Regional ecosystem details for 7.11.1
| Regional ecosystem | 7.11.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 9, 8, 7, 3, (4), (2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 146000 ha; Remnant 2021 130000 ha |
| Short description | Simple to complex mesophyll to notophyll vine forest on moderately to poorly drained metamorphics (excluding amphibolites) of moderate fertility of the moist and wet lowlands, foothills and uplands |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Simple to complex mesophyll to notophyll vine forest on moderately to poorly drained metamorphics (excluding amphibolites) of moderate fertility of the moist and wet lowlands, foothills and uplands. Lowlands and foothills on xanthozems and red and yellow podzolic soils of metamorphic origin. Very wet and wet rainfall zones. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 7.11.1a: Mesophyll vine forest. Lowlands and foothills on metamorphics. Very wet and wet rainfall zones. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2a). 7.11.1b: Mesophyll vine forest recovering from disturbance, with Acacia spp. canopy or emergents. Lowlands and foothills on metamorphics, of the very wet and wet rainfall zones. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 5d). 7.11.1c: Mesophyll vine forest. Lowlands and foothills on greenstone, of the very wet and wet rainfall zones. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2a). 7.11.1d: Mesophyll vine forest. Foothills on Tertiary duricrust (ferricrete) of the very wet and wet rainfall zones. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2a). 7.11.1e: Mesophyll vine forest of steep rocky slopes, and valleys. Canopy frequently broken by fern covered rock faces. Sheltered areas of deeper soil support vine forests allied to Types 1b and 2a, while the most rock-strewn areas support Ficus spp. and Heptapleurum actinophyllum. Foothills and uplands on metamorphics, of the moist and wet rainfall zones. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2a). 7.11.1f: Mosaic of fernland and low vine forest with Chionanthus ramiflorus. Steep rocky slopes and scree slopes on metamorphics. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2a). 7.11.1g: Mesophyll vine forest with scattered feather palms (Archontophoenix alexandrae) in the sub-canopy. Seasonally inundated lowland areas on metamorphics. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 4a). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), Q2a, M2a, M2a(a), M2a(b), M2a(c), CM2a, Z2a, M100, M154, M72, L2a; Tracey and Webb (1975), 2a |
| Protected areas | Daintree NP (CYPAL), Wooroonooran NP, Japoon NP, Kuranda NP, Ngalba-bulal NP (CYPAL), Dinden NP, Mowbray NP, Little Mulgrave NP, Basilisk Range NP, Mount Lewis NP, Ella Bay NP, Djiru NP, Barron Gorge NP, Macalister Range NP, Kuranda West FR, Mount Mackay |
| Special values | 7.11.1: Habitat for threatened plant species of 7.11.1a include: Archidendron kanisii, Archidendropsis xanthoxylon, Asplenium wildii, Austromuellera trinervia, Beilschmiedia castrisinensis, Cyclophyllum costatum, Dioclea hexandra, Endiandra grayi, Endiandra microneura, Euodia hylandii, Euodia pubifolia, Freycinetia marginata, Gardenia actinocarpa, Phlegmariurus spp., Lepiderema hirsuta, Megahertzia amplexicaulis, Microsorum membranifolium, Mitrantia bilocularis, Neostrearia fleckeri, Noahdendron nicholasii, Peripentadenia phelpsii, Samadera baileyana, Randia audasii, Ryparosa kurrangii, Sankowskya stipularis, Symplocos crassiramifera, Vrydagzynea grayi, Whyanbeelia terrae-reginae and Xanthophyllum fragrans. Also there are many locally restricted regional endemics and unusual species such as: Austrocallerya australis, Coelospermum dasylobum, Cupaniopsis diploglottoides, Mischarytera megaphylla, Storckiella australiensis, Tainia trinervis and Idiospermum australiense. Other species of local significance are Argyrodendron sp. (Whyanbeel B.P.Hyland RFK1106), Monoon patinatum and Rhodomyrtus effusa. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Do not burn deliberately. f: Oct-Dec (occasionally Sep). INTENSITY: Do not burn deliberately. f: Variable, depending on fuel. INTERVAL: Do not burn deliberately. f: 10-20 years. There will be practical difficulties in attempting to burn grassland and sedgeland at different intervals. INTERVAL_MIN: 10. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not burn deliberately. Mosaic burning in surrounding fire-adapted ecosystems will minimise spread and severity of wildfire during severe weather events. f: Entire continuous areas are likely to burn at any one time. Burn 25-30% of these communities in WET in any one year. Attempt to time burning when water level is high enough to cover both peat and sedge bases. Protect from wildfire or manage surrounding country to reduce the potential of fire incursion. ISSUES: Typically unlikely to burn owing to lack of flammable grasses. Occasional high intensity fires along fringes, particularly on hillslopes, may lead to loss of rainforest at edges. Low intensity burns away from rainforest edge can be used to protect margins, when humidity and soil moisture are high. Where appropriate, use revegetation of rainforest species to provide buffer to cleared areas. Occasional high intensity fires in adjoining communities may be required to prevent expansion of rainforest elements. f: A planned burn is likely to be over 100% of the planned burn area; so while mosaic burning is desirable to maintain structure and protect animal habitat and food, it will rarely be achievable. Under dry conditions, with little soil moisture, peat may burn as it is highly flammable in such circumstances. Sedges are disadvantaged by repeated high intensity fires. |
| Comments | 7.11.1: Occurs on more poorly-drained and lower fertility soils than 7.11.23. Widespread over central and eastern parts of the bioregion north of Tully. Many accessible areas have been subjected to extensive logging in the past. |
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.
