Regional ecosystem details for 7.3.3
| Regional ecosystem | 7.3.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 3, 2, 9, 7, (6), (1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 5000 ha; Remnant 2021 2000 ha |
| Short description | Mesophyll vine forest with Archontophoenix alexandrae on poorly drained alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Mesophyll vine forest with Archontophoenix alexandrae (feather palm). Occurs in lowland swamps on gleyed podzolic alluvial soils derived from basaltic and granitic parent material, in the very wet rainfall zone. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 4a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 7.3.3a: Mesophyll vine forest with Archontophoenix alexandrae (feather leaf palm). Occurs in lowland swamps on gleyed podzolic alluvial soils derived from basaltic and granitic parent material, in the very wet rainfall zone. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 4a). 7.3.3b: Mesophyll vine forest with Archontophoenix alexandrae (feather leaf palm) recovering from disturbance, with Acacia celsa canopy or emergents. Occurs in lowland swamps on gleyed podzolic alluvial soils derived from basaltic and granitic parent material, in the very wet rainfall zone. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 4a). 7.3.3c: Mesophyll vine forest with dominant Syzygium tierneyanum and/or Barringtonia racemosa and sub-canopy dominated by feather palms (Archontophoenix alexandrae). Seasonally flooded alluvium. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 4a). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), A3a, A3a(a), A79; Kemp and Morgan (1999), 17; Kemp et al. (1999), 16; Tracey and Webb (1975), 3a |
| Protected areas | Russell River NP, Gulngay NP, Ella Bay NP, Daintree NP (CYPAL), Eubenangee Swamp NP, Hull River NP, Malbon Thompson FR, Girramay NP, Moresby Range NP, Hinchinbrook Island NP, Djilgarin CP, Djiru NP, Carello Palm Swamp CP, Tully Gorge NP, Mount Mackay NP |
| Special values | 7.3.3: Habitat for threatened plant species include Phlegmariurus dalhousieanus. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Burn at the edges mid-late dry season (May-Sep) using low intensity fire at long fire intervals. Target pandanus islands. ISSUES: Fire has a role in maintaining an ecotone between the regional ecosystem and adjacent ones. |
| Comments | 7.3.3: Scattered across the coastal lowlands (once much more common), now predominantly the Innisfail and Tully subregions. In many areas drainage works on adjoining lands have altered vital hydrological and water table relationships within this ecosystem. Increased wind exposure associated with agricultural clearing is now also a threat. A favoured habitat of, and often heavily dug up by, feral pigs. |
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.
