Regional ecosystem details for 3.3.63
| Regional ecosystem | 3.3.63 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 7, 9, 4, 8, (1), (3), (6), (2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 12000 ha; Remnant 2021 11000 ha |
| Short description | Eleocharis spp. open sedgeland swamps |
| Structure code | Closed Sedgeland |
| Description | Eleocharis spp. open sedgeland to sedgeland +/- Fimbristylis spp. Occurs on floodplain and non-floodplain landforms. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.3.63a: Eleocharis spp. open sedgeland to sedgeland +/- Fimbristylis spp. +/- Sporobolus virginicus. E. dulcis is frequently the dominant species, however, E. spiralis is abundant in some areas of shallower water. Other herbs only occur in low densities. Adjacent to saline areas a range of mangrove species occasionally occur as emergents. Predominantly on seasonally flooded coastal plains, but also other floodplain landforms. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c). 3.3.63b: Eleocharis spp. open sedgeland to sedgeland +/- Fimbristylis spp. E. dulcis is frequently the dominant species, however, E. spiralis is abundant in some areas of shallower water. Other herbs only occur in low densities. Predominantly on Tertiary plateaus but also other non-floodplain landforms. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner and Clarkson (in prep), 190; Stanton, Fell & Gooding (2008), A20a. |
| Protected areas | Oyala Thumotang NP (CYPAL), Lama Lama NP (CYPAL), Keatings Lagoon CP |
| Special values | 3.3.63: Important wetland habitat. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not target for burning. Burn in association with surrounding landscape. ISSUES: Avoid peat fires by burning when there is standing water or the ground is water logged. Burn surrounding country when substrate is moist or there is standing water. |
| Comments | 3.3.63: Limited in extent. Predominantly occurs on seasonally flooded saline coastal plains above the reach of the highest tides, but also occurs in swamps on Tertiary plateaus close to the coast. Heavily impacted by feral pigs on the mainland and by feral deer grazing and trampling on the Torres Strait islands. On the Torrers Strait islands in particular, species composition is changing due to increased salinisation by increasing salt water incursions. In the Torres Strait islands, the freshwater aquatic habitat function is being impacted by Climbing Perch and Tilapia. 3.3.63a: Along west coast, but most extensive north of Weipa and south of Aurukun. Heavily impacted by feral pigs. 3.3.63b: Predominantly on Tertiary plateaus close to the west coast, but may occur further inland. Heavily disturbed by feral pigs. |
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.
