Regional ecosystem details for 3.3.62
| Regional ecosystem | 3.3.62 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 3, (2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 1000 ha; Remnant 2021 1000 ha |
| Short description | Ischaemum australe grassland with Pandanus spp. confined to Torres Strait Islands |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Ischaemum australe tussock grassland +/- Imperata cylindrica +/-Mnesithea rottboellioides +/- Vandasina retusa. Common emergents are Acacia spp., Pandanus spp. and Melaleuca cajuputi. Where close to brackish areas Fimbristylis ferruginea and the mangrove fern Acrostichum aureum can occur. Occurs on alluvial plain. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner and Clarkson (in prep), 187, 187a; Stanton, Fell & Gooding (2008), A11a, A17a, A17e. |
| Protected areas | Lizard Island NP |
| Special values | 3.3.62: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Apluda mutica. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Commence planned burns early in the dry season, after the wet season when dry enough to burn. Use occasional storm burns but generally avoid periods of extremely hot, dry conditions. INTENSITY: Low to moderate with occasional high intensity fire, particularly where seedlings or saplings are overabundant. INTERVAL: 1-3 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 1. INTERVAL_MAX: 3. STRATEGY: Apply a mosaic across the landscape at a range of intervals to create varying stages of post-fire response. Burn 30-60% at the property level. ISSUES: A significant issue to the retention of open grasslands is invasion of trees and shrubs following long periods of fire absence, low frequency of fire or fire applied repeatedly too early in the burning season. Woody thickening is exacerbated by stock grazing combined with repeated early season burns. To mitigate against the impact of late dry season fires, commence burning early in the season and continue through the dry to break up continuity of fuels across the landscape. Sedges can be protected by burning when bases are covered by standing water. Invasive high biomass grasses can promote fire and increase severity. Variation in burn seasons and short fire frequencies promote bird diversity. |
| Comments | 3.3.62: Very restricted, being largely confined to the northern Torres Strait islands, with one area on Lizard Island. It is most extensive on Saibai Island. More extensive in the lowlands of Papua New Guinea. Small patches occur in a soakage area behind Elim Beach near Hopevale and on Lizard Island. Frequently burnt and cultivated for village gardens. |
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.
