Regional ecosystem details for 8.3.3
| Regional ecosystem | 8.3.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Riverine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 2, 3, 4, 6, (5), (11.14), (1), (11.2), (11.12) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 27000 ha; Remnant 2021 16000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca leucadendra and/or M. fluviatilis and/or Casuarina cunninghamiana +/- Syncarpia glomulifera open forest on creek banks |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Melaleuca leucadendra and/or M. fluviatilis and/or Casuarina cunninghamiana open forest to woodland (to low open forest to low-woodland) (8-30m tall). Associated species may include Lophostemon suaveolens, Corymbia intermedia, Nauclea orientalis, Terminalia sericocarpa, Syncarpia glomulifera subsp. glomulifera, Corymbia intermedia, Ficus racemosa and Eucalyptus tereticornis. There are sometimes very sparse to mid-dense lower tree and shrub layers which include rainforest pioneering or riparian species such as Carallia brachiata, Glochidion sumatranum, Melaleuca viminalis, Nauclea orientalis, Syzygium australe, Allocasuarina spp., Syzygium oleosum, Cryptocarya vulgaris, Mallotus philippensis, Acacia flavescens, Scolopia braunii, Millettia pinnata, Timonius timon var. timon, Lophostemon grandiflorus and Grevillea venusta. The ground layer is typically very sparse, and dominant species may include Lomandra longifolia, Lomandra hystrix, Pteridium esculentum, Gahnia aspera, Scleria sphacelata, Ottochloa nodosa, Oplismenus spp., Adiantum aethiopicum and Chrysopogon filipes. Stream banks and levees (sandy or rocky) on level plains to rolling hills of lowlands and foothills. Geology is Qf, Qa, Qha and Qr (Quaternary sand, gravel, clay, silt, gravel, rubble and soil, semi-consolidated in places; flood-out sheets, small fans, floodplain alluvium, active stream channels, low terraces, some colluvium and residual soil). Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 8.3.3a: Melaleuca leucadendra or M. fluviatilis and/or Casuarina cunninghamiana open forest to woodland (to low open forest to low-woodland) (8-30m tall). Occasional associated species include Lophostemon suaveolens, Corymbia intermedia, Nauclea orientalis, Terminalia sericocarpa, Ficus racemosa, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Corymbia trachyphloia and Pandanus cookii. There are sometimes very sparse to mid-dense lower tree and shrub layers which may consist of rainforest pioneering or riparian species such as Carallia brachiata, Glochidion sumatranum, Nauclea orientalis, Syzygium australe, Mallotus philippensis, Scolopia braunii, Cryptocarya vulgaris, Millettia pinnata, Timonius timon var. timon, Lophostemon grandiflorus, Livistona decora and Ficus congesta var. congesta. Sclerophyllous species may include Melaleuca viminalis, Casuarina cunninghamiana, Lophostemon suaveolens, Acacia aulacocarpa, A. flavescens and Grevillea banksii. The ground layer is typically very sparse, and dominant species may include Oplismenus spp., Lomandra longifolia, Lomandra hystrix, Scleria sphacelata, Pteridium esculentum, Ottochloa nodosa, Adiantum aethiopicum, Gahnia aspera, Chrysopogon filipes and Imperata cylindrica. Stream banks and levees (sandy or rocky) on level plains to rolling hills of lowlands and foothills. Geology is mapped as Qf, Qa, Qha and Qr (Quaternary sand, gravel, clay, silt, gravel, rubble and soil, semi-consolidated in places; flood-out sheets, small fans, floodplain alluvium, active stream channels, low terraces, some colluvium and residual soil). Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). 8.3.3b: Melaleuca leucadendra open forest to woodland (to low open forest to low-woodland) (9-25m tall). Associated species in the canopy may include Syncarpia glomulifera subsp. glomulifera, Corymbia intermedia, Lophostemon suaveolens, Cryptocarya vulgaris, Eucalyptus portuensis, E. tereticornis, Allocasuarina littoralis and Polyalthia nitidissima. Emergents such as E. portuensis and S. glomulifera subsp. glomulifera may be present. There is often a mid-dense to very sparse secondary tree layer dominated by species such as Allocasuarina spp., Syzygium oleosum, Cryptocarya vulgaris, Acacia flavescens and Sersalisia sericea. A shrub layer is sometimes present, and may include Grevillea venusta, Acacia flavescens, Scolopia braunii, Hibbertia vestita, and Glochidion ferdinandi. The ground layer is very sparse to sparse consisting of species such as Lomandra longifolia, Gahnia aspera, Macrozamia miquelii, Scleria sphacelata, Dianella caerulea Bowenia serrulata and Pteridium esculentum. Stream banks (often rocky) and terrace flats on undulating low hills to steep hills of foothills. Geology is Qa (Quaternary clay, silt, sand, gravel and soil; floodplain alluvium, colluvial and residual deposits). Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). |
| Supplementary description | Bailey et al. (2003), CRPml-3, RP-3; Batianoff, Dillewaard and Franks (1997), 16, 17, 18; Bean (1992b ), Vegetation type Cc: Riverine forest; Brushe et al.: Map Unit c29, c30; c54-11, c54-12, c77; Cumming (1997), Vegetation type: 22 |
| Protected areas | Byfield NP, Cape Palmerston NP, West Hill NP, Bluff Hill NP, Dryander NP, Eungella NP, Kelvin NP, Kelvin FR, Pioneer Peaks NP, Conway NP, Mount Martin NP, Sandringham Bay CP, Andromache CP |
| Special values | 8.3.3: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Grevillea venusta, Lobelia membranacea, Sowerbaea subtilis. 8.3.3a: Habitat for near threatened plant species Eulophia bicallosa and Lobelia membranacea. The combination of the fairly high diversity of canopy or subcanopy species, species not found in the surrounding landscape, and humid micro-environment makes this vegetation community an important food resource and refuge for a variety of fauna which are then often able to utilise the surrounding ecosystems. Habitat for the Rufous Owl and Grey Goshawk. 8.3.3b: Habitat for vulnerable plant species Grevillea venusta. Habitat for species that are poorly known in the Central Queensland Coast bioregion including Dodonaea triquetra, Daviesia umbellulata, Melaleuca hemisticta, Zieria minutiflora subsp. trichocarpa, Hibbertia velutina, Hovea longipes and species at the northern limit of their range such as Hibbertia vestita, Pomaderris ferruginea, Sannantha bidwillii, Philotheca difformis subsp. smithiana, Macrozamia miquelii, Lepidosperma elatius and Hovea clavata. Also habitat for Bowenia serrulata which is restricted to the Shoalwater area. The combination of the fairly high diversity of canopy or subcanopy species, species not found in the surrounding landscape, and humid micro-environment makes this vegetation community an important food resource and refuge for a variety of fauna which are then often able to utilise the surrounding ecosystems. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. ISSUES: River oaks are fire sensitive and will be killed by even low intensity fire. |
| Comments | 8.3.3a: Similar to 8.3.3b but lacks the prominent presence of Syncarpia glomulifera subsp. glomulifera, as well as species such as Grevillea venusta, Macrozamia miquelii and Bowenia serrulata. Distinguished from all other regional ecosystems and vegetation communities by the occurrence on stream banks and dominance of Melaleuca leucadendra or M. fluviatilis and/or Casuarina cunninghamiana. Widely spread throughout the lowland areas of the bioregion, from east of Dingo Beach in the north to St Lawrence. Also occurs in subregions 4 and 5 from Townshend Island in the north to Yeppoon. Ranges from excellent to very poor, usually depending on how disturbed the surrounding land is and whether water flow has been interrupted by weirs and dams. Many streams have become severely eroded due to clearing or gradual vegetation loss through burning (usually for surrounding cane harvesting). Cattle frequent the banks for water and shade, and this, in combination with the naturally high fertility of this vegetation community, makes severe weed invasion a common problem. Problem weed species include *Lantana camara, *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida, *Solanum seaforthianum, *Triumfetta rhomboidea, *Megathyrsus maximus and *Ageratum spp. 8.3.3b: Similar to 8.3.3b but is distinguished by the prominent presence of Syncarpia glomulifera subsp. glomulifera, as well as the presence of species such as Grevillea venusta, Macrozamia miquelii and Bowenia serrulata. Distinguished from all other regional ecosystems by a combination of occurring strictly on stream banks and being dominated by Melaleuca leucadendra. Occurs only fringing water courses around the Coast Range area west of Corio Bay, subregion 5. Most examples within the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area (SWBTA) and Byfield National Park are in good condition despite being vulnerable to weed invasion. Weed species recorded include *Lantana camara, *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida and *Melinis minutiflora. |
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.
