Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

Vegetation Community 1d: Vegetation Community 1d, represented in the mapping as sub-type
RE13.12.4b, is a variation restricted to the Torres Strait Islands. The community occupies
sheltered gully lines, most abundantly on Mabuiag Island, although scattered occurrences have
been mapped on Gebar and Warral Islands. Only the Mabuiag Island forests have been
adequately ground truthed and classification of this community on other islands is based largely
on landscape position and photographic signatures. The canopy is relatively even, ranging from
18 to 25m, and canopy cover is greater than 80%.
Evergreen species dominate the canopy with a minor deciduous component present in some
locations. Typical canopy species in order of decreasing dominance include Endiandra glauca,
Syzygium bungadinnia, Buchanania arborescens, Acacia polystachya, Dysoxylum oppositifolium,
Canarium australianum, Pouteria sericea, Sterculia quadrifida, Schefflera actinophylla,
Myristica insipida, Carallia brachiata, Clerodendron sp., Rhodomyrtus macrocarpa,
Cryptocarya exfoliata, *Mangifera indica, Calophyllum sil, Elaeodendron melanocarpum,
Terminalia subacroptera and Maranthes corymbosa. The sub-canopy ranges in height from 10 to
15m and includes species otherwise typical of the canopy, plus several additional species
including Chionanthus ramiflora, Arytera bifoliolata, Cryptocarya exfoliata and Pouteria
obovata. Ground cover is typically sparse, with abundant rock talus and scattered epiphytes
dominated by Drynaria quercifolia. The community merges upslope from gully walls into
Welchiodendron and Acacia polystachya dominant open forest.
5.2.60 Regional Ecosystem 3.12.8
Photograph 127. The distinctive
bark of Syzygium bungadinnia which
is a prominent canopy component of
VC1d.
Description: Corymbia clarksoniana ± C. tessellaris open forest on coastal ranges and lowlands.
Status: Not of Concern
Vegetation Communities: 5b, 5s, 5e
Reference Sites: 28 Quaternary
Regional Ecosystem 3.12.8 is represented by VC5b, VC5s and VC5e. Vegetation Community 5b
forms the dominant woodland and open forest type on footslopes and colluvial slopes of Moa
Island. Vegetation Community 5s on granitic landforms is relatively more restricted, occurring
most abundantly on Hammond Island of the Inner Island Group.
Vegetation Community 5b: The typical structure of VC5b is woodland and occasional open
forest with canopy heights ranging from 23 to 27m. Corymbia clarksoniana forms the dominant
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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