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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<strong>Vegetation</strong> Community 5l: <strong>Vegetation</strong> Community 5l is typically a woodl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> occasionally<br />
open forest community with canopy heights generally ranging from 12m to 23m. The canopy is<br />
dominated by Corymbia stockeri subsp. peninsularis in the majority of occurrences although<br />
mixes with Eucalyptus cullenii, Eucalyptus tetrodonta <strong>and</strong> Corymbia nesophila occur on Muralug<br />
Isl<strong>and</strong>. Welchiodendron longivalve is a prominent sub-canopy <strong>and</strong> occasional canopy species.<br />
Shrub layers are typically sparse although Acacia brassii, Acacia leptocarpa, Welchiodendron<br />
longivalve, Cochlospermum gillivraei <strong>and</strong> Grevillea parallela are scattered throughout. Ground<br />
cover is formed by a mosaic of grasses <strong>and</strong> exposed acid volcanic rock with Imperata cylindrica<br />
<strong>and</strong> Heteropogon triticeus the dominant species. In complex type 14w, VC5l mosaics with<br />
shrubl<strong>and</strong>s of Acacia brassii <strong>and</strong> Welchiodendron longivalve although it has not been<br />
differentiated due to scale of complex variation. Minor areas of this RE are represented as VC5m<br />
on Horn Isl<strong>and</strong> where Melaleuca stenostachya forms a dense sub-canopy to Corymbia stockeri<br />
subsp. peninsularis.<br />
Photograph 133. Woodl<strong>and</strong><br />
structure of VC5l on Muralug Isl<strong>and</strong>.<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> Community 5v: This community is a relatively extensive VC restricted to granite<br />
hills <strong>and</strong> footslopes on Badu Isl<strong>and</strong>. Corymbia stockerii subsp. peninsularis forms the dominant<br />
canopy species with a height range of 20m to 28m. Welchiodendron longivalve is a co-dominant<br />
species, often separating into copses in sheltered location. Associated canopy species include<br />
Acacia polystachya <strong>and</strong> scattered Corymbia tessellaris. Welchiodendron longivalve forms the<br />
dominant sub-canopy species, mixing with Acacia polystachya, Terminalia subacroptera <strong>and</strong><br />
Psydrax banksii. Cycas badensis is a dominant shrub species on the footslopes. The natural<br />
variability in both the structure <strong>and</strong> floristic composition of the community is imposed by the<br />
irregularity of the granite boulder slopes on which the community has developed. The<br />
community remains poorly sampled due to access restrictions imposed during the field survey.<br />
More comprehensive vegetation survey on Badu would greatly benefit the description of this VC.<br />
3d Environmental – Torres Strait <strong>Regional</strong> Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008<br />
134
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