Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

(R), Wilkiea rigidifolia, Archidendron grandiflorum, Mallotus philippensis, Glycosmis trifoliata,
Barringtonia calyptrata, Macaranga involucrata var. mallotoides, Polyscias macgillivraei,
Atractocarpus sessilis, Salacia disepala, Chionanthus ramiflora, Micromelum minutum,
Cryptocarya hypospodia, Arytera divaricata, Arytera bifoliolata, Phaleria octandra,
Mischocarpus lachnocarpus, Polyalthia australis, and Pleomele angustifolia.
The prominence of Arenga australasica, listed as Vulnerable under both EPBC (1999) and the
NCA (1992) is a noteworthy feature of this forest, along with additional rare and threatened
species listed in the type description and a number of species at the limit of geographical range in
Australian territory.
Vegetation Community 1f: The upper slopes of Banks Peak on Moa Island, at an elevation of
399m, host a tall well-developed notophyll vine forest which presents a complex array of
structural features. This community, represented as VC1f, presents the best-developed example
of vine forest in the study area and is described as a complex notophyll vine forest. Canopy
heights in this community vary depending on exposure although canopies observed on sheltered
leeward slopes attain heights of greater than 30m. The sub-dominant stratum form a number of
poorly differentiated layers which tend to merge in places, and it is these layers that present the
greatest life form complexity. Typical canopy species include Calophyllum sil, Argyrodendron
polyandrum, Cryptocarya cunninghamii, Syzygium branderhorstii, Syzygium buettnerianum,
Archidendron hirsutum (Rare), Anthocarapa nitidula, Pouteria obovata, Acmenospermum
claviflorum, Canarium vitiense, Gomphandra australiana, Pouteria sp. (DGF9168+), Syzygium
forte subsp. forte, Maranthes corymbosa, Palaquium galatoxylon, Ficus microcarpa, Horsfieldia
australiana, Licuala ramsayi and Maniltoa lenticellata var. lenticellata.
The sub-canopy layer which ranges in height from 12 to 18m is dominated by Licuala ramsayi
with associated species including Cryptocarya cunninghamii, Psydrax sp. (DGF8955+),
Ptychosperma elegans, Pandanus zea, Pouteria obovata, Canarium vitiense, Buchanania
arborescens, Aglaia sapindina, Epipremnum pinnatum, Pouteria sp. (DGF9168+), Maranthes
corymbosa, Podocarpus grayae, Meiogyne sp. (DGF9718+), Pimeleodendron amboinicum (R)
and Maniltoa lenticellata var. lenticellata. Shrub layers, typically 1.5 to 10m are typified by
Meiogyne sp. (9718+), Pimeleodendron amboinicum, Cryptocarya cunninghamii, Licuala
ramsayi, Codiaeum variegatum var. moluccanum, Atractocarpus sessilis, Acmenosperma
claviflorum, Pandanus zea, Piper caninum, Polyscias australiana, Psydrax sp. (DGF9154+),
Flagellaria indica, Pouteria obovata, Diospyros sp. (DGF9160+), Aglaia sapindina,
Gomphandra australiana, Myristica insipida, Polyscias macgillivraei, Chionanthus ramiflora,
Salacia chinensis and Maniltoa lenticellata var. lenticellata.
Photograph 172. Aerial view of
VC1f on Banks Peak showing.
Licuala ramsayi visible in canopy.
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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