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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 imperforateCoastal aspen
Austromyrtus dulcisMidyim
Corymbia intermediaPink bloodwood
Banksia aemulaWallum banksia
Banksia integrifolia var integrifoliaCoastal banksia
Callitris columellarisBribie Island pine
Cupaniopsis anacardioidesTuckeroo
Cyclophyllum coprosmoidesCoastal canthium
Exocarpos latifoliusBeach cherry
Melaleuca quinquenerviaBroad-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 superbaGlory lily
Bryophyllum sspMother of millions
Callisia fragransPurple succulent
Ipomoea cairicaCoastal morning glory
Lantana camaraLantana (on edges)
Murraya paniculataMock orange
Ochna serrulataMickey mouse plant
Protasparagus densiflorus var sprengeriAsparagus fern
Sansevieria trifasciataMother-in-law’s tongue
Schinus tebinthifoliaBroad leaf pepper tree
Schefflera actinophyllaUmbrella tree
Senna pendula var. glabrataEaster cassia
Sphagneticola trilobataSingapore daisy
Nephrolepsis cordifoliaFishbone 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