Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems
Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems
Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems
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<strong>Vegetation</strong> Community 5n: This community is restricted to alluvial terraces on North-West<br />
Creek where it forms an extensive flood plain type. Eucalyptus platyphylla dominates the canopy<br />
attaining maximum heights of 27m, with sub-dominant species including Eucalyptus tetrodonta,<br />
Corymbia nesophila <strong>and</strong> Erythrophleum chlorostachys. Sub-canopy is generally sparse, although<br />
Erythrophleum chlorostachys is prominent in association with Eucalyptus spp. <strong>and</strong> Corymbia<br />
spp. typical of the canopy. Ground cover is dominated by Heteropogon contortus, Imperata<br />
cylindrica <strong>and</strong> Themeda tri<strong>and</strong>ra. The community is represented in Photograph 84.<br />
5.2.39 <strong>Regional</strong> Ecosystem 3.3.42<br />
Description: Melaleuca viridiflora low woodl<strong>and</strong> in drainage areas.<br />
Status: Not of Concern<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Communities</strong>: 13a, 13b, 13c, 14b, 14m, 14r, 11b<br />
Reference Sites: 23 Quaternary<br />
Photograph 84. <strong>Vegetation</strong><br />
community 5n on an alluvial terrace<br />
of North-West Creek. The<br />
community, sampled in this location<br />
is located at PW061.<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> communities falling under the classification of RE3.3.42 form one of the most<br />
extensive <strong>and</strong> variable vegetation groups in the Torres Strait Isl<strong>and</strong>s. Melaleuca viridiflora forms<br />
the pivotal species in a group whose distribution <strong>and</strong> ecology is largely controlled by soil<br />
drainage <strong>and</strong> to a lesser extent, soil fertility.<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> Community 13a: <strong>Vegetation</strong> Community 13a represents the most abundant of the<br />
variations, common on the Inner Isl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Near Western Isl<strong>and</strong> groups, with a floristic<br />
composition <strong>and</strong> structural form that is largely consistent with the type description of RE sub-unit<br />
3.3.42a. Melaleuca viridiflora dominantes the shrub layer with heights between 4m to 10m.<br />
P<strong>and</strong>anus sp. is a common sub-dominant species <strong>and</strong> a range of myrtaceous species may be<br />
associated, although at no stage are these associated species dominant. The community also<br />
includes scattered shrubl<strong>and</strong>s of Melaleuca acacioides on Moa Isl<strong>and</strong> which mix on the margins<br />
of salt flats <strong>and</strong> mangrove wetl<strong>and</strong>s. It occupies areas of limited surface drainage, generally on<br />
silty outwash plains with infertile clay loam soils.<br />
3d Environmental – Torres Strait <strong>Regional</strong> Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008<br />
98
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