Targeted Vegetation Survey of Floodplains and Lower Slopes on the ...

CCA08 Far North Coast <strong>Targeted</strong> <strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Survey</strong>
Wardell S<strong>and</strong>plain.
Assemblage 2(c) Wet heath (Communities 16, 17).
Community 16 is a wet heathl<strong>and</strong> with a dense canopy
<strong>of</strong> shrubs tolerant <strong>of</strong> waterlogged soils, including
Leptospermum liversidgei, Tantoon (Leptospermum
polygalifolium) <strong>and</strong> Baeckea frutescens. A diversity <strong>of</strong> wet
heathy shrubs is sometimes present, but a dense lower
layer <strong>of</strong> the sedge Sporadanthus interruptus is always
present. Community 17 is a wet shrubl<strong>and</strong> complex
with considerable variation in dominant species, but
associations include Heath-leaved Banksia (Banksia
ericifolia subsp. macrantha) shrubl<strong>and</strong>; Broad-leaved
Paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) swamp sclerophyll
shrubl<strong>and</strong>; <strong>and</strong> Baeckea frutescens <strong>and</strong> Leptospermum
liversidgei shrubl<strong>and</strong>. Wallum bottlebrush (Callistemon
pachyphyllus) is frequent in the middle layer, <strong>and</strong> the
lower layer is characterised by sedges <strong>and</strong> shrubs. The
assemblage is found within swales <strong>and</strong> open freshwater
depressions on Pleistocene barrier s<strong>and</strong>s.
Assemblage 2(d) Coral Fern fernl<strong>and</strong> (Community
18): A single community <strong>of</strong> Coral Fern (Gleichenia
dicarpa) in association with Saw Sedge (Gahnia
sieberiana). Empodisma minus is common in the
lower layer. One site (BYR36esticd) has an upper
layer comprising an open shrubl<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> Broad-leaved
Paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) with a dense
lower layer <strong>of</strong> Coral Fern. Griffith (1999) indicates the
habitat <strong>of</strong> such fernl<strong>and</strong>s as dune scarps <strong>and</strong> narrow
drainage lines in deep, acid peat soils kept moist by
groundwater seepage.
Assemblage 2(e) Paperbark dunal scrubl<strong>and</strong>
(Community 19): A single community, usually with an
open forest structure in which Broad-leaved Paperbark
(Melaleuca quinquenervia) is sometimes associated with
Coast Banksia (Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia)
<strong>and</strong> Red Ash (Alphitonia execlsa). However, two sites
(POT23cbdne, POT02cbrdg) have an open shrubl<strong>and</strong>
structure. A shrubby middle layer is usually present,
consisting <strong>of</strong> Coastal Wattle (Acacia longifolia subsp.
sophorae), Lantana (Lantana camara) <strong>and</strong> Tree Broomheath
(Monotoca elliptica). The lower layer consists <strong>of</strong>
Midgen Berry (Austromyrtus dulcis), Climbing Guinea
Flower (Hibbertia sc<strong>and</strong>ens), Spiny-headed Mat Rush
(Lom<strong>and</strong>ra longifolia) <strong>and</strong> Black Bog-rush (Schoenus
brevifolius). Weeds are prevalent in this assemblage
(community), <strong>and</strong> Whisky Grass (Andropogon
virginicus) is an abundant weed species <strong>of</strong> the lower
layer. The assemblage occurs on coastal barrier s<strong>and</strong>s
dunes <strong>and</strong> ridges.
Assemblage 2(f) Sedge Paperbark Swamp Box
(Communities 20, 21, 23): A complex <strong>of</strong> swamp
sclerophyll sites, most commonly located on the
estuarine plain, but also occurring on waterlogged
sites on coastal barrier s<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong>, rarely, alluvium.
The assemblage consists <strong>of</strong> a low to tall, open to
closed swamp sclerophyll forest with Swamp Box
(Lophostemon suaveolens) or Broad-leaved Paperbark
(Melaleuca quinquenervia), or both, occasionally
associated with Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia)
<strong>and</strong> Swamp Oak <strong>and</strong> Broad-leaved Paperbark in more
saline sites. The ground layer consists <strong>of</strong> sedges <strong>and</strong>
rushes. There is an open mid-layer in which Swamp
Box (Lophostemon suaveolens) <strong>and</strong> Broad-leaved
Paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) occasionally
occurs with Willow Bottlebrush (Callistemon salignus).
Assemblage 2(g) Reedl<strong>and</strong> (Community 22): A single
community, comprising a reedl<strong>and</strong> or rushl<strong>and</strong> with
a dense cover <strong>of</strong> Common Reed (Phragmites australis)
<strong>and</strong> Black Bog-rush (Schoenus brevifolius). The
assemblage (community) occurs on the fringe <strong>of</strong> saline
swamp areas <strong>and</strong> adjoining a coastal barrier lagoon.
Assemblage 2(h) Swamp Ricegrass/Swampy
Meadow (Communities 24, 25): Community 24
represents a wetl<strong>and</strong> west <strong>of</strong> Cudgen Lake in organic
muds in a freshwater swamp <strong>and</strong> also on saline muds
<strong>of</strong> the estuarine plain. The vegetation is dominated
by Swamp Ricegrass (Leersia hex<strong>and</strong>ra), Lepironia
articulata, Juncus usitatus, Smartweed (Persicaria
strigosa), Bolboschoenus caldwellii, Schoenoplectus validus
<strong>and</strong> Cyperus exaltatus. Community 24 may be a derived
freshwater wetl<strong>and</strong>, an artefact <strong>of</strong> clearing. Community
25 is on the floodplain <strong>of</strong> Clothiers Creek were it
colonises drains <strong>and</strong> channels.
Assemblage 2(i) <strong>Lower</strong> Richmond Valley Swamp
Forest/Shrubl<strong>and</strong>s/Sedgel<strong>and</strong>s (Communities 26–29):
A structurally variable assemblage <strong>of</strong> sedgel<strong>and</strong>s,
shrubl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> riparian open forests found on stagnant
alluvial backswamps <strong>and</strong> riparian channels <strong>of</strong> the
me<strong>and</strong>er plain <strong>of</strong> Bungawalbin Creek. Community 26
consists <strong>of</strong> Lepironia articulata sedgel<strong>and</strong> communities
with emergent or dominant Narrow-leaved Paperbark
(Melaleuca alternifolia), Broad-leaved Paperbark
(Melaleuca quinquenervia), Leptospermum brachy<strong>and</strong>rum
<strong>and</strong> Swamp Box (Lophostemon suaveolens). All sites
are located on backswamps <strong>of</strong> Bungwalbin Creek.
Community 27 is a riparian open forest with emergent