Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

Photograph 31. Tall open forest of
Melaleuca leucadendra (VC7f) at its
maximum development behind Long
Beach on Muralug Island (Site
PWQ4)
Vegetation Community 3e: Lophostemon suaveolens dominant forests on coastal dunes are not
common in the study area although representative communities are present on Badu Island where
they form swamp forests on broad deflation plains. In these communities, Deplanchea
tetraphylla, Asteromyrtus brassii, Acmena hemilampra subsp. hemilampra and Acacia
crassicarpa are prominent canopy associates. These communities are recognised as RE sub-type
3.2.4c (REDD Version 5.2, 2007) and have been similarly classified here. The community often
forms broad, poorly defined mosaics and complexes with Melaleuca quinquenervia dominant
swamp forest (VC7d/RE3.2.4b). The shrub layer supports Macaranga involucrata subsp.
mallotoides with a groundcover dominated by Blechnum indicum, Scleria sp. and Canavalia
papuana.
Photograph 32. Tall open forest of
Lophostemon suaveolens and
Deplanchea tetraphylla in complex
with Melaleuca quinquenervia
dominant open forest on Badu Island
(VC3e).
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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