Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

RE is supported, which provides some evidence that this community is shaped largely by land
management practice. The community is widespread on the Morehead-Kiunga area of the PNG
lowlands and is identified in the Bula and Mibini Land Systems (CSIRO 1971).
5.2.44 Regional Ecosystem 3.3.63
Photograph 97. Typical
representation of Pandanus sp.
shrubland/woodland (VC11a) on
Saibai Island (Site SA021).
Description: Closed sedgeland dominated by Eleocharis dulcis. Occurs on seasonally flooded
marine plains.
Status: Not of Concern
Vegetation Communities: 20a
Reference Sites: 12 Quaternary (Saibai, Zuna)
Vegetation Community 20a: VC20a is extensive only on Saibai Island, with minor areas
mapped on the Inner Island Group (Zuna and Muralug Islands). The Saibai communities form an
extensive system of broad shallow swamps attenuated well into the islands alluvial interior.
These swamps possess a dense cover of Eleocharis sp. which was dry at the time of survey. A
dramatic response to seasonal rainfall would be expected however, prompting vigorous new
growth. These are generally brackish wetland communities, merging with mangrove swamps and
salt pans on estuarine margins. In this regard, seasonal desiccation of these communities would
be facilitated in part by salinity which increases dramatically as the soil dries, to be flushed
during seasonal rainfall events. The community further manifests within a constructed wetland
on Boigu Island and has a very restricted occurrence on Zuna. The latter is a circular swamp
dominated by Eleocharis surrounded by shrubland of Melaleuca saligna (VC13g).
Representation is provide in Photograph 98.
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
107