Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

5.2.28 Regional Ecosystem 3.3.7
Photograph 63. Complex subcanopy
features of the vine forest
component of VC3c with prominent
Arenga australasica. The large
canopy tree in the foreground is
Syzygium bamagense.
Description: Tall semi-deciduous notophyll/microphyll vine thicket. Occurs on colluvial plains.
Status: Of Concern
Vegetation Communities: 2g, 4a
Reference Sites: 1 Quaternary (G14)
This RE is confined to Gebar Island as scattered pockets withint a broader grassland community.
The community also occurs as a perennial fringe to a deeply incised drainage line. The canopy,
ranging in height from 15 to 25m, includes Canarium australianum, Terminalia subacroptera,
Semecarpus australiensis, Buchanania arborescens and Acacia auriculiformis as dominant
species. Erythrina variegata, Welchiodendron longivalve, Parinari nonda and Chionanthus
ramiflora form subdominant canopy components. The sub canopy was not sampled intensively
due to time restrictions. Also included in this category are isolated pockets of Welchiodendron
longivalve open forest occupying the same landform, which are thought to be fire disturbed
variants of the better developed VC2g. Where these forests form discrete units, they are mapped
as VC4a. Traditional burning practice has had a major structural impact on this community, most
likely leading to a significant reduction in its original extent and floristic complexity.
Photograph 64. Sub canopy
structure of VC2g on Gebar Island,
where it occupies loamy alluvial
soils.
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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