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Regional ecosystem details for 7.1.3

Regional ecosystem 7.1.3
Vegetation Management Act class Of concern
Wetlands Palustrine
Biodiversity status Endangered
Subregion 2, 1, 3, (9), (6), (7)
Estimated extent1 Pre-clearing 2000 ha; Remnant 2021 2000 ha
Short description Schoenoplectus subulatus and/or Eleocharis dulcis sparse sedgeland, or Melaleuca quinquenervia low open forest, in swamps which fluctuate periodically between freshwater and estuarine
Structure code Sedgeland
Description Schoenoplectus subulatus (bulrush) and/or Eleocharis dulcis (bulkuru) sparse sedgeland, or Melaleuca quinquenervia (swamp paperbark) shrubland to open forest. Occurs on poorly drained soils with a highly organic or peaty surface in conjunction with a permanent surface watertable (often slightly brackish), on seasonally flooded marine plains. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c).

Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include:
7.1.3a: Schoenoplectus subulatus (bulrush) and/or Eleocharis dulcis (bulkuru) sparse sedgeland. May include scattered Melaleuca quinquenervia and/or mangrove species. Swamps of permanent open water that fluctuate seasonally between freshwater and estuarine. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c).
7.1.3b: Melaleuca quinquenervia open forest to woodland, and shrubland to closed scrub. Transitional saline areas. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a).
7.1.3c: Open water. Dune swales. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c).
Supplementary description Stanton and Stanton (2005), E268, E33, D260i; Kemp and Morgan (1999), 3,19; Kemp et al. (1999), 3,17; Tracey and Webb (1975), 18
Protected areas Girramay NP, Hull River NP, Halifax Bay Wetlands NP, Gulngay NP, Daintree NP (CYPAL), Hinchinbrook Island NP, Maria Creek NP, Paluma Range NP, Ella Bay NP, Russell River NP
Fire management guidelines SEASON: Early to mid-dry season. INTENSITY: Low with occasional moderate. INTERVAL: 3-10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 3. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Burn with anticipated rain as it will increase patchiness. Create burn mosaics using progressive burning. Do not deliberately burn submerged swamps but allow fire to carry into their edge. ISSUES: Avoid peat fires and maintain awareness of high biomass grasses which can increase fire intensity and spread. Avoid burning ant plants.
Comments 7.1.3: Threatened by the creation of ponded pastures and other hydrological changes. Dieback of Melaleuca quinquenervia caused by increasing salinity (often due to man-induced hydrological changes) is widespread (e.g. adjacent to several major estuaries, particularly between Innisfail and Cardwell). A favoured habitat of, and often heavily dug up by, feral pigs, although this regional ecosystem appears to be resilient and recovers rapidly in the absence of pigs. 7.1.3a: Scattered along the coast, best developed in areas southeast of Ingham, also between Cairns and Tully, and the mouth of the Hull River. 7.1.3b: Scattered along the coastal margin. 7.1.3c: Very uncommon and small in area, scattered along the coastal margin.

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.

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Licence
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Last updated
14 May 2024