Regional ecosystem details for 3.3.66
| Regional ecosystem | 3.3.66 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 7, 8, 6, 1, 4, (2), (5), (9), (2.4), (7.9), (2.1), (9.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 13000 ha; Remnant 2021 13000 ha |
| Short description | Lakes and lagoons dominated by a variety of aquatic plants, frequently with fringing woodlands or sedgelands |
| Structure code | Bare |
| Description | Swamps dominated by a variety of aquatic plants forming a mid-dense canopy. Some of the bottom-rooted plants such as the Eleocharis spp. (bulkaru), Oryza spp. (wild rice) and Nelumbo nucifera (lotus lily) emerge above the water surface up to a height of 1 metre. Other bottom-rooted aquatics such as Nymphaea spp. (water lily) and Nymphoides spp. (marshwort) have floating leaves. Azolla pinnata (azolla) and Monochoria cyanea (monochoria) are free-floating aquatic plants. Fully submerged plants such as Blyxa spp. and Najas tenuifolia (water nymph) may be present. Where water depth is greater than 1.7 metres, only the fully submerged and floating aquatic plants survive hence the deepest parts of these wetlands usually have a free surface water. Narrow bands of fringing sedgelands or open forests usually occur around the edges of these wetlands with Melaleuca spp. usually being dominant. Occurs in permanent lakes and lagoons. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.3.66a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community now mapped as 3.3.66. The margins of these permanent wetlands are vegetated with a variety of aquatic plants forming a mid-dense canopy. Some of the bottom-rooted plants such as the Eleocharis spp. (bulkaru), Oryza spp. (wild rice) and Nelumbo nucifera (lotus lily) emerge above the water surface up to a height of 1 metre. Other bottom-rooted aquatics such as Nymphaea spp. (water lily) and Nymphoides spp. (marshwort) have floating leaves. Azolla pinnata (azolla) and Monochoria cyanea (monochoria) are free-floating aquatic plants. Fully submerged plants such as Blyxa spp. And Najas tenuifolia (water nymph) may be present. Where water depth is greater than 1.7 metres, only the fully submerged and floating aquatic plants survive hence the deepest parts of these wetlands usually have a free surface water. Narrow (2-10m wide) bands of fringing open forests (13-20m tall) usually occur around the edges of these wetlands with Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree) or M. leucadendra (weeping paperbark) usually being dominant. Occurs in permanent lakes and lagoons frequently with fringing woodlands. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34a). 3.3.66b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.2.27. Lepironia articulata forms an open sedgeland around the margins of the perennial lakes. It occurs in water depths of up to 1.5m. The deeper areas of the lakes are vegetation-free. On the shallow lake margins, Schoenus calostachyus, Dapsilanthus elatior and Machaerina teretifolia may occur in sparse swards. Occasional shrubs may be present on the lake margins. Occurs in alluvial plains. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34a). 3.3.66x1: Riverbeds with rock or sand and associated waterholes. Occurs along major rivers and creeks. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16d). 3.3.66x1a: Rivers & water holes with permanent water. Occurs along major rivers and creeks. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16d). 3.3.66x1b: River beds without permanent water, generally sandy. Occurs along major rivers and creeks. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16d). |
| Protected areas | Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP (CYPAL), Oyala Thumotang NP (CYPAL), Muundhi (Jack River) NP (CYPAL), Bromley (Ampulin) NP (CYPAL), Olkola NP (CYPAL), Apudthama NP (CYPAL), Errk Oykangand NP (CYPAL), Batavia NP (CYPAL), Annan River (Yuku Baja-Muliku) NP, KULLA (M |
| Special values | 3.3.66: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Acmenosperma pringlei, Astonia australiensis, Dallwatsonia felliana. 3.3.66a: Habitat for the endangered plant species Astonia australiensis and near threatened aquatic species including Aponogeton elongatus. High diversity of aquatic species. Important habitat for wetland fauna, and permanent watering point for animals. 3.3.66b: Tannin-rich lakes with low diversity of aquatic species. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: No fire management required. ISSUES: Non-flammable vegetation. |
| Comments | 3.3.66: Habitat for the endangered plant species Astonia australiensis and near threatened aquatic species including Aponogeton elongatus. High diversity of aquatic species. Important habitat for wetland fauna, and permanent watering point for animals. Heavily used by cattle and feral pigs. 3.3.66a: Heavily used by cattle and feral pigs. 3.3.66x1: Rivers of widths less than or equal to 25mt are included in the surrounding RE. 3.3.66x1a: Rivers of widths less than or equal to 25mt are included in the surrounding RE. 3.3.66x1b: River beds with widths less than or equal to 25mt are included in the surrounding RE. Can include rocky and muddy substrates. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13.1 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.
