Regional ecosystem details for 7.2.9
| Regional ecosystem | 7.2.9 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 3, 2, (1), (9), (6), (7) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 4000 ha; Remnant 2021 3000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca quinquenervia shrubland to closed forest, or Lepironia articulata open to closed sedgeland, on dune swales and swampy sand plains of beach origin |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Melaleuca quinquenervia (swamp paperbark) shrubland to closed forest, or Lepironia articulata (grey sedge) open to closed sedgeland. Dune swales and swampy sandplains of beach origin. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 7.2.9a: Melaleuca quinquenervia open forest to woodland and shrubland. Dune swales and swampy sandplains of beach origin. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a). 7.2.9b: Mixed sedgeland-shrubland complex with Melaleuca quinquenervia. Perennially inundated peat soils. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a). 7.2.9c: Lepironia articulata sedgeland. Permanent swamp with deep deposits of fibrous peat. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c). 7.2.9d: Melaleuca quinquenervia and Acacia crassicarpa open forest to woodland. Sandy soils with organic hardpan layer at depth. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), D33, D92, D76, D84, D96; Kemp and Morgan (1999) 7; Tracey and Webb (1975), 17 (in part) |
| Protected areas | Kurrimine Beach NP, Girramay NP, Gulngay NP, Etty Bay Road CP, Russell River NP, Hinchinbrook Island NP, Hull River NP, Daintree NP (CYPAL), Ella Bay NP |
| Special values | 7.2.9: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Livistona drudei, Nepenthes mirabilis (Bramston Beach). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Early to mid-dry season. c: Early (June-Sep) to late (Oct-Dec) dry season. INTENSITY: Low with occasional moderate. c: Moderate. INTERVAL: 3-10 years. c: 3-5 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. c: Burn 25-30%; variation in topography and moisture will create a mosaic. ISSUES: Avoid peat fires and maintain awareness of high biomass grasses which can increase fire intensity and spread. Avoid burning ant plants. c: Opportunities to burn sedgelands are rare. High biomass grasses may increase fire intensity. Dense regeneration of melaleuca may require a subsequent fire. |
| Comments | 7.2.9: Inappropriate burning may threaten the persistence of the peat layer in this regional ecosystem. Distributed in most near-coastal parts of the Wet Tropics, and particularly well-developed in the Tully and Innisfail subregions. |
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.
