Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

firewood harvesting to service the Trepang industry (see Shnukal 2004). The vegetation
community is represented in Photograph 58 overleaf.
5.2.25 Regional Ecosystem 3.2.30
Photograph 58. The sub-canopy
structure of VC2m on Masig Island
at Site YO1.
Description: Pemphis acidula ± low closed forest. Restricted to coral atolls, shingle cays and
sand cays.
Status: Of Concern
Vegetation Communities: 23b
Reference Sites: 2 Quaternary
Vegetation Community 23b: This shrubland/low closed forest community is mapped on Tudu,
Sassie, and Iama Island. It is recognised as a saline transitional type, providing indication that
some overlap between LZ1 and LZ2 exists. On Tudu, it is typified by a closed shrubland with
canopy heights of 6m - 8m, forming an extensive landward fringe to mangroves and appearing to
be confined to sand dunes (LZ2) above the average maximum tidal limit. A minor area on the
north-west side of Iama mixes with the low mangrove shrub Osbornia octodonta on a coral
platform at upper tidal limits. Land zone classification schemes adhered to in this survey
consider this community as occurring within LZ1, although the floristic assemblage and landform
are considered consistent with those provided in the RE type description (REDD Version 5.2,
2007). For the purposes of this study, the community has been mapped as RE3.2.30 in all
occurrences, although clarification on the land zone affinities of this community are required.
Photograph 59. The light green crowns of
Pemphis acidula (VC23b) forming an
extensive fringe to mangrove communities
on Tudu Island.
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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