Regional ecosystem details for 3.3.1
| Regional ecosystem | 3.3.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Riverine |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, 2, 6, (5), (9.3), (7.9), (3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 46000 ha; Remnant 2021 45000 ha |
| Short description | Semi-deciduous notophyll vine forest on loamy alluvia |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Semi deciduous mesophyll to notophyll vine forest which can include Nauclea orientalis (Leichhardt tree), Bombax ceiba (kapok), Semecarpus australiensis (tar tree), Terminalia sericocarpa (sovereignwood), Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Gyrocarpus americanus (helicopter tree), Castanospermum australe (black bean), Aleurites moluccanus (candlenut) (candlenut) and Alstonia scholaris (milky pine). Corypha utan (cabbage palm) is a distinctive component of the unit in the south. A very sparse shrub/low tree layer is usually present. Mainly occurs in catchments on loamy alluvia. Riverine. (BVG1M: 4b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.3.1a: Semi-deciduous notophyll vine forest. Ficus albipila var. albipila and Tetrameles nudiflora are commonly emergent. Canopy species can include Adenanthera pavonina, Aglaia spectabilis, Albizia retusa, Celtis hildebrandii, Castanospermum australe (black bean), Aleurites moluccanus (candlenut), Alstonia scholaris (milky pine), Argyrodendron polyandrum (brown tulip oak), Beilschmiedia obtusifolia (black walnut), Blepharocarya involucrigera, Buchanania arborescens (native mango), Celtis hildebrandii, Cordia dichotoma, Cryptocarya hypospodia, Dysoxylum latifolia, Dysoxylum papuanum and Endiandra longipedicellata (buff walnut), Endiandra impressicosta, Ficus albipila, Ficus racemosa, Nauclea orientalis (Leichhardt tree), Neonauclea gordoniana, Palaquium galactoxylon, Semecarpus australiensis (tar tree), Syzygium bamagense, Syzygium malaccense, Syzygium pseudofastigatum, Terminalia complanate, Terminalia sericocarpa (sovereignwood) and Wrightia laevis (white cheesewood). A sparse to very dense sub-canopy can include Berrya javanaica, Cryptocarya rhodosperma, Endiandra impressicosta, Margaritaria indica, Mallotus philippensis (red kamala), M. polyadenos (kamala), Myristica globosa subsp. Muelleri (Queensland nutmeg), Planchonella obovoidea, Arytera divaricata (rose tamarind), Pisonia umbellifera (cabbage wood), Toechima daemelianum (Cape tamarind) and Diospyros maritima (ebony). The palms Ptychosperma elegans (solitaire palm) and Archontophoenix tuckeri are often present. The sparse to mid-dense shrub layer can include Cleistanthus apodus (weeping cleistanthus), Glycosmis trifoliata, Atractocarpus sessilis (false gardenia), Leea novoguineensis (bandicoot berry), Lunasia amara var. amara, Diospyros laurina and Cryptocarya hypospodia (northern laurel). The ground layer is very sparse and composed mainly of seedlings. Mainly occurs in catchments on loamy alluvia. Riverine. (BVG1M: 4b). 3.3.1b: Semi-deciduous mesophyll vine forest. Bombax ceiba, Alstonia scholaris or Fiscus albipila var albipila emergents up to 30m tall occasionally occur. Common canopy species can include Alstonia scholaris, Argyrodendron polyandrum, Beilschmiedia obtusifolia, Buchanania arborescens, Cryptocarya hypospodia, Terminalia sericocarpa, Canarium australianum, Syzygium tierneyanum, Barringtonia calyptrata, Blepharocarya involucrigera, Endiandra longipedicellata, Myristica globosa subsp. muelleri, Semecarpus australiensis, Wrightia laevis, Acacia polystachya, Bombax ceiba var. leiocarpum, Calophyllum australianum, Cleistanthus apodus, Elaeocarpus grandis, Falcataria toona, Ficus racemosa, Miliusa horsfieldii, Pisonia umbellifera, Podocarpus grayae, Premna acuminata, Syzygium cormiflorum, Trema orientalis, Tristaniopsis exiliflora. Sub-canopy species usually include Arytera divaricata, Atractocarpus sessilis, Austrosteenisia blackii, Castanospermum australe, Ficus copiosa, Mallotus philippensis, Myristica insipida, Pisonia umbellifera, Planchonella obovata, Salacia disepala, Trophis scandens subsp. scandens. Other sub-canopy species including Aglaia sapindina, Aidia racemosa, Alchornea rugosa, Alphitonia excelsa, Ampelocissus acetosa, Atalaya spp., Austrosteenisia stipularis, Calamus australis, Callicarpa, Callitriche, Calophyllum, Calophyllum sil, Carallia brachiata, Carronia protensa, Chionanthus ramiflorus, Choriceras tricorne, Cleistanthus apodus, Cryptocarya triplinervis var. riparia, Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Decalobanthus peltatus, Derris trifoliata, Diospyros geminata, Diospyros maritima, Entada phaseoloides, Epipremnum pinnatum, Erycibe coccinea, Ficus fraseri, Ficus racemosa, Flacourtia spp., Ganophyllum falcatum, Glochidion philippicum, Glycosmis trifoliata, Gossia bidwillii, Gymnanthera oblonga, Hippocratea barbata, Ichnocarpus frutescens, Jagera pseudorhus var. pseudorhus, Jasminum simplicifolium subsp. australiense, Leea novoguineensis, Macaranga tanarius, Mallotus polyadenos, Melodorum leichhardtii, Micromelum minutum, Miliusa brahei, Miliusa horsfieldii, Millettia pinnata, Mimusops elengi, Myristica globosa subsp. muelleri, Pleiogynium timorense, Premna serratifolia, Rhamnella vitiensis, Stictocardia tiliifolia, Streblus brunonianus, Strychnos minor, Tetracera nordtiana, Tristaniopsis exiliflora, Tritaxis australiensis, Wrightia laevis commonly occur. The cabbage palm Corypha utan is a distinctive component of this subunit along the Laura river. Oplismenus mollis, Panicum trichoides and Rhynchospora heterochaeta are frequent graminoids. Alluvial floodplains & riverbanks in south-eastern Cape York Peninsula. Riverine. (BVG1M: 4b). 3.3.1c: Semi-deciduous mesophyll vine forest dominated by Terminalia catappa, Acacia auriculiformis and Myristica insipida. Occurs on loamy alluvia. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 4b). 3.3.1d: Evergreen to semi-deciduous vine forest dominated by Buchanania arborescens (native mango), Acacia polystachya (wattle), Canarium australianum (mango bark), Beilschmiedia obtusifolia (blush walnut) and Cryptocarya hypospodia (northern laurel) with Podocarpus grayae (northern brown pine) and Syzygium forte (white apple). S. bamagense (Bamaga satinash) is also dominant where present and can also be emergent. The sub-canopy often includes Cryptocarya cunninghamii, Garcinia dulcis (Claudie mangosteen), Polyscias elegans (celery wood) and Ptychosperma elegans (solitaire palm). The vines Flagellaria indica (supplejack) and Calamus spp. (lawyer cane) are often present. The shrub layer commonly includes Atractocarpus sessilis (native Gardenia), Aglaia euryanthera, and Cleistanthus spp. as well as juvenile canopy species. The sparse ground layer often has Dianella spp. and seedlings. Occurs on levees and floodplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 4b). 3.3.1x1: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.3.1d. Simple evergreen notophyll vine forest dominated by Buchanania arborescens (satinwood), Beilschmiedia obtusifolia (blush walnut), Blepharocarya involucrigera (rose butternut), Cryptocarya hypospodia (northern laurel), C. triplinervis (brown laurel) and Mallotus polyadenos (kamala). A sparse mixed subcanopy often includes Helicia australasica (creek silky oak) and Cryptocarya spp. (laurels) and vine species Flagellaria indica (supplejack), Austrosteenisia blackii (blood vine) and Hippocratea barbata (knot vine). An open shrub layer includes juvenile canopy species, Atractocarpus sessilis (false Gardenia) and Cleistanthus hylandii. A very sparse ground layer is composed of seedling trees, graminoids and ferns. Occurs on floodplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 5d). |
| Protected areas | KULLA (McIlwraith Range) NP (CYPAL), Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP (CYPAL), Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) NP (CYPAL), Biniirr NP (CYPAL), Annan River (Yuku Baja-Muliku) NP, Ngalba-bulal NP (CYPAL), Endeavour River NP, Annan River (Yuku Baja-Muliku) RR, Daarrba NP |
| Special values | 3.3.1: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Aglaia argentea, Amomum queenslandicum, Anacolosa papuana, Calophyllum bicolor, Dactyliophora novae-guineae, Dockrillia wassellii, Donella lanceolata, Hydnophytum ferrugineum, Hypserpa polyandra var. polyandra, Lasjia claudiensis, Litsea macrophylla, Livistona concinna, Margaritaria indica, Phlegmariurus phlegmarioides, Phyllanthera grayi, Planchonella xylocarpa, Sterculia shillinglawii subsp. Shillinglawii, Tectaria siifolia, Tristiropsis acutangula. 3.3.1x1: The near threatened plant species Acmena mackinnoniana, Margaritaria indica and Planchonella xylocarpa occur in this ecosystem. High numbers of endemic plant species. Large numbers of near threatened butterfly species. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: No deliberate fire management required within this unit. Undertake fuel reduction burns in surrounding vegetation utilising multiple small fires throughout the appropriate season to manage biodiversity values and to limit the extent and reduce risks of wildfire. ISSUES: Fire sensitive vegetation type. |
| Comments | 3.3.1: RE 3.3.2 was amalgamated into this RE. Claudie, Normanby and Laura Rivers and Torres Strait. 3.3.1a: Is differentiated from similar semi-decidous notophyll vine forest in southern Cape York Peninsula (3.3.1b) by geographic distribution as well as higher abundance of climbing palms, feather palms and pandans, climbing ferns, epiphytes and hemi-epiphytes. 3.3.1 is also in the higher rainfall zone of the northern CYP than 3.3.1b. Occurs in northern and north-eastern Cape York Peninsula. 3.3.1b: The cabbage palm Corypha utan is a distinctive component of this subunit along the Laura river. This unit has floristic affinities with the northern parts of the Wet Tropics. South-eastern Cape York Peninsula. Senna siamea, an introduced tree species has become naturalised around old Laura and is spreading downstream along the Laura River. A large number of naturalised weeds are present in the dense ground layer that occurs where the canopy is sparse, including Achyranthes aspera, Mesosphaerum suaveolens, Ipomoea quamoclit, Physalis minima and Synedrella nodiflora. 3.3.1c: Torres Strait. Exotic species such as *Cocos nucifera (coconut palm) and *Mangifera indica (mango) are naturalised in this community. 3.3.1d: Was previously mapped as 3.3.1x1. Well developed forests. Downstream this unit merges into 3.3.4. This vegetation community is not mapped and included in areas mapped as 3.3.1a. Between Cooktown and Mt. Webb national park and near Lockhardt River. 3.3.1x1: Between Cooktown and Mt. Webb national park and small areas on Torres Strait islands. |
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.
