Regional ecosystem details for 8.3.13
| Regional ecosystem | 8.3.13 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 5, 2, 11.14, 4, (1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 20000 ha; Remnant 2021 7000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus tereticornis and/or Corymbia tessellaris and/or Melaleuca spp. woodland on alluvial and marine plains, often adjacent to estuarine areas |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Melaleuca quinquenervia and/or M. leucadendra and/or M. dealbata and/or Eucalyptus tereticornis and/or Corymbia tessellaris closed forest to low open woodland (to tall open forest) (5-35m tall). Associated canopy species may include Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora, Melaleuca viridiflora var. attenuata, Lophostemon suaveolens, Corymbia intermedia, Eucalyptus platyphylla and Albizia procera. Very sparse to sparse lower tree layers are sometimes present and may include Melaleuca spp., Livistona decora and Lophostemon suaveolens, and there is sometimes a well-developed rainforest element consisting of species such as Millettia pinnata, Scolopia braunii, Chionanthus ramiflorus and Jagera pseudorhus. A very sparse shrub layer may include Melaleuca spp. saplings, Acacia flavescens Planchonia careya and Petalostigma pubescens. The ground layer is very variable depending on the substrate and degree of inundation. Dominants may be one or several of Imperata cylindrica, Paspalum scrobiculatum, Ischaemum australe, Eremochloa bimaculata, Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum, Paspalidium distans, Themeda triandra and Cyperus polystachyos var. polystachyos. Plains, drainage depressions, fans, levees, swales, swamps, flood-outs and backplains (usually near-coastal) on level alluvial or marine plains to gently undulating rises of lowlands. Geology mapped as Qa, Qr and Qf (Quaternary clay, silt, sand, gravel and soil; floodplain alluvium, some colluvium, residual soil, flood-out sheets and small fans). Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 8.3.13a: Melaleuca quinquenervia and/or M. leucadendra closed forest to low open woodland (to tall open forest) (10-35m tall). Occasional associated species may include Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora, Melaleuca viridiflora var. attenuata, Lophostemon suaveolens, Corymbia intermedia and Eucalyptus tereticornis. Scattered trees forming a secondary tree layer are frequently present and may include Melaleuca spp., Livistona decora, Lophostemon suaveolens and Syncarpia glomulifera subsp. glomulifera. A very sparse shrub layer may include Melaleuca spp. saplings, Timonius timon var. timon, Acacia flavescens and Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum. The ground layer is very variable depending on the substrate and degree of inundation. Some combinations of dominants may include Paspalum scrobiculatum, Ischaemum australe and Leersia hexandra, or Eremochloa bimaculata with Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum, or Paspalidium distans with Ischaemum australe and Cyperus polystachyos var. polystachyos, or Ischaemum spp. with Entolasia stricta. Plains, drainage depressions, swamps, flood-outs and backplains (usually near-coastal) on level alluvial or marine plains to gently undulating rises of lowlands. Geology mapped as Qa (Quaternary alluvium, some colluvium and residual soil). Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). 8.3.13b: Melaleuca dealbata low open forest to low woodland (to open forest to woodland). Commonly consists of single-age stands of immature trees, and in some instances they are not present on the 1960s aerial photography (they were grasslands). Associated canopy species may include occasional Corymbia tessellaris and Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora (or M. viridiflora var. attenuata). Lower canopy and shrub layers are usually absent. The ground layer is often dominated by Paspalidium distans, and associated species may include Leersia hexandra, Chrysopogon filipes, Eleocharis spp. and Cyperus trinervis. Plains and very slight depressions on level swampy alluvial or marine plains of lowlands (in the vicinity of the coast). Geology mapped as Qa (Quaternary clay, silt, sand and gravel; floodplain alluvium). Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). 8.3.13c: Eucalyptus tereticornis and/or Corymbia tessellaris low woodland to open forest (9-22m tall). Melaleuca quinquenervia and/or M. dealbata are sometimes codominant or associated species in the canopy. Other occasional associated canopy species may include Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora (or M. viridiflora var. attenuata), Eucalyptus platyphylla Lophostemon suaveolens and Albizia procera. There are sometimes very sparse to sparse lower tree layers which may be dominated by species such as Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora, Eucalyptus tereticornis, E. platyphylla and Livistona decora, and there is sometimes a well-developed rainforest element consisting of species such as Millettia pinnata, Scolopia braunii, Chionanthus ramiflorus and Jagera pseudorhus. A very sparse shrub layer may be present and may be dominated by saplings from the tree layers and species such as Petalostigma pubescens, Ficus congesta var. congesta and Acacia disparrima subsp. disparrima. The ground layer is often sparse to mid-dense, and dominants may include Imperata cylindrica, Themeda triandra, Ischaemum australe var. villosum, and Cyperus spp. Plains, drainage depressions, fans, levees, swales and swamps on level alluvial and marine plains to undulating rises of lowlands. Geology is mapped as Qa, Qr and Qf (Quaternary clay, silt, sand, gravel and soil; floodplain alluvium, colluvial, residual deposits and small fans). Palustrine. (BVG1M: 9e). 8.3.13d: Corymbia tessellaris and or Eucalyptus tereticornis woodland to open woodland. There may be a very sparse secondary tree layer of Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora (or M. viridiflora var. attenuata) and Planchonia careya. The ground layer is grassy and mid-dense, frequently dominated by species such as Paspalidium distans and Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum, with other common associated species being Capillipedium spicigerum, Desmodium spp. and Alysicarpus spp. Marine plains and alluvial level plains adjacent to estuarine areas, of lowlands. Geology mapped as Qa and Qf (Quaternary sand, gravel and clay; mainly alluvium, some colluvium, residual soil, flood-out sheets and small fans). Palustrine. (BVG1M: 9e). |
| Supplementary description | Bailey et al. (2003), 8ME, 8MEa, MQ-3, MQa-3, 8MDb, 8MEc, MV, MVb-3; Batianoff, Dillewaard and Franks (1997), Vegetation unit 12 (in part), and 13; Brushe et al. (in prep), Map Unit c50-3, 50-3, 51-3, c45-3, c46-3, c51-2, c51-3; Cumming (1997), Vegetation |
| Protected areas | Byfield NP, Sandringham Bay CP, Bakers Creek CP, West Hill NP, Cape Palmerston NP, Broad Sound Islands Conservation Park, Conway NP, Causeway Lake CP, South Cumberland Islands NP, Broad Sound Islands NP |
| Special values | 8.3.13: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Xylosma ovata. 8.3.13a: Habitat for a large number of plant species that are wetland specialists and which are becoming rare as introduced weeds become more dominant in wetlands. Habitat to several poorly known plant species such as Nymphoides exiliflora which has rarely been recorded in the Central Queensland Coast Bioregion. 8.3.13b: Habitat some species which are rare in the Central Queensland Coast bioregion including Basilicum polystachyon, Alternanthera denticulata var. micrantha, Panicum larcomianum, Melochia corchorifolia and Eleocharis philippinensis. Habitat for plant species that are threatened due to widespread weed invasion by pest and alien pasture species, including Cyperus gunnii subsp. novae-hollandiae and Eleocharis spp. Northern limit of distribution of Lespedeza juncea, which is very rare in the Central Queensland Coast bioregion. 8.3.13c: Habitat for some species which are poorly known in the Central Qld Coast, including Panicum larcomianum, Alysicarpus schomburgkii, Lespedeza juncea subsp. sericea and Lobelia stenophylla. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. ISSUES: Moist ground stratum common to this ecosystem results in high litter decomposition rates and consequent low rates of fuel accumulation. Such inundation is probably a major functional component of this ecosystem. During fire planning and implementation, careful consideration should be given to assessing the location and extent of tree hollows and their long term persistence. |
| Comments | 8.3.13a: The RE 8.3.13a is distinguished from 8.3.13b by not being dominated by Melaleuca dealbata and from 8.3.13c and 8.3.13d by being dominated by Melaleuca spp. (instead of Eucalyptus spp. or Corymbia spp.). The RE 8.3.2 occurs in less swampy situations and is always dominated by Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora. The regional ecosystems 8.3.3a and 8.3.3b are strictly riparian (occurring on the banks of streams) whereas 8.3.13a is in swamps and poorly-drained depressions. The RE 8.3.11 is dominated by Melaleuca viridiflora var. attenuata. All other Melaleuca spp. dominated regional ecosystems occur in different land zones. Melaleuca viridiflora var. attenuata which occurs occasionally as an associated species in this RE has affinities to M. viridiflora var. viridiflora and M. quinquenervia. Scattered across the bioregion from Proserpine in the north to Carmila in subregion2. In subregions 4 and 5 between the Colcarra Range and Mt Solitude (west of Cape Manifold) and from Corio Bay west to near Charley Peak and south to Emu Park. Often poor due to the affects of drainage changes caused by the installation of drains, roads and housing developments, and by runoff containing fertilisers, sediment and weeds. Grazing has also encouraged weed establishment by increasing soil fertility, reducing competition from thick perennial plants and by disturbing the soil surface. Problem weeds include *Hymenachne amplexicaulis, *Urena lobata, *Passiflora foetida, *Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, *Urochloa mutica, *Echinochloa colona, *Mimosa pudica, *Paspalum conjugatum, *Sporobolus fertilis, *Sida rhombifolia, *Cynodon dactylon and various pasture grasses. 8.3.13b: This vegetation community appears to be in many instances quite young, having invaded open grasslands. The cause is unknown but may be due to cessation of burning practices and/or soil and water table changes as a result of cattle grazing and changes to drainage. Distinguished from all other Melaleuca spp. dominated regional ecosystems and vegetation communities on land zone 3 by the clear dominance of M. dealbata. Occurs around Goorganga Plains from near the Proserpine River (directly east of Proserpine) to just south of Campbells Plain and also south of the O'Connell River (5km north of Laguna Quays). Also occurs from Corio Bay to Yeppoon and west to Grays Hill. Moderate to very poor, particularly due to the invasion by *Urochloa mutica and various pasture grasses. Other common weeds include *Centrosema molle, *Paspalum conjugatum, *Eriochloa meyeriana, *Mimosa pudica, *Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, *Macroptilium atropurpureum, *M. lathyroides, *Phyllanthus debilis, *Ruellia simplex, *Sida spinosa, *Sporobolus spp., *Triumfetta rhomboidea, *Passiflora foetida and *Sesbania cannabina var. cannabina. 8.3.13c: Can be very similar in species composition to 8.2.13a and 8.2.13b, however these are on a sandy substrate from nearby dune systems (and are classified as Land Zone 2). The regional ecosystems 8.3.6a and 8.3.6c may be similar but have a drier, grassier ground stratum, and have a co-dominance to subdominance of Corymbia intermedia. Occurs in the north of Goorganga Plains, and scattered patches from Mackay south to approx. 15km south-west of Sarina. Also in the Shoalwater Bay area, around Port Clinton, north of Water Park Creek, and to the west of Corio Bay and Yeppoon. The relatively fertile soils make this vegetation community prone to weed invasion. Common weeds include *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida, *Melinis minutiflora, *Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, *Triumfetta rhomboidea and *Urochloa mutica. 8.3.13d: Many examples of this RE appear to be recent woody encroachment over former grasslands. Most similar to 8.3.6a, but distinguished by the close proximity to estuarine areas (usually only a few 100m from mangroves, or from drainage channels with estuarine influence). Also has a much simpler structure and lower tree/shrub diversity than 8.3.6a, in particular, lacking Corymbia intermedia, C. clarksoniana and Lophostemon suaveolens. Similar to 8.3.13c but lacking the dense layer of Melaleuca viridiflora. Occurs in subregion 2 in the area of Goorganga Plains and in Cape Palmerston National Park. There is a low to moderate degree of weed invasion. |
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.
