Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

also forms a component of VC26b, mapped as a complex of sporobulus grassland and chenopod
forbland. On Boigu Island, Sporobolus grasslands are seasonally burnt as traditional practice. It
is postulated that burning prevents mangrove invasion, and by doing so, assists in the long-term
maintenance of habitat diversity, also maintaining access for traditional prawning practices and
hunting of introduced deer.
Photograph 14. Recently burnt
(Oct. 2007) Sporobolus grassland
with open forest of Avicennia marina
subsp. eucalyptifolia in background.
Boigu Island.
5.2.5 Regional Ecosystem 3.1.6
Description: Sparse herbland or bare saltpans. Associated with salt plains and saline flats.
Status: Not of Concern
Vegetation Communities: 25a, 25b, 26b (co)
Reference Sites: 16 Quaternary
RE3.1.6 is the dominant ecosystem in the northern island group with relatively extensive areas
also occurring on the mid western islands of Moa and inner islands of Muralug and Horn. The
RE manifests in response to hyper-saline conditions, a result of repetitive tidal wetting and
subsequent evaporation.
Vegetation Community 25a & 25b: The dominant floristic components of VC25a & VC25b
are halophytic forbs including Tecticornia australasica, Halosarcia sp., Sarcocornia
quinqueflora subsp. quinqueflora and Suaeda australis. Where these species form a prominent
ground cover, they are mapped as VC25a. Areas of this RE, mapped as VC25b, lack any
significant ground cover due to persistent salt scalding. Evaporite crusts may form in the lower
depressions of these areas during dryer periods. The RE provides estuarine wetland habitat
values. Small areas of VC25a form a componet of the estuarine complex VC26b.
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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