Regional ecosystem details for 8.2.3
| Regional ecosystem | 8.2.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 5, (4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 6000 ha; Remnant 2021 6000 ha |
| Short description | Allocasuarina littoralis and/or Leptospermum neglectum and/or Leptospermum polygalifolium and/or Baeckea frutescens shrubland on coastal sand ridges, parabolic dunes and whaleback dunes |
| Structure code | Shrubland |
| Description | Allocasuarina littoralis and/or Leptospermum neglectum and/or Leptospermum polygalifolium and/or Baeckea frutescens dwarf shrubland to low open forest (0.7-8m tall). Dominance and structure varies considerably according to the period of time since it was last burnt (and the intensity of the burn). Other canopy species may include Leucopogon leptospermoides, Allocasuarina torulosa, Corymbia intermedia and Acacia julifera subsp. julifera. The ground layer is commonly dominated by Caustis recurvata, with associated species often including Schoenus ornithopodioides, Pimelea linifolia subsp. linifolia, Eriachne sp. and Trachystylis stradbrokensis. Occurs on eroded parts of parabolic dunes (predominantly Pleistocene age), and whaleback dunes. Also on low coastal parallel sand ridges. Geologies mapped include Qpd (Pleistocene high parabolic quartz sand dunes) and Qr (Quaternary clay, silt, sand, gravel and soil; colluvial and residual deposits). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 28b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 8.2.3a: Allocasuarina littoralis and/or Leptospermum polygalifolium and/or Leptospermum neglectum dwarf shrubland to low open woodland (0.7-2m tall). Dominance and structure varies considerably according to the period of time since it was last burnt (and the intensity of the burn). Emergents of Banksia integrifolia subsp. compar, and/or Corymbia spp. and/or Allocasuarina littoralis may occasionally be present. The canopy is usually dominated by shrubs, but occasionally the dominant layer is a sparse to mid-dense tree layer dominated by Allocasuarina littoralis, with associated species sometimes including A. torulosa, Leptospermum polygalifolium and Corymbia intermedia. The more typical shrubby canopy is dominated by species such as Allocasuarina littoralis, Leptospermum polygalifolium, Ricinocarpos pinifolius and Baeckea frutescens, with common associated species including Brachyloma daphnoides, Homoranthus virgatus, Leptospermum neglectum, Banksia integrifolia subsp. compar and Lithomyrtus obtusa. The ground layer is commonly dominated by Caustis recurvata, and associated species include Schoenus ornithopodioides, Pimelea linifolia subsp. linifolia, Boronia bipinnata and Pseudanthus orientalis. Occurs on eroded parts of parabolic dunes (predominantly Pleistocene age), and whaleback dunes. Geologies mapped include Qpd (Pleistocene high parabolic quartz sand dunes) and Qr (Quaternary clay, silt, sand, gravel and soil; colluvial and residual deposits). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 28b). 8.2.3d: Allocasuarina littoralis and/or Leptospermum neglectum and/or Leptospermum polygalifolium and/or Baeckea frutescens dwarf shrubland to low open forest (1-8m tall). Dominance and structure varies considerably according to the period of time since it was last burnt (and the intensity of the burn). Other associated species in the canopy may include Leucopogon leptospermoides, Acacia julifera subsp. curvinervia, Lithomyrtus obtusa, Phebalium woombye, Ricinocarpos pinifolius and Banksia robur. A lower shrub layer is sometimes present, with species typically including Sprengelia sprengelioides, Lithomyrtus obtusa, Hibbertia linearis and Phyllota phylicoides. The ground layer is commonly dominated by Caustis recurvata, and associated species may include Eriachne sp., Trachystylis stradbrokensis, Lithomyrtus obtusa and Schoenus yarrabensis. Low coastal parallel sand ridges. The geology is mapped as Qr (Quaternary clay, silt, sand, gravel and soil; colluvial and residual deposits). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 28b). |
| Supplementary description | Brushe et al. (in prep), c11, c11b, c11a, c12a, c12, c12b; Bailey et al. (2003), S-2 |
| Protected areas | Byfield NP |
| Special values | 8.2.3: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Comesperma oblongatum, Samadera bidwillii, Sowerbaea subtilis. 8.2.3a: Habitat for the threatened plant species Samadera bidwillii. Potential habitat for threatened plant species Sowerbaea subtilis. Habitat for numerous plant species at the northern limit of their range, including Phebalium woombye, Platysace linearifolia, Caustis recurvata, Brachyloma daphnoides, Homoranthus virgatus, Phyllota phylicoides, Ochrosperma lineare, Pseudanthus orientalis, Persoonia virgata, Hibbertia vestita, Aotus lanigera, Gompholobium virgatum, Zieria laxiflora, Baloskion pallens, Jacksonia stackhousei, Cryptostylis erecta and Xanthorrhoea fulva. 8.2.3d: Habitat for the vulnerable plant species Sowerbaea subtilis. Habitat for numerous species at the northern limit of their range, including Brachyloma daphnoides, Phebalium woombye, Homoranthus virgatus, Platysace linearifolia, Persoonia virgata, Phyllota phylicoides, Pseudanthus orientalis, Sprengelia sprengelioides, Caustis recurvata, Baloskion pallens, Ochrosperma lineare and Xanthorrhoea fulva. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: April to June. INTENSITY: 8.2.3a and d: High. INTERVAL: 8-10 years minimum, longer periods of up to 15 years are acceptable. INTERVAL_MIN: 8. INTERVAL_MAX: 15. STRATEGY: Attempt to retain some areas unburnt. Do not re-light areas remaining unburnt after the initial fire. ISSUES: 8.2.3a and d: Often contains obligate seed regenerators and as such, application of frequent fire may reduce species richness (if intervals between fire are not sufficient for plants to produce seed). In addition, frequent fire may result in a net loss of nutrients over time from an already nutrient poor system. |
| Comments | 8.2.3a: Frequency and intensity of burning is the main driver of structure and successional state of this dynamic vegetation community. Very similar to 8.2.8d in species composition and structure but is distinguished from this by occurring on parabolic and whaleback dunes (as opposed to low sand ridges) and by occurring in slightly better drained situations than 8.2.3d. Distinguished from 8.2.12b by occurring on parabolic (instead of low parallel) dunes. Distinguished from the 8.2.4 series by the lack of a peat layer and occurring in more elevated, drier sites (8.2.4 series are swamps). May sometimes be similar to the 8.2.14 series (especially 8.2.14c) however this occurs on Holocene age parabolic dunes (instead of Pleistocene) and tends to be less heath-like (or in the case of 8.2.14c dominated by Acacia spp.). Occurs in subregions 4 and 5, from Townshend Island, south to Corio Bay. It is most extensive in an area west of Cape Manifold to Stockyard Point. Subject to damage by wildfire, particularly in late spring to early summer. Over-frequent fire can adversely affect the species composition by favouring fire-tolerant species. The steep dunes are highly erodible and can be readily damaged by 4WD activities, but currently in good condition. Weed invasion is minimal but some areas have been badly damaged by 4WD tracks. 8.2.3d: Similar in species composition and structure to 8.2.3a but occurs on low parallel sand ridges (as opposed to elevated whaleback dunes and eroded parts of parabolics) and is more poorly drained than 8.2.3a. Can be very similar to 8.2.12b which tends to be more Acacia dominated. Distinguished from the 8.2.4 series by the lack of a peat layer and occurring in slightly more elevated, drier sites (8.2.4 series are swamps). May sometimes be similar to the 8.2.14 series (especially 8.2.14c) however this occurs on parabolic dunes (instead of parallel dunes) and tends to be less heath-like (or in the case of 8.2.14c dominated by Acacia spp.). Restricted to the Clinton Low Lands, within Port Clinton in the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area. Subject to damage by wildfire, particularly in late spring to early summer. Over-frequent fire can adversely affect the species composition by favouring fire-tolerant species. The steep dunes are highly erodible and can be readily damaged by 4WD activities, but currently in good condition. Weed invasion is minimal but some areas have been badly damaged by 4WD tracks. |
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.
