Regional ecosystem details for 11.1.3
| Regional ecosystem | 11.1.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 1, 14 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 3000 ha; Remnant 2021 2000 ha |
| Short description | Sedgelands on marine clay plains |
| Structure code | Sedgeland |
| Description | Sedgelands to grasslands on Quaternary estuarine deposits. Sedgeland dominated by a range of sedges and grasses which include Eleocharis philippinensis, Cyperus alopecuroides, C. scariosus and C. iria and the grasses Sporobolus virginicus and Paspalum vaginatum. Other typical species in shallower margins include Fimbristylis ferruginea, Phyla nodiflora and Cyperus polystachyos var. polystachyos. Occasional twiners such as Vincetoxicum carnosum may be present. Occurs in depressions on Quaternary estuarine deposits which are brackish to saline. These are may be seasonally inundated with fresh water, but dry out completely before the next season's rain. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.1.3a: Melaleuca spp. and/or Eucalyptus tereticornis open woodland to woodland. Mangrove trees and shrubs are often present, and there are sometimes scattered shrubs of Myoporum acuminatum. There is usually a dense ground layer of Sporobolus virginicus, with other species including Vincetoxicum carnosum, Fimbristylis ferruginea, Cyperus scariosus, C. polystachyos, Gymnanthera oblonga, Acrostichum speciosum and Centella asiatica. Occurs on transition zone between tidally inundated areas and areas under fresh water influence. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a). |
| Supplementary description | Christian et al. (1953), Littoral; Forster and Barton (1995), Waratah; Cumming (2000); Bean (1992) |
| Protected areas | Wongaloo CP, Bowling Green Bay NP, Bowling Green Bay CP, Cape Upstart NP, Magnetic Island CP 1, Bolger Bay CP, Magnetic Island NP |
| Special values | 11.1.3: Provides wetland habitat for waders and a range of waterfowl. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Various. INTENSITY: Low. INTERVAL: Typically > every 4 years. Rubbervine or other weed control may require two fires within 2 or 3 years which should be followed by an absence of fire for > 5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 4. INTERVAL_MAX: 50. STRATEGY: Do not actively target for burning, except for the control of rubbervine. Can tolerate being burnt when implementing fires in adjacent vegetation. ISSUES: Saltpan species, e.g. Sporobolus virginicus, Tecticornia indica and Suaeda australis can tolerate occasional fires, but do not require fire for recruitment. Tecticornia indica and Suaeda australis, should have long-term persistence. Only burn if required as part of burning adjacent vegetation or for rubbervine control. |
| Comments | 11.1.3: Includes areas that may be subject to freshwater influence. Usually associated with RE 11.1.1 or RE 11.1.2, and always in close proximity to these ecosystems. In some instances, can be difficult to determine the boundary between tidal saltmarshes and freshwater swamps (Bruinsma 2000). Merges into freshwater sedgelands (11.3.27d). Heavily invaded by weeds in some districts with *Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, *Mesosphaerum suaveolens, *Sida spp. and *Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon prominent in some localities e.g. Alma Beach near Ayr. Occurs along coastal parts in the north and south of the bioregion. Threatened by urban development along coastal lowlands. 11.1.3a: Over storey tree species often dead or dying back due to salt water inundation. |
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.
