Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

5.2.7 Regional Ecosystem 3.2.2a
Description: Semi-deciduous vine thicket on coastal dunes and beach ridges
Status: Of Concern
Vegetation Communities: 1c, 2p, 2y, 2z, 16d(co), 16e(co), 16f(co), 16h(co), 16j(co), 16k(co)
Reference Sites: 2 secondary, 9 Quaternary
This classification is restricted to true thickets, which according to definition adopted in this study
have canopy heights less than 9m. These communities are often floristically similar to RE3.2.1x1
although the much lower stature warrants differentiation. They are also relatively widespread,
mapped on most of the larger continental islands in the Torres Strait Area. The RE comprises
VC1c, VC2p, VC2y, a dominant component of VC16j and components of a number of coastal
foredune complexes.
Vegetation Community 1c: VC1c is an evergreen thicket of windswept foredunes. Manilkara
kauki forms the dominant (and often sole) canopy species. Associated species include Celtis
philippensis, Terminalia muelleri, Diospyros maritima, Thespesia populneiodes, Drypetes
deplanchei, Mimusops elengi, Smilax australis, Capparis sepiaria and Flagellaria indica. The
stature is influenced by coastal exposure which limits canopy height. It is prominent on Erub
with a minor occurrence mapped on Masig Island.
Photograph 19. Low windswept
evergreen vine thicket (VC1c) on the
exposed south-eastern coast of Erub.
The thicket is dominated by
Manilkara kauki.
Vegetation Community 2p: The major occurrence of VC2p is on Moa Island, where it occupies
foredune locations on broad coastal dune systems to the south of Saveka Point. In this location
the community can be best described as a groved thicket with clumped trees reaching average
canopy heights of 8m interspersed with bare areas of windblown sand. Bombax ceiba var.
leiocarpum, Premna serratifolia, Acacia crassicarpa and Manilkara kauki are the dominant
canopy species with emergents of Bombax to 15m height. Subdominant taxa are Drypetes
deplanchei, Pouteria sericea and Celtis philippensis with the associated species Acacia
polystachya, Diospyros compacta, Exocarpos latifolius, Aglaia elaeagnoidea, Canarium
australianum, Carallia brachiata, Ficus virens, Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Semecarpus
australiensis, Terminalia meulleri, Sterculia quadrifida, Arenga australasica and
Cochlospermum gillivraei. Arenga australasica (Vulnerable EPBC, NCA) is a prominent species
in the sub-canopy layer on Moa Island. It is not likely that this unique feature can be extended to
any mapped example of this community on other islands.
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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