deciduous shrubland/boulder slope complex. Vine thicket species include Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Ficus microcarpa, Cochlospermum gillivraei (kapok) and Tetrameles nudiflora. The vine Aristolochia acuminata can form sprawling mats and Drynaria quercifolia, Asplenium spp. and Cynanchum viminale subsp. brunonianum can occupy sheltered pockets in the ground layer. Pockets of Pandanus spp. dominated woodland also occur. Granite talus and boulder slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29b). |
| Protected areas | Cape Melville NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.12.33: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Acmenosperma pringlei, Hoya anulata. 3.12.33a: The endemic frog Cophixalus saxatilis, the gecko Nactus galgajuga (Eborac Island gecko), and endemic skink Carlia scirtetis are restricted to this ecosystem. Potential habitat for the vulnerable plant species Acmenosperma pringlei. 3.12.33b: Habitat for Tetrameles nudiflora, a common PNG species and has a scattered distribution across Cape York and the Torres St islands. Potential habitat for the vulnerable plant species Acmenosperma pringlei. |
| 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 | 3.12.33: Occurs on Cape Melville. 3.12.33a: Occurs at Cape Melville. 3.12.33b: Mainly on Dauan Island in Torres Strait. |
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.
