Regional ecosystem details for 8.2.1
| Regional ecosystem | 8.2.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 5, 2, 4, 1, (6), (3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 1000 ha; Remnant 2021 900 ha |
| Short description | Casuarina equisetifolia low woodland and/or sparse herbland to open scrub on foredunes and beaches |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Casuarina equisetifolia subsp. incana low woodland (to isolated clumps of trees) and/or dwarf open shrubland to open scrub and/or sparse herbland to herbland, on foredunes. The vegetation is usually zoned according to tidal inundation/exposure, with the herbaceous communities closest to the sea and the open forest to woodland communities furthest. Some foredunes have a well-defined open shrubland to open scrub component. In the Casuarina equisetifolia open forest to low woodlands other common species in the canopy or lower tree and shrub layers include Thespesia populnea, Sophora tomentosa, Pandanus tectorius, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Alphitonia excelsa, Geijera salicifolia and Guilandina bonduc. Where the ecosystem is growing on a thin layer of sand over a rocky substrate (e.g. South Percy Island), Allocasuarina littoralis is a common component. Shrublands (or shrub-layers under Casuarina equisetifolia) are frequently dominated by species such as Vitex trifolia, Clerodendron inerme, Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Indigofera pratensis, Colubrina asiatica, and Argusia argentea. Herblands along the exposed strandline (and ground layer beneath Casuarina equisetifolia) usually include Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis, Spinifex sericeus, Canavalia rosea, and often also Thuarea involuta, Cyperus pedunculatus, Lepturus repens, Eragrostis interrupta, Eriachne triodioides and Vitex rotundifolia. Occurs on coastal foredunes and strandline. Occasionally occurs on exposed hillslopes (ranging from steep cliffs to plateaus) where the wind has blown a thin layer of beach sand over a rocky substrate. The substrate age is mostly Quaternary Holocene: Qhdf (Holocene quartzose foredune sand), Qr (Quaternary beach ridges and dunes), Qhcb (Holocene quartzose to shelly sand beach ridges and cheniers) and Qhd (Holocene high blow-out quartz dune sand). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 28a). |
| Supplementary description | Bailey et al. (2003), CCD-2, 8CQ; Batianoff, (1995a), Vegetation community 10; Batianoff, (1996), Map unit 2a,2b,2c,2d; Batianoff and Franks (1997), Vegetation unit 31 SS (in part); Batianoff, Dillewaard and Franks (1997), Vegetation Map Unit 1a, 1b and 3 |
| Protected areas | Byfield NP, Whitsunday Islands NP, Broad Sound Islands NP, Keppel Bay Islands NP, Cape Palmerston NP, Percy Isles NP, West Hill NP, Broad Sound Islands Conservation Park, Dryander NP, South Cumberland Islands NP, Bakers Creek CP, Middle Percy Island CP, G |
| Special values | 8.2.1: Provides nesting sites for significant species including the Flat Back Turtle (Natator depressus) (Pollock, 1995), and Beach Thick Knee, both are listed as "Vulnerable" in the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992. Habitat for the significant species Mongolian Plover, Sooty Oystercatcher, Great Knot, Eastern Curlew, Terek Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit and Ruddy Turnstones (Watkins 1993). At the southern end of the bioregion (near Yeppoon) this ecosystem is possible habitat for Paspalum batianoffii listed as "Extinct" in the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. ISSUES: Coastal she-oak is fire sensitive and will be killed by even low intensity fire. Removal of ground layer vegetation often results in infestation of pest species such as guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus), red natal grass (Melinis repens), and other weed species. Removal of ground layer vegetation and/or alteration by weeds removes habitat for the striped-tail delma, and shelter for the beach thick-knee. |
| Comments | 8.2.1: Readily distinguished from all other regional ecosystems by the occurrence on foredunes and/or strand (or sand blown up onto adjacent slopes) and dominance of typical foredune species such as Casuarina equisetifolia subsp. incana, Spinifex sericeus, Canavalia rosea and Vitex trifolia. Occurs along the coastal margin of the entire bioregion, including many islands. Disturbance caused by vehicles, stock, and human traffic readily causes erosion and invasion by weed species, particularly *Cenchrus echinatus, *Melinis repens, *Lantana camara, *Tridax procumbens, Salsola australis, *Megathyrsus maximus, *Catharanthus roseus, *Opuntia stricta, *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida, *Cenchrus ciliaris and *Stachytarpheta jamaicensis. |
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.
