Regional ecosystem details for 3.8.2
| Regional ecosystem | 3.8.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 2, 6, (7), (7.9), (5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 6000 ha; Remnant 2021 4000 ha |
| Short description | Semi-deciduous notophyll and/or microphyll vine forest on basalt |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Semi-deciduous notophyll to mesophyll vine forest commonly with Cryptocarya spp., Buchanania arborescens (native mango), Bombax ceiba, Ficus albipila var. albipila and Terminalia sericocarpa (Damsonwood). The evergreen Alstonia scholaris (milky pine) may occur as either a canopy or emergent tree. A sub-canopy tree layer is usually present and composed of a variety of species. A low tree/ shrub layer is also usually present. A semi-evergreen notophyll variant dominated by Acacia spp. also occurs. Occurs on basalt rises and cones. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2d). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.8.2a: Semi-deciduous notophyll/microphyll vine forest. An uneven, closed canopy is formed with Alstonia scholaris (milky pine), Beilschmiedia obtusifolia, Cryptocarya hypospodia, C. rhodosperma, Buchanania arborescens (native mango) and Dysoxylum pettigrewianum as frequent canopy species. Bombax ceiba, Ficus albipila var. albipila and Terminalia sericocarpa (Damsonwood) can occur as deciduous emergent trees along with the evergreen A. scholaris. A sparse to mid-dense sub-canopy tree layer is usually present and composed of canopy species plus Pisonia umbellifera, Chionanthus ramiflorus (native olive), Calophyllum sil, Myristica insipida and Ptychosperma elegans. A low tree/shrub layer is present with Glycosmis trifoliata, Cleistanthus apodus and Tritaxis australiensis the most frequent species. Robust lianas such as Austrosteenisia blackii and Piper caninum, and vascular epiphytes are frequently present, but not abundant. The ground layer is very sparse, and composed predominantly of seedlings. Occurs on basalt rises. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2d). 3.8.2b: Evergreen to semi-deciduous vine forest dominated by Buchanania arborescens (native mango), Acacia polystachya (wattle), Canarium australianum (mango bark), Beilschmiedia obtusifolia (blush walnut) and Cryptocarya hypospodia (northern laurel) with Podocarpus grayae (northern brown pine) and Syzygium forte (white apple). S. bamagense (Bamaga satinash) is also dominant where present and can also be emergent. The sub-canopy often includes Cryptocarya cunninghamii, Garcinia dulcis (Claudie mangosteen), Polyscias elegans (celery wood) and Ptychosperma elegans (solitaire palm). The vines Flagellaria indica (supplejack) and Calamus spp. (lawyer cane) are often present. The shrub layer commonly includes Atractocarpus sessilis (native Gardenia), Aglaia euryanthera, and Cleistanthus spp. as well as juvenile canopy species. The sparse ground layer often has Dianella spp. and seedlings. Occurs on basalt soils in areas disturbed by cyclones or fires. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 5d). 3.8.2c: Deciduous vine thicket on basalt slopes and plateaus. On the plateau top Corymbia tessellaris (Moreton Bay Ash), C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) and Eucalyptus leptophleba (Mt. Molloy box) are common in the canopy, though often as emergents. The canopy and understory is dominated by deciduous vine thicket species, including Canarium australianum (mango bark), Bombax ceiba, Commersonia bartramia (brown kurrajong), Cochlospermum gillivraei (kapok) and Strychnos lucida. The prickly vine Ziziphus oenopolia can be quite prominent and Entada phaseoloides (matchbox bean) and Smilax australis are also common. The vine thickets community becomes dominant on the rocky slopes off the plateau edge. Slopes and crest of basalt cones. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2d). 3.8.2d: Complex mesophyll vine forest. An uneven, closed canopy is formed from a diverse group of species. Argyrodendron peralatum, A. polyandrum (red tulip oak), Beilschmiedia obtusifolia, Castanospermum australe (black bean), Dysoxylum gaudichaudianum, Terminalia sericocarpa (damsonwood), Toona ciliata (red cedar), Aleurites moluccanus (candlenut), Ficus spp. and Miliusa horsfieldii are frequently present in the canopy. Alstonia scholaris (milky pine) are frequent emergent trees. A dense to mid-dense, sub-canopy tree layer is usually present and composed of a variety of species with Tritaxis australiensis, Archidendron ramiflorum, Carronia protensa and Elattostachys microcarpa among the most frequent species. A mid-dense to sparse, low tree layer frequently with Citronella moorei, Cleistanthus apodus, Dichapetalum papuanum, Leea novoguineensis and Phaleria octandra is also usually present. Robust lianas such as Austrosteenisia blackii and Calamus caryotoides, and vascular epiphytes are frequently present, but not abundant. Some canopy trees are buttressed, and the majority are evergreen. The ground layer is very sparse, with scattered Alocasia macrorrhizos and Blechnum spp. Occurring in places. Occurs on basalt hillslopes and plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 1a). 3.8.2x1: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 3.8.5a. An uneven, closed canopy (up to 15m tall) is formed with Bombax ceiba (kapok), Alstonia spectabilis (hard milkwood), Semecarpus australiensis, Terminalia catappa and Syzygium suborbiculare (lady apple) frequent canopy species. A sub-canopy tree layer is usually present and composed of Alectryon repandodentatus, Abutilon auritum, Dracaena angustifolia, Macaranga tanarius, Cerbera manghas, Hibiscus tiliaceus. A low tree/ shrub layer (most commonly 2 tall) is present with Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, Abroma molle, Premna tomentosa, Capparis quiniflora, Tabernaemontana pandacaqui, *Senna pendula var. glabrata, Diospyros hebecarpa, Myristica insipida, Guettarda speciosa, Leea novoguineensis, Curcuma australasica, Wollastonia biflora, Phaleria octandra, Uvaria rufa, Murraya paniculata, Mallotus philippensis. Vines such as Canavalia papuana, Flagellaria indica, Cayratia cardiophylla, Mucuna gigantea, Abrus precatorius, Stigmaphyllon timoriense and Derris rubrocalyx subsp. Rubrocalyx are present. The ground layer is dominated by Oplismenus spp. And Commelina ensifolia. Basalt islands of Torres Strait. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2d). 3.8.2x2: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 3.8.2c. Deciduous vine thicket on basalt slopes and plateaus. On the plateau top Corymbia tessellaris (Moreton Bay Ash), C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) and Eucalyptus leptophleba (Mt. Molloy box) are common in the canopy, though often as emergents. The canopy and understory is dominated by deciduous vine thicket species, including Canarium australianum (mango bark), Bombax ceiba, Commersonia bartramia (brown kurrajong), Cochlospermum gillivraei (kapok) and Strychnos lucida. The prickly vine Ziziphus oenopolia can be quite prominent and Entada phaseoloides (matchbox bean) and Smilax australis are also common. The vine thickets community becomes dominant on the rocky slopes off the plateau edge. RE is defunct. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2d). |
| Protected areas | Daarrba NP (CYPAL), Juunju Daarrba Nhirrpan NP (CYPAL), Biniirr NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.8.2: The vulnerable plant species Arenga australasica, and near threatened plant species Donella lanceolata occur in this regional ecosystem. High diversity of vascular plants, many with restricted distributions. 3.8.2d: High diversity of vascular plants, many with restricted distributions. Near threatened species in this community include Syzygium malaccense. 3.8.2x1: The endangered plant Alectryon repandodentatus has been recorded in the Regional Ecosystem. |
| 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 | 3.8.2: Vegetation community 'b' is a variation of the Regional Ecosystem caused by disturbances such as fires and cyclones. Restricted to Mount Webb area. Occurs also in drier northern Wet Tropics bioregion. 3.8.2a: Some canopy trees are buttressed, and the majority (70%) are evergreen. Restricted to Mount Webb area. Occurs also in drier northern Wet Tropics bioregion. 3.8.2b: South east of the bioregion in the Mt. Webb area, also present in Wet Tropics bioregion. 3.8.2c: Was previously mapped as 3.8.2x2. Habitat for Dendrobium bigibbum (Cooktown Orchid) and Palm Cockatoos. Restricted to Balclutha Nature Reserve (Lava Hill), SE of Coen, CYP. 3.8.2d: Was previously mapped as 7.8.3b. This vegetation community is only mapped in the Wet Tropics Bioregion but is part of the RE 3.8.2. Occurs in the Wet Tropics bioregion near Shipton's Flat as a Cape York Peninsula bioregion outlier. It is floristically closer to Cape York Peninsula communities than to Wet Tropics communities. 3.8.2x1: Restricted to Torres Strait Islands. Subject to weed incursions including cultivated plants such as Delonix regia (Poinciana), Mangifera indica (mango), Musa acuminata (banana), *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida, Carica papaya (pawpaw) and to clearing for gardens. 3.8.2x2: Habitat for Dendrobium bigibbum (Cooktown Orchid) and Palm Cockatoos. Restricted to Balclutha Nature Reserve (Lava Hill), SE of Coen, CYP. |
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.
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.
