Regional ecosystem details for 7.3.17
| Regional ecosystem | 7.3.17 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Endangered |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 2, 9, 3, 7, (4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 26000 ha; Remnant 2021 4000 ha |
| Short description | Complex mesophyll vine forest on well-drained alluvium of high fertility |
| Structure code | Closed Forest |
| Description | Complex mesophyll vine forest. Well-drained alluvium of high fertility. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 1a). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), A1a; Kemp and Morgan (1999), 49; Tracey and Webb: 1a (in part) |
| Protected areas | Tully Gorge NP, Wooroonooran NP, Ngalba-bulal NP (CYPAL), Daintree NP (CYPAL), Little Mulgrave NP, Malbon Thompson FR, Japoon NP, Russell River NP, Mount Mackay NP, Hull River NP, Palmerston Rocks NP, Daintree NP |
| Special values | 7.3.17: There is a high population density of Cassowaries (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii listed as "Endangered" under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992) in this RE in the Jarrah Ck area. The Jarrah Creek valley is a very large intact example of this ecosystem, and is worthy of continued preservation. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not burn deliberately. Mosaic burning in surrounding fire-adapted ecosystems will minimise spread and severity of wildfire during severe weather events. ISSUES: Occasional hot fires in adjoining communities may be required to prevent expansion of rainforest elements. Edges are generally self-protecting but back burning from rainforest edges may be desirable. The occurrence of high biomass grasses in or adjacent to rainforest may detrimentally affect rainforest during fire events associated with dry weather. |
| Comments | 7.3.17: This rainforest type occurs on deeper and/or more fertile soils than 7.3.10 (Stanton and Stanton (2005) A2a). It generally receives higher rainfall (or more seasonally-even rainfall) than 7.3.23 (Stanton and Stanton (2005) A1c). Includes levees, plains and colluvials (high rainfall means there is little difference in floristics across these soils). It is usually very species diverse and of complex structure. Predominantly lowlands, north of Cardwell. Lowland parts of this regional ecosystem have been extensively and selectively cleared for agricultural purposes and what does remain on the lowlands is fragmented. |
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.
