Regional ecosystem details for 3.2.27
| Regional ecosystem | 3.2.27 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Lacustrine |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 9, 2, 4, (7), (6), (2.1), (1), (3), (8) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 23000 ha; Remnant 2021 23000 ha |
| Short description | Sedgelands fringing perennial lakes in coastal dunefields |
| Structure code | Sedgeland |
| Description | Lepironia articulata (grey rush) open sedgeland around the margins of perennial lakes. It occurs in water depths of up to 1.5m. The deeper areas of the lakes are vegetation-free. On the shallow lake margins, Schoenus calostachyus, Dapsilanthus ramosus and Machaerina teretifolia may occur in sparse swards. Occasional shrubs may be present on the lake margins. Occurs along the fringes of perennial lakes and dune swales in coastal dunefields. Lacustrine. (BVG1M: 34a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.2.27a: Lepironia articulata (grey rush) forms an open sedgeland around the margins of the perennial lakes. It occurs in water depths of up to 1.5m. The deeper areas of the lakes are vegetation-free. These generally brown-coloured, tannin-rich lakes do not support many aquatic species. On the shallow lake margins, Schoenus calostachyus, Dapsilanthus elatior and Machaerina teretifolia may occur in sparse swards. Occasional shrubs may be present on the lake margins. Occurs in shallow lakes in east coast dunefields. Lacustrine. (BVG1M: 34a). 3.2.27b: The floristic composition and dominance of this vegetation community varies with locality and is determined by the interaction of such factors as substrate, water depth and frequency and duration of flooding. While shallow open water is common in these wetlands they are usually shallow and may dry completely in the dry season. The floating plants such as Monochoria spp. (monochoria) and Nymphoides spp. (marshworts) may dominate in some areas while the bottom-rooted Ludwigia perennis (water primrose), Nymphaea spp. (water lily) and Caldesia oligococca (caldesia) are dominant in other areas. Tall graminoids that emerge above the water surface such as Eleocharis spp. (bulkaru), Oryza rufipogon (wild rice) and Panicum trichoides (a native panic) are frequently present and dominate in some areas. Emergent forbs such as Aeschynomene spp., Melochia corchorifolia and Sesbania spp. also occur frequently. Occurs in dunes swales. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34f). 3.2.27x1a: Pseudoraphis spinescens or Cynodon dactylon grasslands swamps. Forbs, such as Pterocaulon spp., may be present. Emergent forbs such as Aeschynomene spp., Melochia corchorifolia and Sesbania sp. Also occur frequently. Melaleuca spp., Barringtonia acutangulata or vine thicket species may occur as emergents but are commonly a fringing woodland. Occur in dune swales. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34f). 3.2.27x1b: Phragmites grassland in ephemeral swamps in dunefields. Often occurring in a mosaic with Pseudoraphis spinescens grassland (3.2.27x1a) or Sesbania shrubland (3.2.27x1c) and ringed with Barringtonia acutangulata. Occurs in dune swales. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34f). 3.2.27x1c: Sesbania cannabina shrubland in ephemeral swamps in dune swales. Persicaria sp. may form a sparse ground layer. Occurs in dune swales. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34f). 3.2.27x2: Mixed tussock grassland or sedgeland including combinations of Fimbristylis spp., Mnesithea rottboellioides, Oryza spp. Eriochloa crebra, Ischaemum spp., Pancium spp., Dichanthium sericeum, Eriachne burkittii. Forbs are common and can include as Ipomoea coptica, Crotalaria montana and Aeschynomene indica. Emergents of Melaleuca viridiflora, Pandanus spiralis and Acacia spp. may occur. Occurs in dune swales of old degraded dunefields. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). |
| Protected areas | Wuthathi (Shelburne Bay) NP (CYPAL), Bromley (Ampulin) NP (CYPAL), Apudthama NP (CYPAL), Cape Melville NP (CYPAL), Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.2.27: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Myriophyllum coronatum. 3.2.27a: Tannin-rich lakes with low diversity of aquatic species. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: No fire management required. ISSUES: Generally non-flammable. |
| Comments | 3.2.27: Was previously mapped as 3.2.27a. These generally brown-coloured, tannin-rich lakes do not support many aquatic species. In shallow swampy areas, Gahnia sieberiana and Baloskion tetraphyllum subsp. meiostachyum may dominate a sedgeland to closed sedgeland. Concentrated in lakes within Shelburne Bay and Cape Flattery dunefields, but also along other areas of the east coast and some Torres Strait islands. 3.2.27a: In shallow swampy areas, Gahnia sieberiana and Baloskion tetraphyllum subsp. meiostachyum may dominate a sedgeland to closed sedgeland. Concentrated in lakes within Shelburne Bay and Cape Flattery dunefields, but also along other areas of the east coast and some Torres Strait islands. 3.2.27b: Shelburne Bay and Cape Flattery dunefields. 3.2.27x1a: Most commonly occur on the west coast of the bioregion. This vegetation community is heavily grazed and disturbed by cattle and feral pigs. 3.2.27x1b: On the west coast of the bioregion. 3.2.27x1c: On the west coast of the bioregion. Heavily disturbed by cattle and feral pigs. 3.2.27x2: This regional ecosystem, although occurring on old degraded dunefields, has close affinities with 3.3.61. Occurs on the west coast of the bioregion. |
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.
