Regional ecosystem details for 3.3.42
| Regional ecosystem | 3.3.42 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Extent in reserves | This regional ecosystem is now mapped as either 3.3.49 or 3.3.68. |
| Short description | Melaleuca viridiflora low woodland in drainage areas |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as either 3.3.49 or 3.3.68. Low woodland of Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree) +/- emergent Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood). Scattered trees are often found in a sparse sub-canopy, and the shrub layer is very sparse. A variant with a different mix of subdominants occurs near the Jardine River mouth. Occurs on drainage areas. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.3.42a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.3.49. Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree) dominates the sparse canopy (5-11m tall). Emergent trees of Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) (7-23m tall) are sometimes present. Scattered low trees (2-5m tall) such as Acacia spp. (wattles), Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa (liniment tree) and Banksia dentata (banksia) may be present and a very sparse layer of shrubs (0.3-2m tall) may sometimes be present. The ground layer is sparse to dense and dominated by graminoids. Schizachyrium spp. (fire grass), Scleria spp. (milk drop sedge), Fimbristylis spp., Eremochloa bimaculata (poverty grass), Aristida dominii (three-awned speargrass) and Schoenus sparteus are some of the frequent species in this layer. Occurs on drainage areas. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21a). 3.3.42b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.3.49. Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved paperbark) dominates the sparse canopy (8-12m tall), with Corymbia novoguinensis, Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp mahogany), M. stenostachya (fibre-barked teatree) and Parinari nonda (nonda plum) occurring in the canopy at lower densities. Banksia dentata (tropical banksia) and Petalostigma pubescens (quinine) dominate the sparse low tree layer (3-4m tall). The ground and shrub layers are sparse. Occurs on drainage areas behind coastal dunes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21a). 3.3.42c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.3.68. Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. platyphylla +/- Pandanus spp. and Acacia leptocarpa shrubland (3-6m, and up to 10m where swampy). A. auriculiformis may also be prominent in the canopy adjacent to brackish wetlands. Occurs on alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). |
| Special values | 3.3.42: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Astonia australiensis, Habenaria vatia. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Early to mid-dry season, with occasional storm burn or late dry season burn of limited area. INTENSITY: High, but low to moderate are more likely during the early to mid-dry season. INTERVAL: 1-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 1. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: A mosaic of early dry season fires will prevent extensive wildfires in the late dry season and preserve areas for later storm-burning. Storm time and late dry season burns are used to maintain suitable vegetation structure. Burn less than 30% in any year. ISSUES: Lack of fire or low intensity burns can lead to overabundant broad-leaved ti-tree. High intensity fires may be difficult to achieve because of low fuel availability and accumulation rates and typically moister conditions. High intensity fires around storm time will promote a better developed ground layer. Active burning early in the dry season creates a mosaic to minimise the spread of wildfire late in the dry season. Early burns will usually burn with low intensity and will not control broad-leaved ti-tree. |
| Comments | 3.3.42: A variant (vegetation unit 144A) occurs on the drainage areas near the mouth of the Jardine River. Melaleuca viridiflora dominates the sparse canopy (8-12m tall) with Corymbia novoguinensis (bloodwood), Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp mahogany), M. stenostachya (teatree) and Parinari nonda (nonda plum) occurring in the canopy at lower densities. Banksia dentata (banksia) and Petalostigma pubescens (quinine berry) dominate the sparse low tree layer (3-4m tall). The ground and shrub layers are sparse. 3.3.42b (vegetation unit 144B) occurs on drainage areas on the marine plains north of the Mitchell River mouth. M. viridiflora dominates this low woodland (7-8m tall), with M. nervosa (a paperbark) subdominant. The ground and shrub layers are sparse. Scattered areas throughout the bioregion. 3.3.42a: A variant on Mabuiag Island island is a Pandanus spp. dominated open forest on seepage swamps. Scattered areas throughout the bioregion including the Torres Strait. 3.3.42b: Mouth of Jardine River. 3.3.42c: In areas fringing brackish wetlands Acrostichum aureum may be frequent in the ground layer. Northern Torres Strait islands. |
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.
