Ecosystems of the Fraser Coast Region

Ecosystems of the Fraser Coast Region

Return to ecosystem list

10 of 84

Fraser Coast Regional ecosystem information

Regional Ecosystem   12.2.7

 

Priority   4

Short Description  Melaleuca quinquenervia or rarely M. dealbata open forest on sand plains

Notes  koala

Comments  12.2.7: Naturalised species associated with this regional ecosystem include *Baccharis halimifolia. Dense stands may occur as a tall shrub understorey. 12.2.7a: Largely restricted to southern sand mass islands. 12.2.7b: Largely restricted to southern sand mass islands. 12.2.7c: Largely restricted to southern sand mass islands.

Special Values  12.2.7: Habitat for threatened plant species including Phaius australis, P. bernaysii and near threatened species including Durringtonia paludosa. This ecosystem is also known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). 12.2.7a: This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). 12.2.7c: This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus).

Fraser Coast region distribution  K'gari and mainland between Burrum Heads and Urangan, and Tuan to Tin Can Bay.

Long Description  Melaleuca quinquenervia or rarely M. dealbata open forest. Other species include Eucalyptus tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia, E. bancroftii, E. latisinensis, E. robusta, Lophostemon suaveolens and Livistona decora. A shrub layer may occur with frequent species including Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum or Banksia robur. The ground layer is sparse to dense and comprised of species including the ferns Pteridium esculentum and Blechnum indicum the sedges Schoenus brevifolius, Baloskion tetraphyllum subsp. meiostachyum, Machaerina rubiginosa and Gahnia sieberiana and the grass Imperata cylindrica. Occurs on Quaternary coastal dunes and seasonally waterlogged sandplains usually fringing drainage system behind beach ridge plains or on old dunes, swales and sandy coastal creek levees. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 12.2.7a: Melaleuca quinquenervia low woodland with Gahnia sieberiana ground layer. Occurs on Quaternary coastal sand dunes fringing swamps. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a). 12.2.7b: Whipstick Melaleuca quinquenervia. Occurs at base of frontal dunes on Quaternary coastal dunes and beaches. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a). 12.2.7c: Melaleuca quinquenervia, Eucalyptus robusta, Melicope elleryana open forest with understorey of Todea barbara. Occurs along watercourses on Quaternary coastal dunes and beaches and seasonally waterlogged sandplains. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a). 12.2.7d: Eucalyptus bancroftii woodland. Other canopy species include Lophostemon suaveolens and Melaleuca quinquenervia. A shrub layer may occur with frequent species including Melaleuca nodosa, Hakea actites and Melaleuca pachyphylla. The ground layer is sparse to dense and comprised of heath species. Minor wet depressions sometimes occur and sedges dominate these areas. Occurs on Quaternary coastal dunes and seasonally waterlogged sandplains. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a).

Distribution Map
image map
Go to top

Return to ecosystem list