Regional ecosystem details for 3.7.1
| Regional ecosystem | 3.7.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 7, 4, 6, 1, (8), (3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 2000 ha; Remnant 2021 2000 ha |
| Short description | Semi-deciduous notophyll and/or microphyll vine thicket on isolated lateritic hill slopes |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Semi-deciduous notophyll vine thicket with dominants including Gyrocarpus americanus, Drypetes deplanchei (yellow tulip), Wrightia pubescens subsp. penicillata (chertie), Croton arnhemicus, Garuga floribunda var. floribunda, Aidia racemosa (wild randia), Bombax ceiba (kapok), Celtis sp. (Cape Melville D.G.Fell+ DGF3025), Millettia spp. and Strychnos lucida (strychnine bush). Occasional emergents include Acacia polystachya and some canopy species. The sparse to mid-dense shrub usually contains Ziziphus oenopolia and canopy species. The very sparse to sparse ground layer includes grass and sedge species plus seedlings of canopy species. Occurs on scattered lateritic hillslopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.7.1x1a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.5.33. A mid-dense to dense, uneven canopy (12-35m tall) is often dominated by the evergreen trees Welchiodendron longivalve (yellow box-penda), Emmenosperma alphitonioides, Halfordia kendack, Syzygium forte subsp. Forte, Acmena hemilampra subsp. Hemilampra and Flindersia ifflaiana. Other frequent canopy trees that may be codominants in places include Acacia polystachya, Blepharocarya involucrigera (rose butternut), Alstonia actinophylla (milkwood), Buchanania arborescens (native mango), Podocarpus grayae, Sterculia quadrifida and Endiandra glauca. Occasional evergreen emergent trees up to 40 metres tall are present. A number of species may be present in the sparse to mid-dense sub-canopy layer (10-22m tall) with Endiandra glauca (coach walnut) the most frequently encountered tree and Ptychosperma elegans the most frequent palm. A sparse to mid-dense shrub/low tree layer (0.5-10m) is usually present. Atractocarpus sessilis and Choriceras tricorne are the most frequent species in this layer. Wilkiea rigidifolia, Syzygium fibrosum, Tabernaemontana orientalis and Cryptocarya cunninghamii are often present. The palms, Licuala ramsayi (fan palm), Hydriastele wendlandiana and Ptychosperma macarthurii are frequently present in the lower tree layers. The composition of these layers varies between individual vine forest patches. Thin wiry vines such as Flagellaria indica, Smilax australis, S. glyciphylla and Strychnos minor are common, and often reach the top of the canopy. Scattered epiphytic orchids are present on the lower branches of the canopy trees. The ground is covered with a thick layer of leaf litter, and rocks frequently outcrop. Scattered ferns, graminoids and tree seedlings are usually present. Occurs on ferricrete outcrops & slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2c). 3.7.1x1b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.7.1. Semi deciduous vine thicket with Terminalia subacroptera, Intsia bijuga, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Excoecaria agallocha (milky mangrove), Thespesia populneoides and Cathormion umbellatum subsp. Moniliforme. Occurs on laterite exposures on saline margins. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7b). 3.7.1x2: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 3.5.4. A diverse group of species which includes Welchiodendron longivalve (yellow box-penda), Acacia polystachya (wattle), Buchanania arborescens (native mango), Dysoxylum oppositifolium (pink mahogany), Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Endiandra glauca (coach walnut) and Alstonia actinophylla (milkwood) dominates a dense, even canopy (18-25m tall). A number of other species may be present in the canopy and dominate in places. At some sites the canopy may only be 8-15 metres tall and be dominated by single species such as Choriceras tricorne (Cape choriceras). A sparse to mid-dense sub-canopy layer (15-20m tall) and mid-dense low tree layer (3-8 m) are usually also present. The composition of these layers varies between individual vine forest patches. Thin wiry vines such as Flagellaria indica are frequent and often reach the top of the canopy. Scattered epiphytic orchids are present on the lower branches of the canopy trees. The ground is covered with a thick layer of leaf litter and rocks frequently outcrop. Scattered forbs and tree seedlings are usually present. Occurs as small patches on weathered surfaces of rolling downs. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2c). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner and Clarkson (in prep), 32a, 32c. Stanton & Fell (2005) 56, 57 in part. Stanton, Fell & Gooding (2008), L2e. |
| Protected areas | Oyala Thumotang NP (CYPAL), Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP (CYPAL), Oyala Thumotang RR |
| Special values | 3.7.1: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Calophyllum bicolor, Crepidomanes aphlebioides, Freycinetia percostata, Hydriastele costata, Phyllanthera grayi, Sticherus milnei. |
| 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 | 3.7.1: The vegetation community 3.7.1x1b was amalgamated in to this RE. Thin wiry vines are frequent often making entry into these units very difficult. Mainly in the Laura Basin, but also in central peninsula and on some Toress Strait Islands. 3.7.1x1a: Northeast Jardine NP. 3.7.1x1b: Restricted to Saibai Island. Only a few remnants remain and may not reflect the original composition after an extensive period of nearby traditional occupation. 3.7.1x2: Central bioregion. |
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.
