Regional ecosystem details for 3.5.15
| Regional ecosystem | 3.5.15 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Contains Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 3 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 3000 ha; Remnant 2021 3000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca viridiflora and Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa low woodland on residual sandy plains |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Low woodland or tall shrubland (7-10m) of Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved paperbark) often with a range of codominant to subdominant species including Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa and Corymbia spp. Can occur as a sedgeland with scattered M. viridiflora and A. symphyocarpa emergent shrubs. Occurs on residual sandy plains. Contains Palustrine. (BVG1M: 21a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.5.15a: Low woodland or tall shrubland of Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved paperbark) often with codominant M. saligna, Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa or Corymbia stockeri (gum-topped bloodwood), C. nesophila (Melville Island bloodwood) and C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- Parinari nonda (nonda plum) +/- Livistona muelleri. The Corymbia spp. sometimes occur as emergents. The shrub layer typically contains canopy species and A. brassii +/- Styphelia ruscifolia +/- Xylomelum scottianum +/- Acacia spp. +/- Banksia dentata (tropical banksia). The ground cover is generally Themeda spp. (well-drained soils) to sedges (poorly drained soil) with Eriachne triseta, Schoenus sparteus and Heteropogon triticeus (giant speargrass) also consistently present graminoids. Occurs on residual sands on Torres Strait Islands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21a). 3.5.15b: Dapsilanthus spathaceus open sedgeland. Scattered emergent shrubs of Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved paperbark) and Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa +/- A. brassii +/- Banksia dentata (tropical banksia) +/- Pandanus spp. usually occur, and in some instances form an open shrubland. Occurs on residual sandplains. Contains Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34f). |
| 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 | 3.5.15: The variant, vegetation unit 145A, occurs on the sandy depositional plains near the Kennedy River on Lakefield National Park. M. viridiflora dominates the low woodland (8-12m tall), with Grevillea glauca, Erythrophleum chlorostachys and Petalostigma pubescens also frequent in the canopy. Corymbia clarksoniana was the most frequent emergent tree (12-18m tall). The sparse sub canopy tree (3-8m tall) and shrub (0.5-2m tall) layers were dominated by Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa, and contained some species such as Calycopeplus casuarinoides and Neofabricia mjoebergii, which are not normally present in 3.5.15. The ground layer is mid-dense and contains a variety of herb species. It is dominated by Schizachyrium spp., Thaumastochloa spp., Panicum spp. and Fimbristylis spp. A number of ephemeral forbs were recorded. Torres Strait islands and south of Cape Melville. 3.5.15a: C.stockeri is likely to be C.stockeri subsp. peninsularis. Torres Strait islands. 3.5.15b: Occurs in mosaic patches with 3.5.15a on Torres Strait Islands. Moa Island, Torres Strait. |
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.
