Regional ecosystem details for 3.5.3
| Regional ecosystem | 3.5.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 4, (3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 10000 ha; Remnant 2021 10000 ha |
| Short description | Semi-deciduous notophyll vine forest restricted to Carnegie Tableland |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Semi-deciduous notophyll vine forest composed of a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees. Deciduous buttressed emergent trees of Ficus albipila var. albipila are sometimes present. Common deciduous canopy trees include Bombax ceiba, Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Ficus virens (white fig), Miliusa horsfieldii, Terminalia sericocarpa (Damsonwood) and Antiaris toxicaria var. macrophylla. Common evergreen canopy trees include Alstonia scholaris (milky pine), A. spectabilis subsp. spectabilis, Acmenosperma claviflorum, Beilschmiedia obtusifolia (walnut), Buchanania arborescens (native mango), Blepharocarya involucrigera (rose butternut), Elaeocarpus grandis (blue quandong), Syzygium bamagense, Calophyllum sil and Endiandra longipedicellata (buff walnut). The mid-dense sub- canopy often includes Cryptocarya endiandrifolia, Toechima daemelianum, Arytera bifoliolata (Cape coogara), Chionanthus ramiflorus (native olive) and Acmenosperma claviflorum and the palms Caryota albertii, Ptychosperma elegans and Archontophoenix cunninghamiana. A very sparse shrub/low tree layer is usually present with Tabernaemontana orientalis, Ixora timorensis, Phaleria octandra, Atractocarpus sessilis, Myristica insipida and Syzygium fibrosum the most commonly encountered species. Thick robust lianas such as Austrosteenisia stipularis and Entada phaseoloides, and thin wiry vine such as Flagellaria indica are common. Epiphytes are sparse. The ground layer is very sparse, and composed mainly of seedlings. Occurs on red earths on the Carnegie Tableland. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.5.3x1: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is not mapped. Welchiodendron longivalve (yellow box-penda) dominates the dense uneven canopy (4-14m tall). Acacia polystachya, Terminalia muelleri (Mueller's damson) and Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine) are frequently codominant canopy trees. Occasional Eucalyptus spp. may be present as emergents. A mixed, sparse sub-canopy layer (2-8m tall) is sometimes present, with Dalbergia densa frequently present at high densities. A variable, but generally sparse shrub layer (0.5-2m tall) is usually present with Alyxia spicata (chain fruit), Drypetes deplanchei (yellow tulip), Dalbergia densa, Acacia brassii, A. polystachya and the vine Abrus precatorius frequently occurring. The ground layer is very sparse and composed of a variable mix of herb species. Scleria spp., Schizachyrium spp., Curcuma australasica and Cheilanthes spp. are characteristically found in this layer. Occurs on small sandplains on islands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2c). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner and Clarkson (in prep), 11, Stanton & Fell (2005) 55 in part |
| Special values | 3.5.3: The vulnerable plant species Syzygium velarum and near threatened species Litsea macrophylla, Pandanus zea and Syzygium buettnerianum occur in this ecosystem. High numbers of endemic plant species present. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: No deliberate fire management required within this unit. Undertake fuel reduction burns in surrounding vegetation utilising multiple small fires throughout the appropriate season to manage biodiversity values and to limit the extent and reduce risks of wildfire. ISSUES: Fire sensitive vegetation type. |
| Comments | 3.5.3: Restricted to lateritic Carnegie Tableland north of Bamaga. Clearing for grazing and horticulture are the main threats. Invasion of weed species is another threatening process. 3.5.3x1: Not mapped. Absorbed into vegetation communities included in the Torres Strait mapping. Badu and Moa 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.
