Regional ecosystem details for 3.2.3
| Regional ecosystem | 3.2.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 9, 7, 4, (1), (6), (3), (2), (8), (5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 18000 ha; Remnant 2021 18000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca dealbata or Lophostemon suaveolens open forest in dune swales |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Melaleuca dealbata and/or Lophostemon suaveolens open forest to woodland, commonly with Acacia crassicarpa, Acmena hemilampra, Asteromyrtus brassii, Deplanchea tetraphylla and Syzygium suborbiculare. Melaleuca cajuputi may occasionally replace Melaleuca dealbata in the canopy layer. The sparse sub canopy contains canopy species with Cyclophyllum coprosmoides, Dillenia alata, Pandanus spp. and Acacia spp. Also common. The very sparse to mid-dense shrub layer contains canopy species with Hibbertia spp. And Alyxia spicata common. The dense to sparse ground layer contains various sedge and grass species and Lomandra spp. Occurs in swales behind frontal dunes or in dunefields. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.2.3a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community now mapped as 3.2.3. Open forest of Melaleuca dealbata (often mono-specific). There is a very sparse low shrublayer with scattered M. dealbata, M. viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree), Livistona muelleri (cabbage palm) and Pandanus spp. The sparse ground layer is often dominated by Chrysopogon rigidus or Cyperus spp. Occurs in dune swales adjacent to frontal dunes. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). 3.2.3b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community now mapped as 3.2.3. Open forest to low open forest of Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp mahogany) +/- Acmena hemilampra +/- Asteromyrtus brassii. Where present Melaleuca saligna (paperbark) is usually co-dominant. The sparse subcanopy often has L. suaveolens, Dillenia alata (red beech), Acacia crassicarpa (spoon tree), Livistona spp. and Dodonaea polyandra (hopbush). Hibbertia banksii (Guinea flower) is often dominant in a sparse to mid-dense shrublayer. The often dense ground layer can be dominated by Lomandra spp. and Blechnum spp. while Melastoma malabathricum and Scleria spp. are often present. Occurs on deep uniform bleached sand and is restricted to areas that may be subject to periodic water logging in a few sheltered swales in dunefields. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). |
| Protected areas | Possession Island NP, Cape Melville NP (CYPAL) |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Protection relies on management of surrounding country to reduce fuel loads and minimise wildfire incursion. Occasional high intensity fire may be necessary for the Acacia species, but restrict extent to less than 10% in any year. ISSUES: Fire sensitive vegetation type. |
| Comments | 3.2.3: In some areas Melaleuca cajaputi may be dominant. West coast of the bioregion and in the Torres Strait Islands. 3.2.3a: West coast of the bioregion and Muralag and Moa islands in the Torres St. The alien scandent shrub, Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine) was present at all sites sampled. 3.2.3b: Mainly on dunefields in the Torres Strait. |
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.
2 Superseded: Revision of the regional ecosystem classification removed this regional ecosystem code from use. It is included in the regional ecosystem description database because the RE code may appear in older versions of RE mapping and the Vegetation Management regulation.
