Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

Photograph 11. Mangrove
woodland dominated by Avicennia
marina subsp. eucalyptifolia on
Boigu Island (RE3.1.2).
Vegetation Community 23c: The interior of Sassie Island hosts a unique ecosystem, mapped
here as VC23c. The community is recognised in the sub-grouping of RE3.2.1b due to its limited
aerial extent and lack of a more appropriate RE classification. This community provides a
significant floristic departure from other VC’s allocated to this group and its floristic association
presents features transitional between a mangrove and vine forest community. The canopy,
which attains heights of 25m or greater, is dominated by the deciduous mangrove species
Xylocarpus granatum with Manilkara kauki a co-dominant species. Due to difficult access, the
community was observed from helicopter only and its shrub and ground cover composition in
unknown. Investigation of similar Xylocarpus dominated forests, which form a fringe to vine
forests on the islands southern coast, suggest that it occupies raised ridges of coral rubble above
the height of average maximum tidal inundation.
Photograph 12. The deciduous
crowns of Xylocarpus granatum
clearly visible in contrast to the
evergreen nature of surrounding
mangrove communities. Interior
areas of Sassie Island.
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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