Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems
Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems
Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
5.3 Retrospective Classifications<br />
L<strong>and</strong>forms suitable for human occupation have largely been cleared on the majority of inhabited<br />
isl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> as such, the vegetation communities that once occupied these areas have been heavily<br />
impacted. Alluvial l<strong>and</strong>forms have been used almost exclusively for inhabitation <strong>and</strong> agricultural<br />
purpose <strong>and</strong> small alluvial pockets on the majority of the larger inhabited isl<strong>and</strong>s have been<br />
totally cleared with limited evidence of the floristic composition or structure of pre-disturbance<br />
vegetation types. Similarly, the elevated Tertiary remnant on the northern coast of Saibai Isl<strong>and</strong><br />
presents the most suitable area for human occupation on the isl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> has been heavily impacted<br />
by human activities. In these areas, evidence of the pre-disturbance vegetation communities can<br />
only be gathered from floristic evidence manifest in the contemporary l<strong>and</strong>scape. Two VC’s <strong>and</strong><br />
associated RE’s in the study area are presumed to be regionally extinct <strong>and</strong> these are described<br />
briefly below.<br />
5.3.1 <strong>Regional</strong> Ecosystem 3.3.1c (Cleared)<br />
Description: Closed semi-deciduous mesophyll vine forest. Mainly occurs on loamy alluvia<br />
Status: Presumed Extinct<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Communities</strong>: 2xx(e), 2xx(c), 2xx(b)<br />
Reference Sites: 2 Quaternary (Dauan - DA15, 43)<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> Community 2xx: <strong>Vegetation</strong> community 2xx provides an example of retrospective<br />
vegetation classification with type, which is classified as mesophyll vine forest on alluvia,<br />
mapped as an RE only in pre-clearing status. All well-developed alluvial flats on isl<strong>and</strong>s such as<br />
Erub, Dauan, <strong>and</strong> Iama have been cleared <strong>and</strong> probably have been under human occupation for<br />
long periods prior to European settlement. Indications of the pre-clearing status of these flats can<br />
only be gained from examination of scattered non-remnant communities retained (although most<br />
likely highly modified) on gully lines <strong>and</strong> as scattered remnant trees. For this reason, the<br />
description of this community should be considered indicative. Isolated strips of VC2xx(e) on<br />
Dauan are currently occupied on swampy alluvium by Acacia auriculiformis, Terminalia cattapa,<br />
Myristica insipida <strong>and</strong> a range of exotic species including Mangifera indica <strong>and</strong> Cocos nucifera.<br />
The pre-clearing representation of this community is proposed to comprise a similar native<br />
species assemblage, although it is conceded that the original species assemblage is likely to be<br />
considerably more diverse. A new RE sub-type (RE3.3.1c) has been used to accommodate <strong>and</strong><br />
describe this pre-clearing community. In in the Torres Strait Isl<strong>and</strong>s, any natural occurrence is<br />
apparently extinct.<br />
Photograph 182. Semi-deciduous<br />
mesophyll vine forest dominated by<br />
Terminalia cattapa, Mangifera<br />
indica <strong>and</strong> Cocos nucifera (2xx(e))<br />
on Dauan Isl<strong>and</strong> (Site DA43).<br />
3d Environmental – Torres Strait <strong>Regional</strong> Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008<br />
169
Change language