Regional ecosystem 12.2.5 - littoral rainforest
The Queensland biodiversity status is of concern but the ecosystem is considered vulnerable south of Noosa due to clearing, recreational use, weed incursion and over-frequent fire.
A coastal ecosystem which occurs on frontal dunes either on beach ridges, in the swales between dunes or on the sandy banks of coastal streams.
The Queensland biodiversity status is of concern but the ecosystem is considered vulnerable south of Noosa due to clearing, recreational use, weed incursion and over-frequent fire.
The class given under the Vegetation Management Act is least concern.
Description
Open or closed canopy forest sometimes very low due to wind shear, particularly on exposed coastal dunes. The shrubby under-storey may include vine forest species. This ecosystem often has broad-leaved paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) and cabbage tree palms (Livistona spp.) in the swales where the ecosystem classification is 12.2.5a, vegetated wetland.
Flora commonly found in this ecosystem include:
| Acacia spp. | Wattles |
| Acronychia imperforate | Coastal aspen |
| Austromyrtus dulcis | Midyim |
| Corymbia intermedia | Pink bloodwood |
| Banksia aemula | Wallum banksia |
| Banksia integrifolia var integrifolia | Coastal banksia |
| Callitris columellaris | Bribie Island pine |
| Cupaniopsis anacardioides | Tuckeroo |
| Cyclophyllum coprosmoides | Coastal canthium |
| Exocarpos latifolius | Beach cherry |
| Melaleuca quinquenervia | Broad-leaved paperbark |
Management considerations
This ecosystem provides habitat for threatened flora and fauna species. Ecosystem diversity is threatened by over-frequent fires south of Noosa. Fire should be excluded from this ecosystem to maintain ecosystem diversity and protect threatened species. This ecosystem may require active protection from wildfire in extreme conditions or after prolonged drought.
The other threat to this ecosystem is weed incursion, and some of the common garden weeds regularly invading this ecosystem include:
| Gloriosa superba | Glory lily |
| Bryophyllum ssp | Mother of millions |
| Callisia fragrans | Purple succulent |
| Ipomoea cairica | Coastal morning glory |
| Lantana camara | Lantana (on edges) |
| Murraya paniculata | Mock orange |
| Ochna serrulata | Mickey mouse plant |
| Protasparagus densiflorus var sprengeri | Asparagus fern |
| Sansevieria trifasciata | Mother-in-law’s tongue |
| Schinus tebinthifolia | Broad leaf pepper tree |
| Schefflera actinophylla | Umbrella tree |
| Senna pendula var. glabrata | Easter cassia |
| Sphagneticola trilobata | Singapore daisy |
| Nephrolepsis cordifolia | Fishbone fern |
This ecosystem is found in coastal areas of Sandy Srait South to Caloundra. Some local locations where the ecosystem is found include Marcus Beach, Sunshine Beach, Coolum, Yaroomba and Warana.
Article by Suzanne Aspland