Regional Ecosystems PDF

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Regional ecosystems assignment...

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BZ2490 Emma Osmond

Regional Ecosystems Practical Regional Ecosystems Land Zone Type: (General term and short description, 1 mark each) Area of this Habitat per RE type: (1 mark)

List biodiversity status for each RE’s (1 mark each) Vegetation description (4 marks)

7.1.1

7.2.2

7.3.10

7.12.11

Estuarine wetlands (mangroves)

Wetlands containing palustrine wetlands

Wetlands containing palustrine wetlands

Wetlands

Current extent (2019) – 45000 ha

Current extent (2019) – 400 ha

Current extent (2019) - 14000 ha

Current extent (2019) - 17000 ha

Pre-clearing extent – 47000 ha No concern at present

Pre-clearing extent – 700 ha Endangered biodiversity status

Pre-clearing extent - 60000 ha Endangered biodiversity status

Pre-clearing extent – 17000 ha Of concern

Mangrove varying from closed scrub to open forest. Formed in sheltered coastlines/estuaries which experience regular tidal inundation.

Notophyll vine forest often with Acacia emergent, on lowland sand/beach. Common species include: Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Diospyros geminata, Canarium australianum, Alphitonia excelsa, etc Lat: -18.61302 Long: 146.49119 NE from the dive shed – very close to station

Varying from simple-complex mesophyll to notophyll vine forest. Formed on seasonally inundated lowland alluvial floodplains. Feather palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) found scattered in the sub-canopy

Ranging from simple to complex notophyl vine forest. Semievergreen notophyll vine forest and thicket. Rocky areas/talus and unstable slopes. Foothills and uplands in rainfall zones.

Lat: -18.61391 Long: 146.49058 Directly south of the station

Provides important food source for birds and significant habitat for migratory

Harbours many threatened and uncommon endemic species. Primitive flowering

Lat: -18.61396 Long: 146.49281 Closest patch is ESE of the research station (behind the station), and along the length of the Northern and Eastern facing coast of Orpheus Potential habitat for National Conservation Act listed species: Arenga australasica,

Where can you find it from the station? (provide lats and longs & brief description) (2 marks)

Lat -18.61362 Long: 146.48892 Meets the SW corner (left facing the ocean) of the beach at the station.

Special values Conservation code or endangered species names:

Ecosystem encompasses important fish nursey areas. Fire management is

BZ2490 Emma Osmond (2 marks each)

unrequired – Do not deliberately burn. This will prevent endangerment of vulnerable and endangered species (ant plant (Myrmecodia beccarii) and the Apollo jewel butterfly Hypochrysops apollo apollo))

species. Unusual examples on Palm Island Group, which formed on rocky regions coastal granite and boulder ridges.

Arytera dictyoneura, plant species Phlegmariurus including the phlegmarioides Idiospermaceae family are contained within this regional ecosystem.

Question 1. Based on the results of this table which two regional ecosystems would you consider a priority for conservation management and why (6 marks)? Based on the results of this table, the two regional ecosystems which would be considered a priority are 7.2.2 and 7.3.10. This is because these two regional ecosystems are classified as having an endangered biodiversity status, which means these ecosystems are of highest concern to avoid total clearing and extinction. These regional ecosystems have also encountered the highest relative proportion of clearing of the classified ecosystem extent. In order to preserve the current extent, these ecosystems would be considered as priority for conservation management. Question 2. With respect to the ecosystems listed in this table, what features of the landform and vegetation would you use to determine which of these regional ecosystems you are working in (10 marks)? In order to determine which regional ecosystem you are working in, looking at the substrate and the dominant canopy coverage or emergent species would be strong indicators to help classify the ecosystem. The topographical position and the substrate may be the first strong indicator, whether it is predominately rocky/unstable and likely has a pronounced topographic gradient, or on more lowland or sand beach substrate, will determine whether or not it is classified as 7.12.11 which is rocky/unstable. The dominant growth form would be a strong indicator. The emergent species in the canopy will help differentiate between the lowland notophyll vine forest, as 7.2.2 has Acacia species present and 7.3.10 does not. The final regional ecosystem (7.1.1) is classified as mangrove, which has unique vegetation and is likely located in estuarine shoreline areas. Question 3. It is common for continental islands to show different vegetation communities between windward and leeward locations. Looking at the Regional Ecosystem map of Orpheus Island, describe how aspect and other landform features could be influencing the distribution of different ecosystems (15 marks)? The distribution of different regional ecosystems across Orpheus Island can be strongly attributed to the windward and leeward locations present due to the geomorphology of the island. The windward side receives warm ocean winds which promotes the growth of dense vegetation with thick canopy coverage and supports large emergent species. Whereas

BZ2490 Emma Osmond the leeward side receives comparably less warm ocean winds and potential rainfall, which has less ability to support lush vegetation with a sizable diameter. The leeward side may support short vegetation, or vine forests like notophyll vine forests. The topography of continental islands is also a restricting factor, as steep gradients along ridges will have limited vegetation which can be supported when compared to lowland areas, which have different soil qualities....