Regional ecosystem details for 8.12.18
| Regional ecosystem | 8.12.18 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, (2), (6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 27000 ha; Remnant 2021 26000 ha |
| Short description | Semi-evergreen notophyll/microphyll to complex notophyll Argyrodendron spp. vine forest +/- Araucaria cunninghamii, of foothills and uplands on near-coastal ranges and islands on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Semi-evergreen notophyll/microphyll to complex notophyll Argyrodendron spp. vine forest. Emergents are often present and may include Araucaria cunninghamii, Argyrodendron polyandrum and Falcataria toona. Canopy trees include species such as Argyrodendron polyandrum, Argyrodendron sp. (Whitsundays W.J.McDonald+ 5831), Dissiliaria indistincta, Macropteranthes fitzalanii, Backhousia citriodora, Arytera sp. (Dryander Creek P.R.Sharpe 4184), Cleistanthus dallachyanus, Flindersia schottiana and Dendrocnide photiniphylla. The sub-canopy typically contains species like Aidia racemosa, Diospyros hebecarpa, Cryptocarya bidwillii, Cleistanthus dallachyanus, Dissiliaria indistincta, Dinosperma melanophloium, Cryptocarya triplinervis and Gossia bidwillii. Lower tree and shrub layers may include Drypetes deplanchei, Alyxia ruscifolia, Aglaia brownii, Memecylon pauciflorum and Fitzalania heteropetala. The ground layer includes occasional Drynaria sparsisora, Adiantum hispidulum and Dianella caerulea var. vannata. Typical vines are Melodorum leichhardtii, Austrosteenisia blackii and Trophis scandens, and there are occasional epiphytes such as Platycerium bifurcatum. Occurs on slopes, ridges and crests on rolling low hills to rolling mountains of foothills and uplands of near coastal ranges and islands. Geologies mapped as Kp (Proserpine Volcanics), Pll (Airlie Volcanics), Kw and Kc (Whitsunday Volcanics) and Cle (Edgecumbe Beds). Early Cretaceous - Early Carboniferous acid to intermediate pyroclastics and flows. Includes rhyolite and andesite. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 5b). |
| Supplementary description | Kemp (2009), Vsa |
| Protected areas | Conway NP, Dryander NP, Whitsunday Islands NP, Molle Islands NP, South Cumberland Islands NP, Conway West CP, Dryander FR, Conway CP |
| Special values | 8.12.18: Habitat for the threatened plant species Medicosma obovata and Neisosperma kilneri. Habitat for the near threatened plant species Graptophyllum excelsum, Hernandia bivalvis, Rhodamnia glabrescens, Brachychiton compactus, Diteilis simmondsii. Key habitat for Dissiliaria indistincta which is restricted to the Conway Ranges and ranges to the north of Proserpine, and for Argyrodendron sp. (Whitsundays W.J.McDonald+ 5831) which is endemic to the Conway Ranges and northern Whitsunday islands. Also habitat for many other plant species at range limits or which are poorly known in the bioregion. Habitat for Proserpine Rock Wallaby which is listed as "Endangered" in the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. ISSUES: Fire sensitive. |
| Comments | 8.12.18: Differs from 8.12.1a, 8.12.1b and 8.12.19 by occurring in mostly lower altitude areas (including islands) which lack the frequent cloud and fog and therefore have a lower proportion of moisture loving species such as Archontophoenix alexandrae and Myristica globosa subsp. muelleri, and is much more likely to include species such as Falcataria toona, Argyrodendron polyandrum, Argyrodendron sp. (Whitsundays W.J.McDonald+ 5831), Dissiliaria indistincta and Macropteranthes fitzalanii. Grades into 8.12.11a, however 8.12.11a tends to be dominated by species such as Cleistanthus dallachyanus, Mimusops elengi and Terminalia porphyrocarpa, as opposed to Argyrodendron spp., and Dissiliaria indistincta. Also the RE 8.12.11a occur on harsher, often more exposed sites than 8.12.18. Occurs in subregion 1 from Hideaway Bay south to the Proserpine River, including Cape Conway on the mainland and also on many islands such as Whitsunday Island, Hook Island, Long Island, Keswick Island and Scawfell Island. Condition is mostly good, though many areas have been logged in the past and there is minor clearing. Weed invasion occurs in some places from tracks and other areas of disturbance. Cyclones periodically cause major structural changes. |
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.
