Regional ecosystem details for 8.12.26
| Regional ecosystem | 8.12.26 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 1, 2, (4), (6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 5000 ha; Remnant 2021 3000 ha |
| Short description | Corymbia tessellaris and/or Eucalyptus tereticornis open forest on hillslopes of islands and near coastal areas on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks and Tertiary acid to intermediate volcanics |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Corymbia tessellaris and/or Eucalyptus tereticornis open forest. Other occasional to rarely present species in the canopy may include Acacia spirorbis subsp. solandri, Lophostemon confertus, Timonius timon var. timon, E. platyphylla, Albizia procera, C. intermedia C. clarksoniana, and Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora. There are occasional emergents of Araucaria cunninghamii. There is often a sparse to dense secondary tree layer of rainforest species including Pittosporum ferrugineum, Mallotus philippensis, Drypetes deplanchei, Sersalisia sericea, Jagera pseudorhus, Euroschinus falcatus and Cupaniopsis anacardioides. A shrub layer is sometimes present and may include Glochidion lobocarpum, Timonius timon var. timon, Planchonia careya, Acacia leptocarpa, Clerodendron longiflorum var. glabrum, and juvenile rainforest species. The ground layer ranges from very sparse to mid-dense, and often includes Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia, Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum, Imperata cylindrica, Themeda triandra, Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum, Eustrephus latifolius, Chionachne cyathopoda, Lomandra longifolia and Heteropogon triticeus. Occurs on slopes, ridges and crests on gently undulating rises to rolling hills of lowlands and foothills. Geologies mapped include Pll (Airlie Volcanics), Cle (Edgecumbe Beds), Kp (Proserpine Volcanics) and Kw (Whitsunday Volcanics). Early Cretaceous - Early Carboniferous acid to intermediate pyroclastics and flows. Includes rhyolite and andesite. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9c). |
| Supplementary description | Batianoff, Dillewaard and Franks (1997), Vegetation unit 27 (in part); Warrien and Lavarack (in prep), Vegetation unit 5d (in part), 5e (in part), 6i (in part) |
| Protected areas | Molle Islands NP, Dryander NP, Smith Islands NP, Brampton Islands NP, South Cumberland Islands NP, Whitsunday Islands NP, Northumberland Islands NP, Lindeman Islands NP, Conway NP, Percy Isles NP, Holbourne Island NP |
| Special values | 8.12.26: Habitat for the endangered Proserpine Rock Wallaby and the near threatened plant species Xylosma ovata. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late winter burns are indicated although storm burning could be trialled providing results were carefully monitored. INTENSITY: Moderate to high. INTERVAL: 3 - 5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 3. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. ISSUES: In many areas, vine forest understorey's have developed to the point where it is unlikely the open forest structure can be regained and ultimately the area will develop into vine forest. There is evidence to suggest that low to moderate fire will enhance vine forest emergence. |
| Comments | 8.12.26: Most closely related to vegetation community 8.12.12d from which it is distinguished by the clear dominance of Eucalyptus tereticornis or E. tereticornis x platyphylla. Also closely related to 8.12.25 but Corymbia tessellaris is a much more prominent feature of the canopy than 8.12.25, and 8.12.25 tends to have a lower, more open canopy than 8.12.26. Distinguished from 8.12.9 by the occurrence in near coastal lowlands and islands instead of upland mountains, and 8.12.20a and 8.12.20c by the occurrence on definite hillslopes (as opposed to low lying gently undulating areas), and 8.12.27a and 8.12.27b by the lack of Livistona decora as a prominent feature. Occurs on the mainland from Woodwark Bay (10km south-west of Airlie Beach), south to the Proserpine River mouth and a patch just north of Mackay. It is also on many islands from North Molle to Curlew Island. Threats include clearing (many areas are rural residential zone) and fire exclusion (which is detrimental to survival of Proserpine Rock Wallaby). This ecosystem also appears to be particularly prone to weed invasion, with the worst species currently being *Lantana camara, *Centrosema molle, *Bidens pilosa and *Megathyrsus maximus. Other significant weeds include *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida, *Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, *Triumfetta rhomboidea, *Ageratum conyzoides subsp. conyzoides and *Melinis repens. |
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.
