Regional ecosystem details for 3.2.2
| Regional ecosystem | 3.2.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 9, 7, 4, (3), (8), (5), (2.1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 21000 ha; Remnant 2021 21000 ha |
| Short description | Semi-deciduous vine thicket to vine forest on beach dunes and ridges |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Semi-deciduous vine thicket. Dominated by a mixture of deciduous and evergreen species with Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Terminalia spp., Cochlospermum gillivraei (kapok), Erythrina vespertilio (batswing coral tree), Ficus virens (white fig), Millettia pinnata the principal deciduous species. The evergreen species often include Syzygium suborbiculare (Lady apple), Celtis philippensis, Litsea glutinosa (brown bollywood), Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree), Thryptomene oligandra and Cupaniopsis anacardioides (beach tamarind). Occasional emergents are present. A subcanopy and/or shrublayer usually includes Exocarpos latifolius (scrub cherry), Eugenia reinwardtiana (Cedar Bay cherry), Manilkara kauki (Wongai plum) and Drypetes deplanchei (yellow tulipwood) as well as canopy species. A number of thin vines such as Abrus precatorius, Cayratia cardiophylla, Hoya spp. and Cissus adnata are present in both the canopy and lower layers. The ground layer is very sparse, and composed of predominantly graminoids. Occurs on beach dunes and ridges on mainland and islands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 3a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.2.2a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.2.2. Semi-deciduous vine thicket. Dominated by a mixture of deciduous and evergreen species with Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Terminalia spp., Cochlospermum gillivraei (kapok), Erythrina vespertilio (batswing coral tree), Ficus virens (white fig), Millettia pinnata the principal deciduous species. The evergreen species often include Syzygium suborbiculare (Lady apple), Celtis philippensis, Litsea glutinosa (brown bollywood), Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree), Thryptomene oligandra and Cupaniopsis anacardioides (beach tamarind). Occasional emergents are present. A subcanopy and/or shrublayer usually includes Exocarpos latifolius (scrub cherry), Eugenia reinwardtiana (Cedar Bay cherry), Manilkara kauki (Wongai plum) and Drypetes deplanchei (yellow tulipwood) as well as canopy species. A number of thin vines such as Abrus precatorius, Cayratia cardiophylla, Hoya spp. And Cissus adnata are present in both the canopy and lower layers. The ground layer is very sparse, and composed of predominantly graminoids. Occurs on coastal dunes and beach ridges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 3a). 3.2.2b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.2.28b. Semi-deciduous notophyll vine forest often with Manilkara kauki (Wongai plum), Mimusops elengi (tanjong), Terminalia spp., Sterculia quadrifida (peanut tree), Premna serratifolia, Acacia crassicarpa (spoon tree), Drypetes deplanchei (yellow tulipwood) and Millettia pinnata (pongam). A range of species can be locally dominant including Erythrina variegata (bat-wing coral tree), Bombax ceiba (kapok), Mimusops elengi (red coondoo) and Neofabricia myrtifolia. Occurs on prograding and degrading sand dunes and ridges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 3a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner and Clarkson (in prep), 31; Stanton, Fell & Gooding (2008), D1c, D2p, D2y, D2z. |
| Protected areas | Flinders Group NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.2.2: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Alectryon repandodentatus, Arenga australasica, Dendrobium bigibbum, Psydrax reticulata. 3.2.2b: This vegetation community supports the threatened species Dendrobium bigibbum (Cooktown Orchid), Psydrax reticulata and Alectryon repandodentatus. |
| 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 | 3.2.2: High diversity of vascular plants, many with restricted distributions. West coast of bioregion and Torres Strait. Areas near settlements and road access are degraded by weeds such as rubber vine and calotropis. 3.2.2a: West coast of bioregion and Torres Strait. 3.2.2b: Restricted to Torres Strait islands. |
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.
