Regional ecosystem details for 8.1.1
| Regional ecosystem | 8.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Intertidal |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 5, 1, 6, (4), (3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 41000 ha; Remnant 2021 41000 ha |
| Short description | Mangrove closed forest to open shrubland of marine clay plains and estuaries |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Closed forest to open shrubland of mangrove species forming a variety of associations, depending on their position in relation to tidal channels and the amount of freshwater input they receive. The seaward edge and fringe of waterways is often dominated by Rhizophora spp. Landward of the Rhizophora spp. zone a variety of species occur together or in a mosaic and include Avicennia marina, Bruguiera spp., Rhizophora spp., Excoecaria agallocha, Xylocarpus moluccensis, Lumnitzera racemosa, Ceriops spp. and Osbornia octodonta (pure stands of Avicennia marina often occur within this). Higher tide and spring tide areas adjacent to saltpans often support pure stands of Ceriops spp. The mistletoe Lysiana maritima is common throughout the mangrove associations, and occasional epiphytes include Dendrobium discolor, Drynaria rigidula, and Platycerium bifurcatum. A shrub layer is occasionally present consisting of species such as Acanthus ilicifolius, Clerodendron inerme, Osbornia octodonta and Lumnitzera racemosa. The ground layer may include species such as Sporobolus virginicus, Acrostichum speciosum, Juncus kraussii, Fimbristylis ferruginea, Derris trifoliata, Salsola australis and Crinum pedunculatum. Occurs on tidal and intertidal flats which are often dissected by tidal streams. Includes communities on the landward edge of tidal flats that are inundated only by the highest spring tides. Geologies mapped include Qhcm (Holocene mud and sandy mud), Qm (Quaternary coastal mud, silt and minor evaporites), Qhe/m (Holocene mud, sandy mud, muddy sand and minor gravel), Qhct (Holocene silt, mud and sand and minor salt) and Qpe (Pleistocene estuarine mud, sand). Intertidal. (BVG1M: 35a). |
| Supplementary description | Bailey et al. (2003), CM-1; Batianoff (1995), Vegetation Unit 8; Batianoff, Dillewaard and Franks (1997), Vegetation Unit 8; Bean (1991), Vegetation type 9 (in part); Brushe et al. (in prep), Map Unit c1; Cumming (1997), Vegetation types 1, 2, 3, 4; Danah |
| Protected areas | Byfield NP, Cape Palmerston NP, Conway NP, Whitsunday Islands NP, Sandringham Bay CP, Bakers Creek CP, Dryander NP, West Hill NP, Skull Knob CP, Newry Islands NP, Gloucester Island NP, Reliance Creek NP, South Cumberland Islands NP, Cape Hillsborough NP, |
| Special values | 8.1.1: Many of the plant species defining this regional ecosystem are unique to it, or only to this and other land zone 1 regional ecosystems. Breeding site for many marine fish species and habitat for a large number of specialised fauna and flora species which are restricted to this ecosystem. Recent records of the Little Kingfisher, which is largely restricted to this ecosystem, extend its previous known range (southern limit) (Malcolm et al., 1996). This regional ecosystem is also habitat for the significant species False Water Rat (listed as "Vulnerable" in the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992), Rusty Monitor, Crocodile, Mongolian Plover, Sooty Oystercatcher, Great Knot, Eastern Curlew, Terek Sandpipers, Bar-tailed Godwits, Whimbrel, Pacific Golden Plover, Pied Oystercatcher, Ruddy Turnstone (Watkins 1993), and Great-billed Heron (Crouter in Low 1993). |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. ISSUES: Scorching within the supra-littoral margin, particularly when this ecotone merges into flammable vegetation such as woodlands and forests of Melaleuca spp. |
| Comments | 8.1.1: Readily distinguished from all other ecosystems by the clear dominance of mangrove tree or shrub species. Found along the coast of the mainland and on many islands. Common throughout the bioregion, but most extensive around the Proserpine River mouth, in the area east of Calen and near Cape Palmerston. Generally good, being a fairly resilient ecosystem. *Lantana camara occasionally encroaches in less saline examples. |
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.
