Regional ecosystem details for 7.1.5
| Regional ecosystem | 7.1.5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 1, 2, (3), (9), (8) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 400 ha; Remnant 2021 500 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca viridiflora or Melaleuca spp. +/- Acacia spp. +/- mangrove spp. woodland on plains adjacent to mangroves |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Melaleuca viridiflora (broad leaf tea-tree) or Melaleuca spp. +/- Acacia spp. +/- mangrove spp. open woodland to open forest and shrubland. Plains adjacent to mangroves. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), E221, A221; Kemp et al. (1999), 6, 7, 9,10; Tracey and Webb (1975), 18 |
| Protected areas | Halifax Bay Wetlands NP, Girramay NP, Hinchinbrook Island NP, Paluma Range NP, Hull River NP, Gulngay NP, Daintree NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 7.1.5: Habitat for threatened species include Myrmecodia beccarii (ant plant) and Hypochrysops apollo apollo (apollo jewel butterfly). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Mid- to late dry season. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: 5-15 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 5. INTERVAL_MAX: 15. STRATEGY: Allow fires in surrounding fire-adapted communities to burn into these melaleuca communities if the soil is moist. ISSUES: Burn more frequently if whipstick regeneration is an issue. Keep flame height low if ant plants are present. |
| Comments | 7.1.5: A significant proportion of this regional ecosystem is a result of reclamation of naturally saline or estuarine flats through man-made bund walls, which prevent tidal intrusion, and enable Melaleuca and Acacia spp. to regenerate, whilst still retaining species more typical of saline environments (such as Sporobolus virginicus). A rare ecosystem with very little representation in protected tenures. |
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.
