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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This community presents some difficulty for classification in a l<strong>and</strong>form sense. The low s<strong>and</strong>y<br />
rises that it occupies are scattered across a broader erosional surface <strong>and</strong> their provenance is not<br />
clear. It is considered that these features may represent relict beach ridges, although their<br />
morphology has been degraded to a degree that confirmation of this is not possible. The low rises<br />
also support forest communities that are atypical of degraded dune systems examined in other<br />
locations, more typically occupied by stunted shrubl<strong>and</strong>s. That the vegetation community<br />
comprises species typically associated with swampl<strong>and</strong>s is also puzzling when it is considered<br />
that the ridges are elevated above the surrounding erosional plain <strong>and</strong> provide reasonable<br />
drainage. Given that the surrounding l<strong>and</strong>form is erosional presents the possibility that these<br />
features are the result of a topographic reversal <strong>and</strong> the forest communities represent former<br />
swampl<strong>and</strong>s on a previous depositional surface. The species composition of the forest gives<br />
some support to this possibility. Without the ability to positively identify these features, they<br />
have been classified with the broader erosional plain as LZ5 features. A new RE is proposed to<br />
accommodate this community under the preliminary classification of RE3.5.4x6.<br />
5.2.56 <strong>Regional</strong> Ecosystem 3.7.1x1b<br />
Photograph 114. Open forest<br />
dominated by Asteromyrtus brassii<br />
<strong>and</strong> Syzygium angophoroides (VC9a)<br />
at Site MO108.<br />
Description: Closed semi-deciduous mesophyll vine forest. Mainly occurs on loamy alluvia.<br />
Status: Not of Concern<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Communities</strong>: 2e<br />
Reference Sites: 2 Quaternary<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> Community 2e: The lateritic profile that provides an elevated base for the Saibai<br />
Isl<strong>and</strong> township presents a significant puzzle in respect to pre-clearing vegetation association.<br />
With out any similar examples of lateritic profiles in the study area, let alone a fully vegetated<br />
one, the pre-clearing l<strong>and</strong>scape can only be re-constructed from remnants associated with this<br />
l<strong>and</strong>form. It should also be considered that with the considerable history of traditional occupation,<br />
the vegetated l<strong>and</strong>scape has most likely undergone a number of transformations in an area that<br />
was central to pre-european occupation. The only remnant of native vegetation on the laterite<br />
plateau exists in the form of a scrubby vine thicket community, mapped as L2e, which has been<br />
reduced to two marginal slivers along the access road to the Saibai cemetery. These slivers<br />
comprise a low semi-deciduous vine thicket with canopy species represented by Thespesia<br />
populneoides, Terminalia subacroptera, Cathormion umbellatum subsp. monoliforme,<br />
Dendrolobium umbellatum, Intsia bijuga, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Manilkara kauki, Milletia pinnata,<br />
Cordia subcordata <strong>and</strong> Lysiphyllum bipinnata.<br />
3d Environmental – Torres Strait <strong>Regional</strong> Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008<br />
120
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