Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

Eleocharis dulcis often with an evaporate accumulation in drainage low points. These systems
are dynamic and seasonal variations in species composition may lead to confusion with VC25b.
The system does however appear unique to these northern islands and as such warrants
recognition as a separate ecosystem. The habitat exhibits high integrity although there may be
minor impacts associated with grazing of feral deer, although seasonal hunting controls this
population. The extent of similar ecosystems on the Fly Platform of mainland PNG is unknown
yet likely to be associated with the Wunji Land System (CSIRO 1971). The RE provides
important estuarine wetland habitat values with likely habitat for estuarine crocodile, migratory
waders, Jabiru and Sauras Crane and a cultural resource for traditional fishing and hunting.
Vegetation Community 27b: The taller variant (VC27b) is restricted to Saibai Island where it
occurs as a brackish wetland comprising extensive areas of tall sedgeland mosaiced with open
areas of brackish water. The community forms where freshwater swamplands mix with estuarine
waters, generally on the landward margins of mangrove forest complexes. Classification within
Land Zone 1 is based on the regular tidal mixing, and the prominence of mangrove vegetation on
the community margins. The community was originally mapped within the Map Unit 190 of
Neldner and Clarkson (1995) and has been incorporated into RE3.3.63. The original description
recognises that 48% of the community occurs on saline tidal flats.
Photograph 17. Tall sedgeland/open
wetland mosaic on the landward
margins of mangrove forest complex
(VC27b). Saibai Island.
Photograph 18. Low sedgeland/
wetland communities on seasonal
drainage depression. VC27a on
Boigu Island.
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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