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Regional ecosystem details for 12.3.8

Regional ecosystem 12.3.8
Vegetation Management Act class Of concern
Wetlands Palustrine
Biodiversity status Of concern
Subregion 2, 4, 7, 6, 8, 5, 3, (10), (9), (1)
Estimated extent1 Pre-clearing 8000 ha; Remnant 2021 4000 ha
Short description Swamps with Cyperus spp., Schoenoplectus spp. and Eleocharis spp.
Structure code Sedgeland
Description Swamps with characteristic species including Cyperus spp., Schoenoplectus spp., Philydrum lanuginosum, Eleocharis spp., Leersia hexandra, Cycnogeton procerus, Nymphaea spp., Nymphoides indica, Persicaria spp., Phragmites australis, Typha spp. and a wide range of sedges grasses or forbs. Emergent Melaleuca spp. may sometimes occur. Occurs in freshwater swamps associated with floodplains. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c).

Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include:
12.3.8a: Swamps with characteristic species including Carex appressa, Juncus spp., Persicaria spp., and Cyperus spp. Occurs in closed depressions on the margins of elevated Tertiary basalt landscapes. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c).
Supplementary description Bean et al. (1998), C10
Protected areas Burrum Coast NP, Noosa NP, Poona NP, Coolum Creek CP, Deepwater NP, Coalstoun Lakes NP, Eurimbula NP, Glass House Mountains NP, Great Sandy NP, Main Range NP, Tamborine NP, Bottle Creek CP
Special values 12.3.8: Provides wetland habitat for a plant and fauna. 12.3.8a: Provides wetland habitat for a plant and fauna.
Fire management guidelines INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Burn in association with surrounding vegetation. Surrounding vegetation should be burnt when swamp is wet to avoid undesirable effects such as peat fire. ISSUES: Some elements of this RE will be flammable. Though not usually deliberately burnt, fire should not be avoided. This RE will often burn in association with surrounding ecosystems. Moist conditions are desirable for any planned burning activities in this ecosystem.
Comments 12.3.8: Many small areas not mapped at 1:100 000 scale. Important for water birds and freshwater invertebrates and vertebrates such as tortoises. Many shallower seasonal water bodies in the region have been drained or have become silted. Naturalised species associated with this regional ecosystem include *Cenchrus purpurascens. Generally a palustrine wetland although also includes larger areas of lacustrine water bodies, particularly in association with modifications to hydrology associated with construction of bunding and levees. 12.3.8a: Too small to map at 1:100 000 scale. Subject to trampling and pugging from stock. Some examples have been enalarged by excavation or bunding.

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.

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Licence
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Last updated
16 November 2023