Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

5.2.29 Regional Ecosystem 3.3.9
Description: Lophostemon suaveolens open forest. Occurs on streamlines, swamps and alluvial
terraces.
Status: Not of Concern
Vegetation Communities: 3a, 3f, 8b
Reference Sites: 2 Secondary (MOA16, BAS1); 5 Quaternary
The RE classification 3.3.9 incorporates VC3a, VC3f and VC8b. These VC’s are considered
atypical of the RE type description. These component vegetation communities are described
briefly below.
Vegetation Community 3a: Vegetation Community 3a on Moa Island, occupies the swampy
channels of major drainage features, typically on lower stream reaches. The community is often
narrow and linear, becoming more extensive on swampy areas where coarse alluvial sand has
been deposited. Lophostemon suaveolens forms the dominant open forest canopy, attaining
heights of 25m, although it is accompanied by Melaleuca quinquenervia, Syzygium
angophoroides and Asteromyrtus brassii. The sub-canopy features Dillenia alata, Gmelina
dalrympleana, and Acacia crassicarpa with a diverse shrub layer which includes Melastoma
malabathricum subsp. malabathricum, Polyscias australianum, Chionanthus ramiflora,
Flagellaria indica, Syzygium angophoroides, Diospyros hebecarpa, Rhodamnia australis,
Deplanchea tetraphylla, Livistona muelleri, Carallia brachiata, Acmena hemilampra subsp.
hemilampra, Terminalia sp., Litsea breviumbellata, Maranthes corymbosa, Tabernaemontana
orientalis, and Macaranga involucrata var. mallotoides. Gahnia sp., Lomandra banksii and
Lindsaea ensifolia form the dominant ground cover. The community merges downstream with
VC3d which occupies the thicker deposits of fluvial sand.
Photograph 65. VC3a at Site
MO16 (Moa Island). Lophostemon
suaveolens forms the dominant
canopy.
Vegetation Community 3f: The only described representation of VC3f is on Badu Island where
it occupyies broad swampy drainage lines and and shallow depressions formed on loamy granitic
alluvium. The community typically forms on the upper reaches of drainage lines in broad gully
heads where a number of low angle alluvial fans coalesce. Lophostemon suaveolens forms the
dominant canopy, reaching heights of 30m, with co-dominant to sub-dominant Melaleuca
leucadendra. Corymbia clarksoniana forms a minor canopy component (5-10%) where the
community was sampled and Parinari nonda occasionally reaches canopy height. The subcanopy
is of Acacia leptocarpa, Acacia crassicarpa, Carallia brachiata, Dillenia alata and
Pandanus sp., with Banksia dentata, Gmelina dalrympleana, Pandanus sp., Rhodamnia australis
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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