Regional ecosystem details for 8.3.1
| Regional ecosystem | 8.3.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Riverine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 2, 5, 4, 11.14, 6, 3, (1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 14000 ha; Remnant 2021 7000 ha |
| Short description | Semi-deciduous to evergreen notophyll to mesophyll vine forest, +/- sclerophyll emergents, fringing or in the vicinity of watercourses |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Semi-deciduous to evergreen notophyll to mesophyll vine forest. Emergents may include Terminalia sericocarpa, Nauclea orientalis, Lophostemon suaveolens and Melaleuca leucadendra. Canopy composition is variable but may include Beilschmiedia obtusifolia, Cordia dichotoma, Argyrodendron polyandrum, Acmenosperma claviflorum, Cryptocarya hypospodia, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, Elaeocarpus eumundi, Acmena smithii and Commersonia bartramia. Lower tree layers might include Acmenosperma claviflorum, Aphananthe philippinensis, Cleistanthus dallachyanus, Diospyros hebecarpa, Mallotus philippensis, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana and Polyscias australiana. Occasional shrubs are Cyclophyllum coprosmoides, Ixora beckleri, Memecylon pauciflorum, Scolopia braunii and Alyxia ruscifolia. The ground layer is very sparse and may include Oplismenus spp., Aneilema acuminatum, Ottochloa nodosa and Alpinia caerulea. Common vines are Cissus oblonga, Austrosteenisia blackii and Flagellaria indica. Epiphytes include Platycerium bifurcatum and Cymbidium madidum. Occurs stream banks, gullies, levees, plains and terrace flats (fringing or in vicinity of watercourses) on level plains to rolling hills of lowlands and foothills. Geologies mapped as Qa, Qf, Qha and Qr (Quaternary clay, silt, sand, gravel, rubble and soil, semi-consolidated in places; mainly alluvium, some colluvium and residual soil, flood-out sheets, small fans, active stream channels and low terraces). Riverine. (BVG1M: 4b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 8.3.1a: Semi-deciduous notophyll to mesophyll vine forest. Emergents are occasionally present and may include Terminalia sericocarpa, Alstonia scholaris, Argyrodendron polyandrum, Nauclea orientalis and Melaleuca leucadendra. The canopy composition is very variable, with the species most commonly present being Beilschmiedia obtusifolia, Cordia dichotoma, Argyrodendron polyandrum, Acmenosperma claviflorum, Cryptocarya hypospodia, Diospyros hebecarpa, Ficus virens and Litsea fawcettiana. Archontophoenix alexandrae may be locally abundant in seasonally waterlogged depressions. The most common vines in the canopy are Cissus oblonga, Austrosteenisia blackii and Flagellaria indica. There are usually lower tree layers, frequently dominated by Acmenosperma claviflorum, Aphananthe philippinensis, Cleistanthus dallachyanus, Diospyros hebecarpa, Diploglottis obovata, Mallotus philippensis, Cryptocarya triplinervis, Melicope elleryana, Arytera divaricata, Aglaia brownii and Gossia bidwillii. There may be a shrub layer with typical species including Cyclophyllum coprosmoides, Ixora beckleri, Memecylon pauciflorum, Scolopia braunii and Tapeinosperma pseudojambosa. The ground layer is usually very sparse and typical species are Oplismenus spp., Aneilema acuminatum, Cordyline murchisoniae, Geophila repens and Pseuderanthemum variabile. Plains and levees (fringing or in vicinity of watercourses) on level alluvial plains to undulating hills of lowlands and foothills. Geology mapped variously as Qa, Qf, Qha and Qf>Pc/v (Quaternary clay, silt, sand, gravel, rubble and soil, semi-consolidated in places; mainly alluvium, some colluvium and residual soil, active stream channels, low terraces, flood-out sheets and small fans). Riverine. (BVG1M: 4b). 8.3.1b: Evergreen notophyll feather palm vine forest. Emergents may include Lophostemon suaveolens, Corymbia intermedia, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Melaleuca leucadendra and Ficus rubiginosa. The canopy is dominated by species such as Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, Elaeocarpus eumundi, Acmena smithii, Commersonia bartramia, Cryptocarya vulgaris, Endiandra discolor, Pleioluma queenslandica and Mischarytera lautereriana. Lower tree layers may include Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, Polyscias australiana, Acmena smithii, Chionanthus ramiflorus, Elaeodendron melanocarpum, Litsea fawcettiana and Melicope elleryana. A shrub layer includes species such as Scolopia braunii, Alyxia ruscifolia, Myrsine porosa, Psychotria loniceroides, Cordyline manners-suttoniae and Cordyline murchisoniae. The ground layer is usually very sparse and may include Ottochloa nodosa, Alpinia caerulea, Blechnum cartilagineum and Lomandra longifolia. Common vines are Flagellaria indica, Freycinetia scandens, Piper hederaceum and Smilax australis. Epiphytes include Platycerium bifurcatum and Cymbidium madidum. Stream banks, gullies, levees, plains and terrace flats (fringing or in vicinity of watercourses) of level plains to rolling hills of lowlands and foothills. Geologies mapped as Qr, Qr>PKg, Qr,Tw and Qr>Ccs (Quaternary clay, silt, sand, gravel and soil; colluvial and residual deposits). Riverine. (BVG1M: 4b). |
| Protected areas | Byfield NP, Dryander NP, Reliance Creek NP, Dryander FR, Bluff Hill NP, South Cumberland Islands NP, Eungella NP, Sandringham Bay CP, Crediton FR, Mount Martin NP, Pioneer Peaks NP |
| Special values | 8.3.1: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Medicosma obovata, Neisosperma kilneri, Phaius australis, Ristantia waterhousei, Solanum sporadotrichum. 8.3.1a: Habitat for threatened plant species Medicosma obovata, Neisosperma kilneri and Trigonostemon inopinatus, and the near threatened species Rhodamnia glabrescens, Sarcotoechia heterophylla and Solanum sporadotrichum. Also habitat for a plant species of restricted range such as Arytera sp. (Dryander Creek P.R.Sharpe 4184), and species poorly known in the Central Queensland Coast bioregion such as Geophila repens and Ventilago pubiflora. Critical habitat for fruit pigeons and the Rufous Owl. In cleared farmlands, remnant rainforests on creek lines helps to slow their degradation and maintain water quality, which assists a variety of wildlife including fish, birds and invertebrates. 8.3.1b: Habitat for restricted plant species such as Macrozamia miquelii, and plant species at their southern range limits such as Exallage lapeyrousei. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. ISSUES: 8.3.1a: There is some evidence to suggest that low intensity fire directly adjacent to this forest will encourage germination of rainforest pioneers and consequent, eventual expansion of this ecosystem if it is not currently at its natural limits of distribution. However, this ecosystem is fire sensitive and will be degraded by fire which also facilitates weed infestation. 8.3.1b: Fire sensitive, fire management should consider fine scale mosaic burning in adjacent areas to minimise scorching edges. |
| Comments | 8.3.1a: Distinguished from most other rainforest regional ecosystems and vegetation communities by its occurrence on Quaternary alluvium, closely associated with creeks. Distinguished from 8.3.1b by occurring in subregions 1-3 and 6 (8.3.1b occurs in subregion 4 and 5 only) and there are a suite of species occurring in 8.3.1b which are at the northern limit of their range and therefore do not occur in 8.3.1a (such as Macrozamia miquelii). Also closely related to 8.3.10 which occurs away from creek lines, and 8.3.9 which occurs on perched alluvials in valleys of undulating mountain ranges. Widely distributed along watercourses throughout subregions 1 to 3 and 6, from Cape Gloucester to St Lawrence. Major lowland rainforest regional ecosystem now mostly cleared for sugar cane. Threatened by fire, pesticide run-off, weed invasion, and machinery damage to edges. Significant weeds include mango (*Mangifera indica), guava (*Psidium guajava) and cats claw (*Macfadyena unguis-cati). Others include *Rivina humilis, *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida and *Lantana camara. 8.3.1b: Distinguished from most other rainforest regional ecosystems and vegetation communities by its occurrence on Quaternary alluvium, closely associated with creeks. Distinguished from 8.3.1a by occurring in subregion 4 and 5 only (8.3.1b occurs in subregions 1-3 and 6) and there are a suite of species occurring in 8.3.1b which are at the northern limit of their range and therefore do not occur in 8.3.1a (such as Macrozamia miquelii). Also closely related to 8.3.10 which occurs away from creek lines, and 8.3.9 which occurs on perched alluvials in valleys of undulating mountain ranges. Widely distributed along watercourses throughout subregions 4 and 5, from Georges Creek in the southern most part of Shoalwater Bay, south to Alligator Creek (20km north of Camoo Caves and east to the Corio Bay area). Much of the extent of this vegetation community lies in fairly undisturbed areas and therefore it remains in good condition compared to other fringing communities in the bioregion. Despite this, the fertile soils and regular flooding disturbance enable weed establishment. The most common weeds are *Lantana camara, *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida, *Triumfetta rhomboidea, *Solanum seaforthianum and *Rivina humilis. |
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.
