Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

clarksoniana, Eucalyptus brassiana and Eucalptus platyphylla. This presents an unusual
floristic assemblage and the record of Eucalyptus brassiana provides an extension of
geographic limit of the species north from Cape York. The community provides for the
only record of the species within the study area.
9. The Melaleuca quinquinervia dominant RE 3.3.12 (VC7d) is restricted in the Torres
Strait to Moa and Badu Islands forming the most northerly known occurrence of the
species on Badu. On Moa it occurs on the broad erosional plain of the north-west, and on
Badu in deflation hollows and broad swales of old dune surfaces. On both islands, M.
quinquinervia occurs in sparsely scattered swamplands.
10. Regional Ecosystem 3.2.14 (VC13h) is restricted to a single occurrence on Horn Island,
where it is expressed as a low closed shrubland dominated by Melaleuca arcana. The
community forms a semi-circular swamp within a broader relict dune system and
represents an extension of geographical range of the species north from the Jardine River.
The community is therefore unique in the Torres Strait regional context.
11. Regional ecosystem 3.3.18x1, incorporating VC7c and VC4d is restricted to coastal areas
north of St. Pauls, Moa Island where it is represented as a tall open forest of Melaleuca
dealbata and Corymbia clarksoniana in relatively equal proportions. The floristic
composition of this community appears unique in a bio-regional context, and its spatial
extent is extremely limited. This community has been heavily fragmented by past
landuse practice and a dominant proportion of the landform that it once occupied has
been cleared, highlighting the urgency to recognise the unique nature of this community.
12. Regional ecosystem 3.3.62a* (VC11a) comprises a mosaic of grassland, shrubland and
low woodland types, confined mostly to Northern Islands group. The most extensive
representation is provided on Saibai Island, although scattered areas also occur on Boigu,
and southern representation is provided on Hammond and Moa Islands (Inner and Near
Western Island Groups respectively). The community is confined to Torres Strait Region
although extensive areas occur on the coastal plains of neighbouring PNG. Large areas
of the unit are former prehistoric tropical field systems with characteristic physical traces
of relict agricultural mounds and ditches indicating high cultural values (see Barham
1999).
13. The proposed creation of a new RE3.5.32 (VC9a) recognises the unique combination of
Asteromyrtus brassii, Syzygium angophoroides and Acmena hemilampra subsp.
hemilampra open forest on residual sand rises and sheets. The unusual landform
association of these more typically swamp dwelling species is unique to Moa Island, and
provides an unusual floristic variation of vegetation on a Land Zone 5 feature.
14. Native gasslands classified within RE3.8.4 (VC17b) on basalt vents & cones are
restricted to the major basaltic islands of Erub and Mer, forming a considerable portion of
the islands terrestrial habitat. Special significance is assigned to these communities,
considering both the uniqueness of the volcanic landscape, and the rarity of basaltic
grassland types in the broader bioregional area. Similar communities are represented
near Hopevale in the south of the CYP bioregion. These ecosytems have long histories
of anthropogenic management, although edaphic condition provides a fundamental
control on their development. Understanding the impact of incremental land use change,
evidenced today by shrub and lantana invasion and erosion, is vital for determining
appropriate management strategies.
15. The proposed new Regional Ecosystem 3.12.1x1 (Semi-deciduous mesophyll/notophyll
vine forest on granite slopes of the Torres Strait Sub-region) comprises a floristically
diverse group of vegetation mapping units (2d, 2h, 2o, 2q, 2r, 6e) occurring on steep
granitic and acid volcanic slopes of the larger continental islands. The most extensive
occurrences are are recognised on Dauan, Iama and Gebar Islands, and on the Near
Western and Inner Island Group. Vegetation community 2d, which is found on the steep
boulder strewn mid to upper slopes of Dauan Island, supports disjunct populations of
Tetrameles nudiflora and Nothocnide repanda, and is notable for its diversity of
epiphytic plants including the ‘Vulnerable’ Dischidia littoralis. Vegetation community
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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