3.3 Flora results The project area presented as a landscape of steep rocky slopes ascending to sheer cliff faces comprised of parent rock. Crests presented as narrow flats with reduced and/or stunted vegetation. Soils throughout the project area were relatively uniform, comprised of relatively shallow, sandy soils predominantly derived from sandstone. Evidence of igneous basalt parent material was evident to a lesser extent, within the project area and was isolated to lower slopes and along the valley floor. Vegetation across the project area presented a mosaic of forest and woodland communities. Canopies were predominantly comprised of Corymbia trachyphloia, Syncarpia glomulifera, Blakella citriodora and Acacia spp. A mixed canopy of C. trachyphloia and S. glomulifera was the most prevalent within the CIA. Canopy composition transitions were abrupt but infrequent, with smaller patches of Acacia spp dominant woodland and B. citriodora dominant open forest noted within the project area.
3.3.1 Threatened ecological communities
Based on the EPBC Protected Matters Search Tool (PMST) three endangered TECs may occur within the study area, these being: – Weeping Myall Woodlands (Endangered) – Coolibah – Black Box Woodlands of the Darling Riverine Plains and the Brigalow Belt (Endangered) – Poplar Box grassy woodland on alluvial plains (Endangered) In Queensland, TECs are linked to certain REs which are identified in the listing advice of each TEC. No REs mapped within the project area aligned with Weeping Myall Woodlands, Coolibah or Poplar Box grasslands TECs. Vegetation was assessed against the key diagnostics for the three TECs shortlisted by the desktop assessment. Vegetation within the project area did not meet TEC diagnostics, with none of the required characteristic canopy species ( Acacia pendula, Eucalyptus populnea, Eucalyptus coolabah, Eucalyptus largiflorens) confirmed during field surveys. Field verified REs (refer to Section 3.3.2), within the project area, similarly are not known to associated with any of the TECs. Given the surveys were able to comprehensively traverse the survey area, TECs are considered highly unlikely to occur with the project area. 3.3.2 Regulated vegetation Regulated vegetation mapping over the project area includes Category B (remnant vegetation) and Category X (non-remnant) vegetation. Remnant vegetation is mapped along the north-eastern to south-eastern boundaries of the project area. Field surveys verified the presence of Category B (remnant), Category C High Value Regrowth (HVR) and Category X (non-remnant) vegetation within the project area. The majority (24.30 ha, 55.9%) of the project area was field verified as remnant stands of mixed eucalypt woodlands and open forests, which encompassed the north to northwestern half of the project area. Non-remnant vegetation was the next most prevalent (13.97 ha, 32.1%) vegetation noted within the project area. Most of this non-remnant vegetation was located in artificially built-up areas located along the southern and eastern extents of the project area. These areas were dominated by exotic grass species with sparse recruitment by opportunistic native species. Additional non-remnant vegetation was mapped along the slopes immediately west of the artificial flats. Vegetation along these slopes was characterised by young acacia regrowth, establishing above a mosaic of dense Lantana camara thickets and exotic native grasses. HVR vegetation was the least observed (5.20 ha, 12.0%) regulated vegetation within the project area. This vegetation was restricted to the upper slopes and crests along the southwestern extent of the project area. These areas predominantly presented as highly uniform canopies of Acacia species. Eucalypt species were notably absent relative to adjacent areas and may be an artifact of historical selective clearing. Regulated vegetation is depicted in Figure 3 1.
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