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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5.2.69 <strong>Regional</strong> Ecosystem 3.12.29<br />
Photograph 149. Acacia sp.<br />
shrubl<strong>and</strong> type 6f. Well-developed<br />
evergreen vine forest (VC1a) is<br />
clearly visible on the sheltered<br />
margins of this shrubl<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Description: Heteropogon triticeus ± Sarga plumosum closed tussock grassl<strong>and</strong> on continental<br />
isl<strong>and</strong>s<br />
Status: Of Concern<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Communities</strong>: 17c, 12a<br />
Reference Sites: 18 Quaternary<br />
<strong>Regional</strong> Ecosystem 3.12.29 is relatively extensive throughout the Torres Strait continental<br />
isl<strong>and</strong>s where it typically occupies exposed coastal headl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> footslopes on granite <strong>and</strong> acid<br />
volcanic rocks. The RE is represented by VC17c <strong>and</strong> VC12a, the latter being an atypical<br />
expression of the type.<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> Community 17c: This classification provides a generic representation of grassl<strong>and</strong><br />
communities on acid volcanic <strong>and</strong> acid plutonic lithologies. The constituent grass species are<br />
variable dependant on soil type, exposure <strong>and</strong> derivation. <strong>Communities</strong> on Dauan are composed<br />
dominantly of Cymbopogon refractus <strong>and</strong> Heteropogon triticeus with a range of shrub species<br />
forming an emergent layer including P<strong>and</strong>anus sp., Psydrax sp., Cochlospermum gillivraei,<br />
Syzygium suborbiculare <strong>and</strong> Parinari nonda. These communities are fire controlled, derived<br />
from repetitive burning of colluvial footslopes which has caused an upslope retreat of the vine<br />
forest margins. Associated soils are generally well-drained s<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> gravel loams mixed with<br />
granite detritus.<br />
In wind-exposed locations on skeletal soils, grassl<strong>and</strong>s represent a climax community with<br />
species composition <strong>and</strong> structure influenced by prevailing climatic <strong>and</strong> edaphic conditions rather<br />
than human induced l<strong>and</strong>scape changes. Themeda tri<strong>and</strong>ra forms the dominant species in such<br />
locations often interspersed with scattered shrubs <strong>and</strong> bare rock pavement. It should be noted that<br />
a range of RE sub-types are represented under this classification although no attempt has been<br />
made to separate these on a floristic or l<strong>and</strong>scape process basis. Considerable field survey will be<br />
required to confidently differentiate <strong>and</strong> typify these variations.<br />
3d Environmental – Torres Strait <strong>Regional</strong> Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008<br />
145
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