Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

Vegetation Community 2j: Vegetation Community 2j is the dominant vine forest type on both
Mer and Erub Islands, and is also represented under the sub-unit of RE3.8.5a. The best
representation is formed on gentle basalt slopes to the north east of the airport on Erub where the
community mixes with VC2k. Well-preserved remnants of this community were difficult to find
on Mer, although the best type example was located adjacent to the workers accommodation at
Site MU01 where the canopy and internal forest structure was surprisingly well-preserved. In
this location, a general canopy height range of 15m to 18m was typical with emergents reaching
28m. The canopy species comprised Bombax ceiba var. leiocarpum, Diospyros hebecarpa,
Alectryon repandodentatus (E), Adenanthera pavonina, Wrightia pubescens subsp. penicillata,
and Antiaris toxicaria var. macrophylla. Bombax ceiba var. leiocarpum always forms the
emergent layer. On Erub Island, Cupaniopsis anacardioides forms a dominant to co-dominant
canopy species with Diospyros hebecarpa (refer to Site ER12). It is therefore considered unusual
that this species is not recorded as either a canopy or sub-canopy species on Mer. The typical
canopy structure of this VC is highly broken, often with significant canopy gaps extending to
near ground level. The uneven nature of this canopy can only be attributed to disturbance in
some form, possible with extreme wind as a major contributing factor.
Vegetation Community 2k: Vegetation community 2k, represented by RE sub-unit 3.8.5b, was
sampled to secondary level at Site ER011 and represents the maximum development of vine
forest observed on the basaltic islands. This tall deciduous forest formation is restricted to Erub
Island where it occupies sheltered pockets, generally within broader areas of VC2j. The canopy,
which typically ranges from 25m to 38m, has an open feel due to the deciduous canopy although
measured crown cover is typically > 80%. The dominant canopy species (in order of decreasing
dominance) are Gyrocarpus americanus, Cathormion umbellatum subsp. monoliforme, Garuga
floribunda var. floribunda, Antiaris toxicaria var. macrophylla, Mimusops elengi, Wrightia
laevis, Diospyros hebecarpa and Bombax ceiba var. leiocarpum. The sub-canopy is relatively
open (30 – 50%) with dominant species including Diospyros hebecarpa, Celtis philippensis,
Alectryon repandodentatus (E) and Manilkara kauki.
Photograph 119. The best
development of VC2j on Murray
Island at Site MU01.
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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