Regional ecosystem details for 3.12.35
| Regional ecosystem | 3.12.35 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 3 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 1000 ha; Remnant 2021 1000 ha |
| Short description | Semi-deciduous mesophyll and/or notophyll vine forest on igneous slopes of the Torres Strait Sub-region |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Semi-deciduous mesophyll/notophyll vine forest commonly containing Bombax ceiba (kapok) and Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine). Occurs on granite footslopes and knolls. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.12.35a: Semi-deciduous notophyll vine forest (20-25m) and occasional thicket with Bombax ceiba, Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Terminalia spp. and Acacia polystachya +/- Erythrina variegata (bats wing coral tree) +/- Buchanania arborescens +/- Manilkara kauki +/- Gyrocarpus americanus (helicopter tree). A sub-canopy (12-18m) can contain Chionanthus ramiflorus (native olive), Drypetes deplanchei and Atalaya sericopetala. The mixed shrub layer can include sub-canopy species and Diospyros spp. Footslopes on igneous volcanic and plutonic rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2b). 3.12.35b: Semi deciduous vine forest (18-25m) of Tetrameles nudiflora, Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Ficus spp., Bombax ceiba (kapok) and Alstonia spectabilis (milkwood). The sub-canopy often contains Gossia floribunda and hemi-epiphytes including Asplenium nidus and Drynaria quercifolia are common. Occurs on igneous slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2b). 3.12.35c: Semi deciduous notophyll vine forest (23-35m) including Maranthes corymbosa, Buchanania arborescens, Cryptocarya spp., Acacia auriculiformis, Syzygium forte subsp. forte, Barringtonia calyptrata, Bombax ceiba and Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine). The sub-canopy contains canopy species +/- Endiandra glauca, Polyscias elegans (celerywood) and Garcinia warrenii (native mangosteen). The well developed evergreen shrub layer can include Dracaena angustifolia, Drypetes deplanchei and Morinda citrifolia. Occurs on footslopes on metagranite. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2b). 3.12.35d: Tall semi deciduous vine forest (25-40m) with Bombax ceiba (kapok), Berrya javanica, Antiaris toxicaria var. macrophylla, Garuga floribunda var. floribunda, Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine) +/- Albizia lebbeck +/- Syzygium bamagense +/- Maranthes corymbosa. The shrub layer is often very open. Occurs on diorite knolls on a broad alluvial plain. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2b). 3.12.35e: Semi deciduous vine forest (10-28m) with Alstonia actinophylla (milkwood), Sterculia quadrifida, Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Cleistanthus peninsularis, Terminalia subacroptera, Antiaris toxicaria var. macrophylla, Falcataria toona (acacia cedar) +/- Zanthoxylum rhetsa. Alstonia actinophylla is often emergent. Occurs on diorite boulder slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2b). 3.12.35f: Acacia auriculiformis +/- Terminalia subacroptera +/- Antiaris toxicaria var. macrophylla +/- Bombax ceiba open forest or woodland (12 -23m) or occasional shrubland. The sub-canopy is relatively open. The shrub layer contains a diverse range of species. Occurs on granite hillslopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 5d). |
| Protected areas | Round Island CP |
| Special values | 3.12.35: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Arenga australasica, Cheilocostus potierae, Cissus aristata, Dischidia littoralis, Hoya anulata, Psydrax reticulata. 3.12.35b: Habitat for the vulnerable plant species Dischidia littoralis. Habitat for a wide range of epiphytic plants including Dendrobium litorale and Bulbophyllum spp. Also unusual location for Tetrameles nudiflora (usually on flooded lowland terraces). Potential habitat for the endangered plant species Cheilocostus potierae. 3.12.35c: Potential habitat for the endangered plant species Cheilocostus potierae and vulnerable plant species Cissus aristata. |
| 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 | 3.12.35: Confined to several islands within the Torres Strait. 3.12.35a: Inner island group of Torres St. Islands. 3.12.35b: Confined to Dauan Island, Torres Strait. Mangifera indica (mango) common in this community. 3.12.35c: Restricted to Moa Island, Torres St. Mangifera indica (mango) often found on community margins. 3.12.35d: Restricted to Muralag Island, Torres St. 3.12.35e: Restricted to Hammond Island, Torres St. 3.12.35f: Generally restricted to Lama and Gebar Islands, Torres St. These Acacia dominant communities are probably a product of continuous historical disturbance from wind, fire and human activity. They include Acacia polystachya low open forest on wind-swept ridgelines often associated with the vegetation community 3.12.1x1e on Hammond Island. |
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.
