Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

5.2.22 Regional Ecosystem 3.2.26
Photograph 55. Low open
shrubland community 14y on Masig
Island (YOS4). The community has
been mapped as a component of VC
16a.
Description: Sparse herbland/shrubland and bare sand areas. Predominantly on sand blows
Status: Not of Concern
Vegetation Communities: 14s
Survey Locations: 1 Secondary Site (BAS35)
Vegetation Community 14s: Vegetation community 14s, providing the only representation of
RE3.2.26, is restricted to Badu Island where it forms a low sparse shrubland. The dominant
shrub layer forms an uneven upper stratum ranging in height from 0.5m to 1m with a total cover
rarely exceeding 10%. Leucopogon ruscifolius forms the dominant component of the shrub layer
with scattered Acacia crassicarpa, Leucopogon yorkensis, Syzygium suborbiculare, Exocarpos
latifolius, Alyxia spicata, Melaleuca viridiflora and Pandanus conicus. The groundcover forms
5% combined cover dominated by Dapsilanthus spathaceus, with associated species such as
Xyris complanata, Lomandra banksii, Evolvulus alsinoides, Tricoryne elatior, Cassytha
pubescens, Gompholobium sp. (DGF9707+), Tephrosia sp. (DGF9710+), Myrtella obtusa, and
Drosera spatulata. Emergents of Corymbia novoguinensis to 6m are scattered throughout the
community. This community occupies a unique geomorphic situation, being restricted to the
outer gently undulating slopes of a broad deflationary hollow within a stabilising transgressive
dune system.
Photograph 56. Low sparse
shrubland type 14s on Badu Island.
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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