Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

Photograph 95. Remnants of the
grassland community 17a (VC17a)
are scattered amongst the broader
mosaic of salt flat and mangrove
communities on Boigu Island.
Photograph 96. The intricate
pattern of irrigation channels carved
into the alluvial landscape are
diagnostic of VC17e. These are
visible in the photo foreground.
Vegetation Community 11a: Pandanus sp. forms the dominant component of VC11a, a tall
shrubland/low woodland community that is most extensive on Saibai Island, with minor
occurrences also on Hammond and Moa Islands. Pandanus sp. forms the dominant component of
the upper stratum which has a height range of 4m to 10m, and PFC generally between 10% and
40%. Associated canopy species include Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. platyphylla, Dillenia alata
and Livistona muelleri, the latter often manifest as a canopy emergent. The secondary shrub layer
is frequently dominated by Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. platyphylla, Acacia leptocarpa and low
Pandanus shrubs. Melaleuca acacioides forms a component of the secondary shrub layer on
Hammond Island. In the majority of communities sampled, the ground cover is dominated by
Ischaemum australe although Sarga sp. is locally prominent on Hammond Island. The
development of this unique ecosystem is undoubtedly linked to soil type, as well as an ongoing
fire practice. Whilst the RE is largely confined to the Northern Islands of the Torres Strait
associated with isolated Pleistocene alluvial remnants of the Papuan Fly Platform, scattered
occurrences of the type on the Inner and Near Western Island Groups provides some indication
that similar land use practice was being applied across the broader Torres Strait Island area.
Detailed examination of soil profiles was not undertaken during the study, although some
considerable differences in soil physical properties is expected between island groups where this
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
106