Regional ecosystem details for 8.3.4
| Regional ecosystem | 8.3.4 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 2, 5, (1), (3), (11.14), (4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 2000 ha; Remnant 2021 1000 ha |
| Short description | Freshwater wetlands with permanent water and aquatic vegetation |
| Structure code | Forbland |
| Description | Freshwater wetlands with permanent or semi-permanent water and aquatic vegetation. Includes sedgelands, grasslands and forblands with areas of open water in the deepest sections. Dominant and associated species may include Leersia hexandra, Nymphoides indica, Eleocharis dulcis, Nymphaea gigantea, Nymphaea violacea, Eleocharis sphacelata, Panicum paludosum, Pseudoraphis spinescens, Azolla pinnata, Phragmites australis, Utricularia aurea, Utricularia gibba, and Persicaria decipiens. Species which may grow in shallower water on the edges of the swamp include Ludwigia peploides subsp. montevidensis, Eleocharis philippinensis, Eleocharis dietrichiana, Hygrophila angustifolia, Nymphoides crenata, Cyperus alopecuroides, Cyperus gunnii subsp. novae-hollandiae, Marsilea hirsuta, Marsilea crenata, Marsilea mutica and Utricularia aurea. Swamps (near coastal) on level plains of lowlands. Geology mapped as Qa, Qw and Qf>Pc/v (Quaternary clay, silt, sand and gravel; mainly alluvium, some colluvium, residual soil, swamp deposits, flood-out sheets and small fans). Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34a). |
| Supplementary description | Bailey et al. (2003) CW-1_3; Cumming (1997), Vegetation types 33, 34; Nexus Environmental Studies Pty Ltd (1998) Vegetation units 6a, 6b, 6c |
| Protected areas | Cape Palmerston NP, Northumberland Islands NP, Conway NP |
| Special values | 8.3.4: Intact (non-weedy) examples of this regional ecosystem are now very rare and those remaining are under severe threat. Habitat for a number of species with a narrow habitat range and poorly known, including Eleocharis philippinensis, Eleocharis dietrichiana, Nymphaea spp., Nymphoides spp., Marsilea spp., and Utricularia aurea. Important habitat for a large variety of water birds and other fauna. Important habitat for barramundi. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. ISSUES: There is no evidence that this ecosystem has any ecological needs for fire. Fire may remove important habitat features and/or dietary items for its inhabitant fauna. |
| Comments | 8.3.4: Distinguished from all other regional ecosystems by the dominance of aquatic vegetation and fresh standing water. Mainly occurs on the Goorganga Plains south-east of Proserpine. It is also mapped behind Blacks Beach, north Mackay, Cape Palmerston area, and between Corio Bay and Yeppoon. This regional ecosystem has been extensively drained and cultivated for sugar cane. Most of the remaining areas of this regional ecosystem are suffering severe infestations of para grass (*Urochloa mutica) and hymenachne (*Hymenachne amplexicaulis) with associated major reduction in species diversity comparative to the impact caused by the clearing of a woodland community. Other weeds include *Mecardonia procumbens, *Nymphaea caerulea subsp. caerulea and various pasture grasses. Areas dominated by exotic species may be included within areas mapped as remnant. Some areas (e.g. Goorganga Plains) have been established since pre-clearing times by the building of bund walls to prevent saltwater encroachment. |
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.
