Appendix 2 - Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems

Vegetation Complex 3b: Vegetation community 3b (RE3.3.10a) forms a tall open forest
complex on Moa Island where it is restricted to narrow drainage lines incised into coarse sandy
plains. A canopy height range of 28 to 38m is typical comprising Melaleuca argentea and
Melaleuca leucadendra, although occasionally accompanied by vine forest species including
Syzygium forte subsp. forte becoming more prominent in the sub-canopy. Dominant sub-canopy
species include Dillenia alata, Parinari nonda, Acacia auriculiformis, Buchanania arborescens,
Euroschinus falcatus var. angustifolius and Pandanus sp. The community is represented in
Photograph 70. The community provides habitat for the vulnerable Voacanga grandiflora.
Photograph 70. Riparian open forest
(RE3.3.10a) at Site MO4, Moa
Island.
Vegetation Community 3g: Broad swampy drainage lines carved into degraded sand dunes on
Badu Island are habitat for swamp forest type VC3g. The drainage lines that host this community
originate as swampy depressions nestled within broad sand sheets and become gradually more
incised as water flux increases downstream. The depth of drainage incision, which may be up to
3m, and seasonal water flow has resulted in the classification of these forests within LZ3 rather
than LZ2, as might otherwise be applied if drainage away from the swamp was impeded to any
degree. Melaleuca dealbata forms the dominant canopy of this community, reaching heights of
30m, with associated species including Lophostemon sauveolens, Acmena hemilampra subsp.
hemilampra, Syzygium forte subsp. forte, Syzygium angophoroides, Deplanchea tetraphylla,
Gmelina dalrympleana and Acacia crassicarpa. Carallia brachiata, Dillenia alata and Gmelina
dalrympleana are prominent as sub-canopy species. The shrub layer is dominated by the vine
forest species Polyscias australiana, Wilkiea rigidifolia, Syzygium fibrosum, Chionanthus
ramiflora, Cryptocarya brassii, Macaranga involucrata var. mallotoides, Rhodamnia australis,
Dysoxylum oppositifolium, Tabernaemontana orientalis, Litsea breviumbellata, Endiandra
3d Environmental – Torres Strait Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project – August 2008
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