Regional ecosystem details for 3.12.6
| Regional ecosystem | 3.12.6 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 2 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 1000 ha; Remnant 2021 1000 ha |
| Short description | Simple evergreen notophyll vine forest +/- Wodyetia bifurcata on colluvium of granite ranges |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | The uneven closed canopy (15-25m tall) is dominated by Litsea fawcettiana, Wodyetia bifurcata (foxtail palm), Aleurites moluccanus (candlenut), Polyalthia nitidissima and Syzygium bamagense (Bamaga satinash). Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine) and Sterculia quadrifida (peanut tree) are deciduous canopy elements. A sparse sub-canopy layer (8-15m tall) and sparse shrub layer (1-8m tall) is usually present and composed of variety of species. Thin vines, such as Cissus repens and Parsonsia velutina occur frequently. Scattered plants of the climbing palm Calamus caryotoides are present. Herbs are very sparse, with the ground being covered with leaf litter. Occurs only on the slopes and colluvial sediments of granite ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.12.6a: [RE not in use]²: This now mapped as 3.12.6. The uneven closed canopy (15-25m tall) is dominated by Litsea fawcettiana, Wodyetia bifurcata (foxtail palm), Aleurites moluccanus (candlenut), Polyalthia nitidissima and Syzygium bamagense (Bamaga satinash). Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine) and Sterculia quadrifida (peanut tree) are deciduous canopy elements. A sparse sub-canopy layer (8-15m tall) and sparse shrub layer (1-8m tall) is usually present and composed of variety of species. Thin vines, such as Cissus repens and Parsonsia velutina occur frequently. Scattered plants of the climbing palm Calamus caryotoides are present. Herbs are very sparse, with the ground being covered with leaf litter. Occurs only on the slopes and colluvial sediments of granite ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2c). 3.12.6b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.12.6. Semi-deciduous mesophyll / notophyll vine forest on colluvial deposits of granite hills - Melville Range area. Occurs only on the slopes and colluvial sediments of granite ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2c). |
| Protected areas | Cape Melville NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.12.6: High levels of endemic plant species. Habitat for vulnerable plant species including Wodyetia bifurcata, Aglaia argentea and Calamus warburgii, and the near threatened plant species: Acmena mackinnoniana, Litsea macrophylla, Margaritaria indica, Pandanus zea and Syzygium buettnerianum occur in this ecosystem. Parts of this regional ecosystem are habitat for the very restricted Melicope fellii and the frog Litoria andiirrmalin. |
| 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 | 3.12.6: Seed of Wodyetia bifurcata has been pilfered by smugglers. However, seed is becoming available from horticultural specimens and risk to wild populations should diminish through time. Restricted to Melville Range. 3.12.6a: Seed of Wodyetia bifurcata has been pilfered by smugglers. However, seed is becoming available from horticultural specimens and risk to wild populations should diminish through time. Restricted to Melville Range. 3.12.6b: Seed of Wodyetia bifurcata has been pilfered by smugglers. However, seed is becoming available from horticultural specimens and risk to wild populations should diminish through time. This vegetation community is distinguished from 3.12.6a by being on slopes. It is habitat for Melicope fellii and the frog Litoria andiirrmalin. This vegetation unit is probably more widespread than is mapped. Melville range area. |
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.
