Mvg 15 Low Closed Forests and Tall Closed Shrublands draft

Indicative species

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  The canopy is dominated by one or a few species including Agonis flexuosa in south Western Australia (Beard et al. 2013), Casuarina equisetifolia around tropical and subtropical coast lines (Neldner et al. 2014), and Acacia sophorae, Banksia integrifolia, Leptospermum laevigatum, Leucopogon parviflorus and Melaleuca armillaris around the subtropical and temperate coasts of eastern and southeast Australia (Keith 2004; (Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004).
  
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  The ground layer includes species of Austrostipa, Lepidosperma, Lomandra Oplismenus, Poa, and Ficinia nodosa in the southern Australia (Keith 2004); and is dominated by grasses and forbs such as Thuarea involuta, Eragrostis interrupta, Sporobolus virginicus, Euphorbia tannensis subsp. tannensis, Achyranthes aspera, Tribulus cistoides and Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis in northern Australia (Neldner et al. 2014).
  

Environment

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  Occurs in exposed locations on coastal headlands, foredunes and beach ridges (Keith 2004; Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004; Neldner et al. 2014).
  
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  Substrates vary from unconsolidated sands to various rocky substrates including limestone in south-western Australia (Beadle 1981).
  

Geography

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  Distributed around the coastal fringe of Australia in all states and territories except the ACT.
  
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  Typically small patches within narrow coastal zones from a few hectares to larger pockets.
  

Change

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  Approximately 37% of the estimated pre-1750 extent cleared accounting for 0.9% of total clearing in Australia.
  
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  Approximately 9 500 km² cleared since European settlement due to coastal development.
  
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  Near major population centres and along the eastern seaboard this community has been cleared for urban development, recreation infrastructure
  
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  Exposed to frequent fire regimes in some per-urban areas due to unplanned ignitions.
  
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  Threats include the increasing residential/urban expansion in and along coastal areas, root rot disease, nutrient enrichment and weed invasion and regular or intense fires used as part of hazard reduction management near urban areas