Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

Vegetation Community 5j: Vegetation Community 5j represents a tall open forest, with a
canopy height range of 23 to 35m, dominated by Eucalyptus tetrodonta and Corymbia nesophila.
The sub-canopy, which attains a height of 18m is dominated by Corymbia stockeri subsp.
peninsularis. Typical species of the upper shrub layer include Xylomelum scottianum, Acacia
platycarpa, Persoonia falcata, Pandanus spiralis, Grevillea parallela while the sparse lower
shrub layer comprises Alyxia spicata, Jacksonia thesioides, Parinari nonda, Acacia leptocarpa
and Syzygium suborbiculare. This community occupies low residual sand rises which are
scattered across the coastal plain on Muralug Island with the community description coming from
SitePWQ25. The community is illustrated in Photograph 111.
Vegetation Community 5k: Vegetation Community 5k occupies remnant alluvial terraces in
scattered locations on Muralug. It is similar to VC5j, although the canopy is typically lower, and
Eucalyptus tetrodonta is sparsely scattered or absent. The dominant canopy is composed of
Corymbia nesophila and Corymbia stockeri subsp. peninsularis which generally form an open
forest, and occasionally woodland in some locations and Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Corymbia
novoguinensis and Corymbia tessellaris in some locations. Parinari nonda often forms a subcanopy
dominant with typical shrubs in a sparse understorey being layer Neofabricia myrtifolia,
Melaleuca viridiflora, Banksia dentata, Acacia simsii and Jacksonia thesioides. Representation
is provided in Photograph 112.
Photograph 111. Woodland VC5j
on remnant alluvial terrace.
Photograph 112. Low sand rise on
Muralug supporting Eucalyptus
tetrodonta and Corymbia nesophila
open forest, Site PWQ25.
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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