Regional ecosystem details for 8.2.7
| Regional ecosystem | 8.2.7 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Contains Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 5, 2, (4), (11.14), (1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 3000 ha; Remnant 2021 3000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca spp. and/or Lophostemon suaveolens and/or Eucalyptus robusta open forest in wetlands associated with parabolic dunes |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Melaleuca spp. and/or Lophostemon suaveolens and/or Eucalyptus robusta open forest to woodland to open scrub (5-25m tall). Includes pure stands of individual Melaleuca spp., or mixed Melaleuca communities, or Eucalyptus robusta with M. quinquenervia, or Lophostemon spp. dominated communities. Associated canopy species may include Corymbia tessellaris, Nauclea orientalis, Banksia robur and Pandanus spp. There are occasionally lower tree and shrub layers which may include species such as Melaleuca spp., Banksia spp. and Acacia spp. The ground layer is very variable ranging from very sparse to dense, and may be fern dominated, sedge dominated or grass/forb dominated. Occurs in low lying areas and swales, associated with parabolic dunes systems. Geologies include Qpd (Pleistocene high parabolic quartz sand dunes), Qr (Quaternary clay, silt and sand), Qr, Tw (Qr, Water Park Creek beds; Quaternary sand), Qpcb (Pleistocene quartzose to shelly sand) and Qhcb (Holocene quartzose to shelly sand beach ridges). Contains Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 8.2.7a: Melaleuca leucadendra open forest to closed forest (10-25m tall). Nauclea orientalis and Corymbia tessellaris may occur as an occasional canopy tree. There are frequently very sparse sub-canopy tree layers consisting mainly of Melaleuca leucadendra with occasional Melaleuca viridiflora var. attenuata and scattered rainforest pioneers. The ground layer is very variable and includes very sparse to mid-dense assemblages, sometimes dominated by ferns including Blechnum indicum, Cyclosorus interruptus, and Lygodium microphyllum, or dominated by grasses such as Imperata cylindrica, Leersia hexandra and Chrysopogon filipes, or by sedges such as Cyperus javanicus and other Cyperus and Fimbristylis spp. Near-coastal wetlands, usually associated with parabolic dune systems (subregion 2). Soils often have a thick humic surface layer, and are most likely a mixture of dune sands, alluvium and estuarine material. Geology mapped as Qpcb (Pleistocene quartzose to shelly sand), Qhcb (Holocene quartzose to shelly sand beach ridges) and Qhd (Holocene high blow-out quartz dune sand). Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). 8.2.7b: Eucalyptus robusta, Melaleuca quinquenervia open forest to open woodland (7-16m tall). Occasional associated species in the canopy may include Banksia robur, Pandanus tectorius and Corymbia tessellaris. There is sometimes a very sparse secondary tree layer, with dominant and associated species including Eucalyptus robusta, Melaleuca quinquenervia, Banksia robur and Acacia spp. A sparse to dense shrub layer may be present, including dense stands of Leptospermum polygalifolium, with associated species including Banksia robur, Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum, Grevillea banksii and Blechnum indicum. The ground layer is sparse to mid-dense and may be dominated by species such as Empodisma minus, Blechnum indicum, Gahnia sieberiana, Lomandra longifolia and Pteridium esculentum. Occurs in low lying areas associated with parabolic dunes (usually on the leeward side of large parabolic dune masses) (subregions 4 and 5). Geology is mapped as Qr (Quaternary clay, silt, sand, gravel and soil; colluvial and residual deposits), Qr, Tw (Qr, Water Park Creek beds; Quaternary clay, silt, sand, gravel and soil; colluvial and residual deposits) and Qpd (Pleistocene high parabolic quartz sand dunes). Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). 8.2.7c: Lophostemon suaveolens closed forest to woodland (11-16m tall). Melaleuca quinquenervia is sometimes codominant in the canopy. Other associated canopy species may include Lophostemon confertus, Corymbia tessellaris and Melaleuca dealbata. There are sometimes very sparse to mid-dense secondary and tertiary tree layers, with dominants including Allocasuarina littoralis, Acacia disparrima subsp. disparrima, Banksia integrifolia and Livistona decora. A shrub layer may be present, with dominant species including Grevillea banksii, Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Acacia flavescens and Hovea sp. The ground layer may be dominated by species such as Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia, Imperata cylindrica, Themeda triandra, Stephania japonica and Dianella caerulea. Low-lying areas associated with parabolic dunes (subregions 4 and 5). Geology is mapped as Qpd (Pleistocene high parabolic quartz sand dunes). Palustrine. (BVG1M: 9e). 8.2.7e: Melaleuca quinquenervia and/or M. leucadendra and/or M. dealbata and/or M. viridiflora var. attenuata open forest to open scrub (to closed forest) (5-18m tall). Occasional associated canopy species or emergents may include Lophostemon suaveolens, Corymbia tessellaris and Banksia integrifolia subsp. compar. A very sparse to mid-dense secondary tree layer (and rarely a tertiary tree layer) is sometimes present and may be dominated by species such as Melaleuca spp., Acacia julifera, Banksia integrifolia subsp. compar, Planchonia careya and Acacia flavescens. The shrub layer when present consists only of isolated plants such as occasional Lithomyrtus obtusa and Banksia robur. The ground layer is very variable and ranges from being fern dominated, sedge dominated or grass/forb dominated. Dominant species may include Blechnum indicum, Imperata cylindrica, Baloskion pallens, Lomandra confertifolia, Lindsaea ensifolia, Pteridium esculentum and Cyperus enervis. Occurs in near-coastal wetlands and swales associated with parabolic dunes (all coastal subregions). Mapped geologies include Qpd (Pleistocene high parabolic quartz sand dunes), Qr (Quaternary clay, silt and sand), Qhcb (Holocene quartzose to shelly sand beach ridges), Qpcb (Pleistocene quartzose to shelly sand ridges) and Qr (Quaternary beach ridges and coastal dunes). Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a). |
| Protected areas | Byfield NP, Whitsunday Islands NP, Percy Isles NP, Byfield CP |
| Special values | 8.2.7a: A naturally rare and restricted vegetation community. Dense tall stands of Melaleuca leucadendra in large swamps is unusual, and in the Slade Point area are considered to be part of an outstanding area of conservation significance (Pollock, 1995). Potential habitat for the endangered plant species Phaius australis. Habitat for the fern Blechnum indicum which is locally rare. In the Slade Point area this vegetation community is also rich in bird and frog species (Pollock, 1995). 8.2.7b: Habitat for a large number of species at the northern limit of their range, including Eucalyptus robusta, Hibbertia vestita, Phyllota phylicoides, Ochrosperma lineare, Empodisma minus, Hovea clavata, Patersonia sericea, Baumea muelleri, Brachyloma daphnoides, Cyperus stradbrokensis, Mirbelia rubiifolia, Sporadanthus interruptus and Xanthorrhoea fulva. 8.2.7e: Potential habitat for the endangered plant species Phaius australis. The buried swales with Melaleuca leucadendra as found in the Shoalwater Bay area (vegetation type c18a) are somewhat unusual. Within subregions 1 to 3 Melaleuca quinquenervia is very rare, and here occurs only in this vegetation community. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: 8.2.7a and e: n/a. 8.2.7b: Refer to notes. INTENSITY: 8.2.7a and e: n/a. 8.2.7b: High. INTERVAL: 8.2.7a and e: n/a. 8.2.7b: No less than 8 years, 8-15 years is preferred. 8.2.7c: If possible avoid fires more frequent than 6 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 8. INTERVAL_MAX: 15. STRATEGY: 8.2.7a and e: n/a. 8.2.7b: Do not burn all patches of this ecosystem in any given year. ISSUES: 8.2.7a:The ground stratum of this ecosystem is generally moist, decomposition rates high and consequently fuel accumulation usually low. Although it is fire tolerant, hydrological events (i.e. seasonal flooding) are likely to be a major component of the ecosystems functioning. Regular fires (i.e. in the western areas of this ecosystem on Slade Point Road) result in a loss of, or reduction in densities of Blechnum indicum. 8.2.7b: Needs careful fire management and is subject to harvesting of Sprengelia and other heath species for the cut flower market. These ecosystems are based on well developed areas of peat and as such it is critical that fire management does not remove organic material from the substrate. 8.2.7c: Need to prevent high intensity fires which would reduce tree hollow availability and remove shrub layers which form part of the diet of squirrel gliders. 8.2.7e: The ground stratum of this ecosystem is generally moist, decomposition rates high and consequently fuel accumulation usually low. Although it is fire tolerant, hydrological events (i.e.. seasonal flooding) are likely to be a major component of the ecosystems functioning. |
| Comments | 8.2.7a: The RE 8.2.7e occupies a similar niche associated with parabolic dunes but is dominated by other Melaleuca species or a combination of Melaleuca species including M. leucadendra. The RE 8.2.11 may sometimes be dominated by M. leucadendra and also occupies a similar niche but is associated with parallel (instead of parabolic) dunes. The RE 8.2.13a may include M. leucadendra but only as a subdominant with Corymbia and Eucalyptus species. Occurs in the Slade Point and Andergrove areas of North Mackay, subregion 2. Suffering minor to moderate weed invasion and substantial changes to drainage, affecting the level of the water table. Extensively cleared around the Mackay area. Overall, remnants are in moderate to poor condition. 8.2.7b: Distinguished from all other regional ecosystems by the dominance, co-dominance or subdominance of Eucalyptus robusta. Occurs mainly in subregions 5 and 4. Mapped on the north of Townshend Island, and also in an area south of Port Clinton to Water Park Creek (north of Corio Bay). Also occurs on Great Keppel Island. Mostly in very good condition, but vulnerable to drainage changes caused by road crossings and other earthworks. Naturally fairly resilient to weed invasion. 8.2.7c: Distinguished from all other regional ecosystems on land zone 2 by the dominance of Lophostemon suaveolens. Occurs mainly in subregion 4, from the northern tip of Townshend Island, along the eastern side of the island, also on the mainland adjacent to the coast, from the mouth of Island Head Creek to just south of Cape Manifold. Also Great Keppel Island. This ecosystem is vulnerable to weed invasion, with current condition of most sites moderate to good. Problem weed species are *Lantana camara, *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida and *Ipomoea cairica. 8.2.7e: When Melaleuca leucadendra is present 8.2.7e can be similar to 8.2.7a, however 8.2.7a is clearly dominated by M. leucadendra whereas at 8.2.7e only includes M. leucadendra as a co-dominant or subdominant species. Distinguished from 8.2.11 by the association with parabolic dunes (8.2.11 is associated with parallel dunes). The RE 8.2.4c may be similar but has a much more prominent wet heath ground layer and is usually strongly associated with either 8.2.4a or 8.2.4b. Occurs in subregion 1 on Whitsunday and Haslewood Islands. Subregion 2 at Slade Point, and Notch Point (west of Ilbilbie). Subregion 4-5 has it widely scattered from the northern tip of Townshend Island along the coast to Yeppoon and on Great Keppel Island. Ranges from excellent to poor depending on the degree of disturbance and the nature of the ground layer. Threatened by changes to drainage caused by housing developments and roads. Thick sedge dominated examples tend to be less prone to weed invasion. Common problem weeds currently include *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida, *Lantana camara and *Passiflora foetida. |
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.
