Regional ecosystem details for 8.2.13
| Regional ecosystem | 8.2.13 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Endangered |
| Wetlands | Contains Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 2, 4, 5, (11.14), (1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 2000 ha; Remnant 2021 600 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca spp. and/or Corymbia spp. and/or Lophostemon suaveolens and/or Acacia spp. open forest on dune sands mixed with alluvial material +/- marine sediments |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Melaleuca spp., Livistona decora and/or Acacia spp. and/or Lophostemon suaveolens open to closed forest (8-30m tall). Other common to occasional canopy species may include Eucalyptus tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia, Corymbia tessellaris and Livistona decora. There are usually sparse to mid-dense lower tree layers, commonly dominated by Livistona decora and/or Banksia integrifolia subsp. compar and/or Acacia spp. The shrub layer is usually very sparse, and the ground layer is sparse to dense and dominated by species such as Imperata cylindrica, Blechnum indicum, Pteridium esculentum and Oplismenus spp. Low-lying, flat areas in near coastal situations on dune sands mixed with alluvial material and/or marine sediments. Geologies mapped include Qpcb (Pleistocene quartzose to shelly sand older beach ridges), Qhcb (Holocene quartzose to shelly sand beach ridges), Qf (Quaternary sand: flood-out sheets), Qr (Quaternary clay, silt and sand) and Qpd (Pleistocene high parabolic quartz sand dunes). Contains Palustrine. (BVG1M: 9e). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 8.2.13a: Corymbia tessellaris, Melaleuca spp., Corymbia intermedia, Eucalyptus tereticornis open forest. At some sites Corymbia tessellaris may occur as an emergent, and Corymbia clarksoniana may occur in the canopy or as an emergent. Livistona decora sometimes occurs in the canopy. At some sites there may be a mid-dense to dense canopy or sub-canopy of Acacia disparrima subsp. disparrima. Usually there are sparse to mid-dense sub-canopy and lower tree layers, with species commonly represented including Livistona decora, Banksia integrifolia, Melaleuca dealbata, M. leucadendra, Acacia leptocarpa, Pandanus cookii, Planchonia careya and Alphitonia excelsa. Shrub layers consist of saplings from the upper layers, and shrubs such as Glochidion lobocarpum and Clerodendrum longiflorum var. glabrum. The ground layer is very sparse and mainly consisting of tree seedlings, vines, sedges, and shade tolerant grasses such as Oplismenus spp. Low-lying, flat areas in near coastal situations on dune sands mixed with alluvial material and marine sediments (subregion 2). Geologies mapped include Qpcb (Pleistocene quartzose to shelly sand older coastal beach ridges), Qhcb (Holocene quartzose to shelly sand beach ridges and cheniers), Qf (Quaternary sand: flood-out sheets and small fans) and Qhd (Holocene quartz sand; high blow-out dune sand). Contains Palustrine. (BVG1M: 9e). 8.2.13b: Melaleuca quinquenervia and/or Lophostemon suaveolens open forest to woodland (8-30m tall). Livistona decora may sometimes be present in the canopy or as an emergent. Other common to occasional canopy species may include Eucalyptus tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia, Corymbia tessellaris, Glochidion sumatranum, Endiandra sieberi and Eucalyptus portuensis. There are often sparse secondary and tertiary tree layers dominated by species such as Livistona decora, Banksia integrifolia and Acacia spp. There is sometimes a shrub layer, and dominant and associated species may include Lithomyrtus obtusa, Livistona decora and Hibiscus diversifolius. There is a very sparse to mid-dense ground layer with species including Imperata cylindrica, Blechnum indicum, Ottochloa nodosa, Pteridium esculentum and Gahnia sieberiana. Low-lying, flat areas in near coastal situations on dune sands mixed with alluvial material and/or marine sediments (subregions 4 and 5). Geologies mapped include Qr (Quaternary clay, silt, sand, gravel and soil; colluvial and residual deposits) and Qpd (Pleistocene high parabolic quartz sand dunes). Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a). |
| Supplementary description | Brushe et al. (in prep), Map Unit 19; |
| Protected areas | Conway NP, Bakers Creek CP |
| Special values | 8.2.13: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Livistona drudei. 8.2.13a: Habitat for the vulnerable plant species Livistona drudei (only known occurrence in the Central Queensland Coast bioregion). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late wet to early dry season, with occasional storm burns. INTENSITY: Low to moderate with most burns moderate. a: Low to moderate with occasional high intensity in dense shrubby areas. INTERVAL: 6-10 years. a: 7-10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 6. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Apply mosaic burns across the target area; aim for 40-60% of area burnt. No more than 20% of Melaleuca communities should be burnt within the bioregion in any one year. a: Apply mosaic burns, aiming for 25 to 60% burnt. ISSUES: Presence of high biomass grasses, lantana and rubbervine can increase fire severity and/or shade ground layer plants making burning difficult. Peat layers can be vulnerable in drier months; burn when peat layer water logged. a: Maintain longer fire intervals in areas adjacent to more frequently burnt vegetation communities, such as grassy eucalypts. |
| Comments | 8.2.13a: Similar to 8.2.13b but this occurs in subregions 4 and 5 only. The regional ecosystems 8.2.7a through to 8.2.7e and 8.2.11 occur in a similar landform situation though tend to be surrounded by land zone 2 (as opposed to at the interface of LZ2 and LZ3) and are dominated by either Melaleuca spp., Lophostemon suaveolens or Eucalyptus robusta (as opposed to spp. mix described above). The RE 8.2.4c is dominated by Melaleuca spp. rather than Eucalyptus spp. or Corymbia spp. and is associated with peaty sedge swamps, and is in subregion 5 only. The regional ecosystems 8.2.6a, 8.2.6b and 8.2.12a are associated with parallel dune crests (minimal mixing with alluvium or marine sediments) and are dominated by C. tessellaris or E. latisinensis, with a lower proportion (or absence) of Melaleuca spp. and E. tereticornis. The regional ecosystems 8.2.14b, 8.2.14c, 8.2.8a and 8.2.8b can be distinguished by their occurrence on high parabolic dunes as opposed to low swampy soils of mixed dune/alluvial/marine origin. Scattered across subregion 2 from Rocky Point near Conway in the north to Kelly Creek, south-east of Ilbilbie. Extensively cleared for housing developments. Many of the remaining areas are susceptible to hydrological changes caused by alteration of the surrounding terrain. Weed invasion is a problem in many of the remnants. 8.2.13b: Similar to 8.2.13a but this occurs in subregion 2 only. The regional ecosystems 8.2.7a through to 8.2.7e and 8.2.11 occur in a similar landform situation though tend to be surrounded by Land Zone 2 (as opposed to at the interface of LZ2 and LZ3). The RE 8.2.4c can sometimes be similar but is strictly associated with peaty sedge swamps. The regional ecosystems 8.2.6a, 8.2.6b and 8.2.12a are associated with parallel dune crests (minimal mixing with alluvium or marine sediments) and are dominated by C. tessellaris or E. latisinensis, with a lower proportion (or absence) of Melaleuca spp. and E. tereticornis. The regional ecosystems 8.2.14b, 8.2.14c, 8.2.8a and 8.2.8b can be distinguished by their occurrence on high parabolic dunes as opposed to low swampy soils of mixed dune/alluvial/marine origin. Occurs in the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area on Townshend Island, to the west of Island Head Creek and west of Port Clinton. Also found on the northern side of the Manifold Hills (west of Cliff Point). Moderate to good, but susceptible to weed invasion, with current problem species including *Lantana camara, *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida, *Macroptilium atropurpureum, *Melinis minutiflora, *Megathyrsus maximus, *Sporobolus pyramidalis, *Triumfetta rhomboidea and *Urena lobata. |
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.
