3.3.2.1 Regional ecosystems
The latest RE mapping (Version 13.1) was obtained for the project area. Three REs area mapped within the remnant vegetation and are described in Table 3-4. Of the mapped remnant REs, one is classed as ‘of concern’, and the other two are classed as ‘least concern’ under the provisions of the Vegetation Management Act 1999 (VM Act). RE biodiversity statuses are classified as ‘of concern’ and ‘no concern at present,’ respectively. Biodiversity status is assessed by DETSI when considering development applications to clear vegetation. Least Concern is not a regulatory status, unless the biodiversity status includes essential habitat for specific threatened fauna/flora species.
Table 3-4
REs mapped within the project area.
Vegetation Management Act Status
Biodiversity status
RE
Short description
Open forest in sheltered gorges on coarse-grained sedimentary rocks Eucalyptus decorticans , Lysicarpus angustifolius , +/- Eucalyptus spp. , Corymbia spp., Acacia spp. woodland on coarse-grained sedimentary rocks
11.10.2
Of concern
Of concern
No concern at present
11.10.4b
Least concern
No concern at present
11.12.6
Corymbia citriodora open forest on igneous rocks (granite)
Least concern
Three REs (11.10.2, 11.10.4, 11.12.6) were field verified within the project area. RE 11.10.2 is listed as Of concern under the VM Act. The other two REs are listed as Least concern. RE 11.10.2 was the most prevalent (20.11 ha, 46.3%) across the project area and varied from low woodlands to open forests with canopies dominated by a mix of Corymbia trachyphloia and Syncarpia glomulifera. RE 11.10.4 was only observed as high value regrowth (HVR) and was the next most represented vegetation community in the project area (5.20 ha, 12.0%). This RE presented as a low open forest with a canopy dominated by Acacia spp. over a sparse grassy understory. RE 11.12.6 was the least represented RE (4.19 ha, 9.6%) in the project area and was restricted to the lower slopes surrounding Upper Mundic Gully. This RE presented as open forest with a canopy dominated by Blakella citriodora . These REs are further described in Table 3-5.
Table 3-5
Regional ecosystems field verified within the project area
VM Act Category
RE
Extent
Representative photo
Canopy layer (T1): height 8 – 28 m, 21- 45% canopy cover. Mixed canopy co-dominated by Corymbia trachyphloia and Syncarpia glomulifera. Sub-canopy (T2): height 5 – 8 m. Sparse layer generally comprised of regrowth T1 spp., along side Acacia salicina, Acacia sp. and Alphitonia excelsa . Localised patch of dense Lophostemon confertus. Shrub layer (S): Sparse layer comprised of recruiting T1 and T2 spp. alongside Coelospermum reticulatum and Dodonaea filifolia . Ground cover layer (G): Layer generally presented as sparse to frequent vegetation. Occasional patches devoid of vegetation. Entolasia stricta uniformly present across the CIA. Xanthorrhoea latifolia also frequently represented albeit with a patchy distribution. Other species included Arundinella nepalensis , Hannafordia shanesii , Aristida sp ., Eriachne sp . Lomandra confertifolia , Goodenia rotundifolia and Macrozamia miquelii .
11.10.2 B
20.11
GHD | Heritage Minerals Pty Ltd | 12626510 | Heritage Minerals Mount Morgan
13
Powered by FlippingBook