Regional ecosystem details for 3.2.8
| Regional ecosystem | 3.2.8 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Extent in reserves | This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 3.2.7, 3.2.10b and 3.2.17. |
| Short description | Corymbia nesophila woodland on old stabilised dunes |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 3.2.7, 3.2.10b and 3.2.17. Corymbia nesophila (Melville Island bloodwood) woodland to open forest, often with C. novoguinensis as a co-dominant. Scattered Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree) are often present. The subcanopy is absent to very sparse and can include canopy species, Acacia rothii and Asteromyrtus brassii. The very sparse to sparse mixed shrub layer includes Acacia polystachya and heath species such as Leucopogon yorkensis, Lithomyrtus obtusa (beach Myrtella) and Choriceras tricorne (Cape Choriceras). The very sparse to sparse grassy groundlayer can include Eriachne pallescens, Alloteropsis semialata (cockatoo grass) and Schelhammera multiflora. Occurs on old stabilised dunes and sandy alluvium. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.2.8a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.2.7 or 3.2.10b. Corymbia nesophila (Melville Island bloodwood) dominates the sparse to mid-dense canopy (9-16m tall). C. novoguinensis (bloodwood) frequently is present as a subdominant canopy tree. Scattered Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree) are frequently present. The very sparse sub-canopy tree layer (6-10m tall) is composed mainly of C. nesophila. The shrub layer (0.5-3m tall) is sparse. Common species in this layer are Dalbergia densa, Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood), C. nesophila, Lomandra banksii (matrush) and M. myrtifolia. The ground layer is sparse. Alloteropsis semialata (Cockatoo grass), Mnesithea rottboellioides (northern cane grass), Lomandra spp. And Sarga plumosum (plume sorghum) are the principal species in this layer. Occurs on old stabilised dunes and sandy alluvium. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14c). 3.2.8b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.2.17. Corymbia nesophila (Melville Island bloodwood) dominates the sparse canopy. A number of other Eucalyptus spp. or Corymbia spp. may form minor components of the canopy. Eucalyptus brassiana (Cape York red gum) occurs as a codominant canopy species at a number of sites. The very sparse sub-canopy tree layer is dominated by C. nesophila, Acacia flavescens (powder puff wattle), Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp mahogany) and Grevillea glauca (bushman's clothes peg). The shrub layer is very sparse. A. flavescens, Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood), C. nesophila and Persoonia falcata (geebung) are the most frequently encountered species. The ground layer varies from sparse to sparse to mid-dense. The dominant grasses are Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass), Eriachne pallescens (wanderrie grass), Aristida spp. (three-awned speargrass) and Heteropogon triticeus (giant speargrass). Common forbs include Spermacoce spp., Cyanthillium cinereum and Flemingia parviflora (flemingia). Occurs on old stabilised dunes and sandy alluvium. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14c). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Commence planned burns early in the dry season, after the wet season when dry enough to burn. Use occasional storm burns but generally avoid periods of extremely hot, dry conditions. INTENSITY: Low to moderate with occasional high during storm burns. INTERVAL: 2-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Apply a mosaic across the landscape at a range of intervals to create varying stages of post-fire response. Burn 30-60% at the property level. ISSUES: To mitigate against the impact of late dry season fires, commence burning early in the season and continue through the dry to break up continuity of fuels across the landscape. Planned fire applied repeatedly early in the dry season may lead to woody thickening because fires are not of sufficiently high intensity; this may be exacerbated by stock grazing. Manage extent, intensity and frequency of fires judiciously, to avoid habitat tree loss. |
| Comments | 3.2.8: Was previously mapped as 3.2.8a. Found on east coast from Lockhardt River north. Also small areas in the Torres Strait and near Cooktown. |
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.
