Regional ecosystem details for 3.3.2
| Regional ecosystem | 3.3.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Extent in reserves | This regional ecosystem is now mapped within 3.3.1. |
| Short description | Semi-deciduous mesophyll and/or notophyll vine forest on alluvia |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped within 3.3.1. Semi-deciduous notophyll vine forest which often contains Castanospermum australe, Cryptocarya hypospodia, Beilschmiedia obtusifolia, Buchanania arborescens (native mango), Terminalia sericocarpa, Ficus racemosa var. racemosa and Nauclea orientalis. There is a floristically distinct sparse to mid-dense sub-canopy tree layer and a very sparse shrub/low tree layer. An evergreen variant commonly containing Acacia spp. (wattle) is probably a result of fire or cyclone damage. Occurs on alluvia. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 4b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.3.2a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.3.1a. The dense, more or less even canopy (18-23m tall) is composed of a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees. Castanospermum australe, Cryptocarya hypospodia, Beilschmiedia obtusifolia, Buchanania arborescens (native mango), Carallia brachiata, Cryptocarya mackinnoniana, Cryptocarya triplinervis var. riparia and Blepharocarya involucrigera are frequent evergreen components of the canopy, occurring at high stem densities in some areas. Frequent deciduous canopy trees include Terminalia sericocarpa, Ficus racemosa var. racemosa, Nauclea orientalis, Bombax ceiba, Semecarpus australiensis, and Wrightia laevis. Emergent Alstonia scholaris (milky pine) trees up to 42 metres tall are frequently present. The sparse to mid-dense sub-canopy tree layer (6-15m tall) is composed of a variety of species with Chionanthus ramiflorus, Antirhea tenuiflora, Aglaia sapindina, Helicia australasica, Macaranga tanarius, Mallotus philippensis, M. polyadenos, Pisonia umbellifera and Atractocarpus sessilis. The palms, Archontophoenix tuckeri and less frequently Normanbya normanbyi are present in the sub-canopy. A very sparse shrub/low tree layer (0.5-6m tall) is usually present with Cleistanthus apodus, Guioa acutifolia, Eupomatia laurina, Dichapetalum papuanum, Ixora timorensis, Psychotria dallachiana and Atractocarpus sessilis occurring frequently. Epiphytes are relatively sparse. The ground layer is very sparse, and composed mainly of seedlings. Occurs on alluvia. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 4b). 3.3.2b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.3.1d. A fairly even, closed canopy dominated mainly by Acacia polystachya (a wattle), A. midgleyi (brown salwood) or Blepharocarya involucrigera (rose butternut). Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Grevillea baileyana (Findlay's silky oak) Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp mahogany), Argyrodendron polyandrum (brown tulip oak) and Buchanania arborescens (native mango) are often present and subdominant in the canopy. Eucalyptus spp. form a sparse emergent layer in places. The sub-canopy layer consists of a variety of evergreen species with Cryptocarya cunninghamii (coconut laurel), C. vulgaris (northern laurel), Dysoxylum acutangulum subsp. foveolatum, Endiandra glauca (coach walnut) and Chionanthus ramiflorus (native olive) the most frequent trees. A sparse, low tree layer (0.5-10m tall) is usually present. Atractocarpus sessilis (native gardenia), Diploglottis macrantha, Tabernaemontana orientalis, Cryptocarya claudiana, Wilkiea rigidifolia and Cupaniopsis flagelliformis (brown tuckeroo) are frequently present in this layer. Scattered slender vines such as Flagellaria indica (supplejack) and Tetracera nordtiana var. nordtiana, are frequent. The climbing palms, Calamus caryotoides (fish-tail lawyer vine) and C. australis (hairy mary) are often present, and form dense thickets in disturbed areas. Epiphytes such as Drynaria quercifolia are relatively scarce. A very sparse ground layer is composed of seedling trees, graminoids and ferns. Occurs on floodplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 5d). 3.3.2x1: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.3.1d. A fairly even, closed canopy dominated mainly by Acacia polystachya (a wattle), A. midgleyi (brown salwood) or Blepharocarya involucrigera (rose butternut). Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Grevillea baileyana (Findlay's silky oak) Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp mahogany), Argyrodendron polyandrum (brown tulip oak) and Buchanania arborescens (native mango) are often present and subdominant in the canopy. Eucalyptus spp. Form a sparse emergent layer in places. The sub-canopy layer consists of a variety of evergreen species with Cryptocarya cunninghamii (coconut laurel), C. vulgaris (northern laurel), Dysoxylum acutangulum subsp. Foveolatum, Endiandra glauca (coach walnut), Chionanthus ramiflorus (native olive) and Epipremnum pinnatum the most frequent trees. A sparse, low tree layer (0.5-10m tall) is usually present. Atractocarpus sessilis (native gardenia), Diploglottis macrantha, Tabernaemontana orientalis, Cryptocarya claudiana, Wilkiea rigidifolia and Cupaniopsis flagelliformis (brown tuckeroo) are frequently present in this layer. Scattered slender vines such as Flagellaria indica (supplejack) and Tetracera nordtiana var. nordtiana, are frequent. The climbing palms, Calamus caryotoides (fish-tail lawyer vine) and C. australis (hairy mary) are often present, and form dense thickets in disturbed areas. Epiphytes such as Drynaria quercifolia are relatively scarce. A very sparse ground layer is composed of seedling trees, graminoids and ferns. Occurs on floodplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 5d). |
| Special values | 3.3.2b: The near threatened species Acmena mackinnoniana, Archidendron hirsutum, Cryptocarya claudiana, Margaritaria indica and Planchonella xylocarpa occur in this ecosystem. High numbers of endemic plant species. Large numbers of near threatened butterfly species. |
| Comments | 3.3.2: Moved to RE 3.3.1. Cooktown in south-east of region. Susceptible to weed invasion in disturbed areas. 3.3.2a: Moved to RE 3.3.1a. Cooktown in south-east of region and in adjacent Wet Tropics bioregion. 3.3.2b: Moved to proposed new RE 3.3.2x1. Between Cooktown and Mt. Webb national park. Probable mixed forest community produced by irregular fires or cyclonic damage. 3.3.2x1: 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.
