Regional ecosystem details for 3.2.4
| Regional ecosystem | 3.2.4 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 7, 2, 9, 4, 1, 3 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 4000 ha; Remnant 2021 4000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca spp. open forest in dune swales and swampy areas |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Open forest to woodland dominated by Melaleuca spp. often with Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp mahogany). A very sparse sub-canopy tree layer may be present and the shrub layer ranges from very sparse to mid-dense. Occurs in regularly flooded dune swales, and swampy areas behind beach ridges. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.2.4a: Melaleuca leucadendra (weeping paperbark) open forest with M. dealbata often present as a subdominant canopy tree. Lophostemon suaveolens is occasionally present in the canopy. Where present a sparse subcanopy can contain canopy species and Dillenia alata. Scattered canopy species can exist in a very sparse shrub layer. A range of grass and sedge species occur in an often dense ground layer. Occurs in regularly flooded dune swales, and swampy areas behind beach ridges. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). 3.2.4b: Melaleuca quinquenervia (broad-leaved paperbark) open forest with Lophostemon suaveolens and Xanthostemon crenulatus occasionally subdominant. A very sparse to sparse sub-canopy tree layer can include canopy species and occasionally Acacia crassicarpa (spoon tree) and Dillenia alata (red beech). A sparse shrub layer is commonly contains M. quinquenervia and other canopy species. The ground layer is sparse to dense, with sedges and other hydrophilic species dominating the wettest areas. Associated with swamps in dunefields. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a). 3.2.4c: Melaleuca saligna open forest. Occurs on dune swales. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). 3.2.4d: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.2.4c. Melaleuca saligna open forest (15-20m). Occurs on dune swales. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). 3.2.4e: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.3.6. A mid-dense to dense, even canopy (12-30m tall) is dominated by a variety of species including Buchanania arborescens (native mango), Syzygium forte subsp. potamophilum, Deplanchea tetraphylla, Lophostemon suaveolens and Dillenia alata. Scattered emergent trees of Melaleuca spp. up to 33m in height are common, and in places form a sparse canopy. A sparse to mid-dense, sub-canopy tree layer (4-25m tall) is usually present. Dillenia alata is the most frequent species in this layer. The palms, Ptychosperma elegans, P. macarthurii, Licuala ramsayi and Archontophoenix alexandrae are conspicuous at some sites. Deciduous trees are generally infrequent. A variable shrub/low tree layer is present with Atractocarpus sessilis, Licuala ramsayi, Alyxia spicata, Calophyllum sil, Dillenia alata, Hydriastele wendlandiana and Tabernaemontana orientalis the most commonly encountered species. The ground layer is usually very sparse. Scattered ferns, Lindsaea spp., Lygodium flexuosum and Nephrolepis hirsutula may be locally abundant. Vines such as Flagellaria indica, Opilia amentacea and Smilax australis are occasionally present. Associated with swamps and dune swales. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 4a). 3.2.4x1: Barringtonia acutangulata +/- vine thicket species low woodland to open forest. Occurs in swamps and swales in dunefields. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 28b). |
| Protected areas | Cape Melville NP (CYPAL), Possession Island NP, Wuthathi (Shelburne Bay) NP (CYPAL), Lizard Island NP, Endeavour River NP |
| Special values | 3.2.4: Provides wetland habitat for flora and fauna. 3.2.4a: Provides wetland habitat for flora and fauna. 3.2.4e: Provides wetland habitat for flora and fauna. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Burn any time after the wet season when sufficiently dry to carry fire, with occasional storm. Avoid late dry season. INTENSITY: Low. INTERVAL: 4+ years. INTERVAL_MIN: 4. INTERVAL_MAX: 50. STRATEGY: Fire management in surrounding ecosystems will assist the prevention of late dry season wildfires which may burn with high intensity. Exclusion of fire not necessary. ISSUES: Avoid peat fires by burning when there is standing water or the ground is water logged. |
| Comments | 3.2.4a: A variant dominated by L. suaveolens can occur. Occurs scattered along the coast and the Torres Strait Islands. 3.2.4b: Occurs scattered along the coast and in Torres Strait islands. 3.2.4c: Moa Island in Torres Strait. 3.2.4e: This RE intergrades with sclerophyll swamp communities occurring in the same landscape position. This vegetation community is now 3.3.9b. 3.2.4x1: This regional ecosystem along the boundary of dunefields and the coastal plain. West coast of the bioregion. |
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.
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.
