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Coastal Acacia rostellifera low shrubland occurs close to the coast, from behind the foredunes to various
distances inland but generally on primary dunes. Myoporum insulare, Olearia axillaris, Scaevola crassifolia
and Spinifex longifolius are other characteristic species of this plant community.
A variant of this community, shown in Plate A8.8.4, is dominated by Melaleuca huegelii, and occurs near the
southern end of Tarcoola Beach. Small areas of Melaleuca lanceolata, illustrated in Plate A8.8.5, are another
variant within this community. Both of these variants also show affinities with plant community 10 Near
Coastal: Acacia rostellifera shrubland.
Area in GRFVS:
% of GRFVS area:
Quadrats:
GRV0801, 03, 05, 16,
46, 50
546.25 ha
8.86
(6)
NVIS description:
Shrubland, Open Shrubland, Open Chenopod Shrubland, Open Vineland, Open
Tussock Grassland
Keighery description:
Shrubland, Low Shrubland, Open Shrubland, Open Heath
Muir description:
Low Scrub B, Open Low Scrub B, Heath B
The following common species were recorded:
Tall shrubs:
*Lycium ferocissimum
Mid shrubs:
Acacia rostellifera, Myoporum insulare, Olearia axillaris, Rhagodia preissii
subsp.
obovata, Scaevola crassifolia, Stylobasium spathulatum
Low shrubs:
Rhagodia latifolia subsp. recta, Tetragonia implexicoma, Threlkeldia diffusa,
Zygophyllum fruticulosum
Climbers:
Clematis linearifolia
Grasses:
Austrostipa elegantissima, *Ehrharta longiflora, Spinifex longifolius
Herbs:
Acanthocarpus preissii, *Anagallis arvensis, *Brassica tournefortii, Calandrinia
polyandra, Carpobrotus virescens, *Euphorbia terracina, *Reichardia tingitana,
*Sonchus oleraceus
Landform:
Gentle slope, dune
Geology:
Quindalup soil system, in the following subsystems, both of which are deep
Aeolian calcareous sand and minor limestone:
• Quindalup Central 1 frontal plain Phase soil subsystem: 221Qu_1Qs1 low
lying plain adjoining foredune or beach
• Quindalup Central stable parabolic dune Phase1 soil subsystem:
221Qu_1Qp1 low stable parabolic dunes with relief 5-15 m.
Surface rock:
None
Soil:
White sand
% Cover leaf litter:
10-90
% Cover bare ground:
2-50
% Weed cover:
2-10
8. Coastal: Acacia rostellifera low shrubland (cAr)
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Plate A8.8.1: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0801, Glenfield Beach
Photographer: L Atkins
Plate A8.8.2: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0846, Cape Burney
Photographer: L Atkins
Plate A8.8.3: Photo direction: E
Location: 263695 E, 6835412 N,
Oakajee
Photographer: J. Nelson
Plate A8.8.4: Photo direction: S
Location: 268510 E, 6809147N, Tarcoola
Beach
Photographer: J.
Nelson
Notes:
This plant community occurs along the entire coastline of GRFVS area where
there is existing native vegetation.
Further inland from the Coastal Acacia rostellifera low shrubland plant
community, the vegetation is taller, often has less species and has been
determined to be a different plant community (10 Near Coastal: Acacia rostellifera
shrubland). However the boundary between these plant communities is not clear
and often grades from one to the other.
Floristically this group is closely allied with the other coastal and near coastal
plant communities, and can be differentiated by the generally low stature (<2m
high) of the dominant species (Acacia rostellifera), and the frequent occurrence of
Myoporum insulare, Olearia axillaris, Carpobrotus virescens, Scaevola crassifolia
and Spinifex longifolius, which are generally not found further inland. In areas
without these characteristic species, the vegetation is more likely to be plant
community 10 Near Coastal: Acacia rostellifera shrubland.
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Plate A8.8.5: Photo direction: N
Location: 263784 E, 6813595N,
Point Moore
Photographer: J. Nelson
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The Coastal Acacia rostellifera / Eucalyptus spp. plant community occurs on coastal sand. The Eucalyptus
species are commonly the mallees E. oraria and E. obtusiflora, singly or in combination. Floristically this
community is allied with the other Acacia rostellifera communities but is differentiated on structure, being
dominated by mallee eucalypts.
Area in GRFVS:
% of GRFVS area:
Quadrats:
GRV0828
12.47 ha
0.20
(1)
NVIS description:
Closed Mallee Forest
Keighery description:
Closed Tree Mallee
Muir description:
Dense Tree Mallee
The following common species were recorded:
Mallees:
Eucalyptus obtusiflora, Eucalyptus oraria
Tall shrubs:
Acacia rostellifera
Mid shrubs:
Ptilotus divaricatus
Low shrubs:
Zygophyllum fruticulosum
Climbers:
Clematis linearifolia
Grasses:
*Bromus diandrus, *Ehrharta brevifolia
var. cuspidata
Herbs:
*Euphorbia peplus, *Euphorbia terracina
Landform:
Flat dune
Geology:
Quindalup Central 1 swale Phase soil subsystem: 221Qu_1Qs2, gently undulating
plains surrounded by parabolic dunes. Calcareous deep sand. Geology: Aeolian
calcareous sands and minor limestone
Surface rock:
None
Soil:
White sand
% Cover leaf litter:
60
% Cover bare ground:
0-40
% Weed cover:
80
Notes:
Despite extensive survey, this plant community has only been found in one part
of the GRFVS area, between Tarcoola Beach and the Greenough River.
9. Coastal: Acacia rostellifera / Eucalyptus spp. (Ar/Espp)
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Plate A8.9: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0828, Southgate
Photographer: L. Atkins
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10. Near Coastal: Acacia rostellifera shrubland (ncAr)
Near Coastal: Acacia rostellifera shrubland occurs on taller secondary dunes, and on exposed limestone and
sandplain soils to the east where this community is often a result of disturbance.
On the sandplain soils, the community probably formerly included Banksia prionotes but has been reduced to
a simpler community dominated by Acacia rostellifera by clearing or grazing.
Acacia rostellifera is usually the dominant species, however Acacia xanthina, Alyxia buxifolia or Chamelaucium
uncinatum may be dominant or co-dominants in this community.
Area in GRFVS:
% of GRFVS area:
Quadrats:
GRV0802, 12, 17, 19, 30,
31, 32, 48, 51, 52, 54,
57, 73, 74
2258.87 ha
36.63
(14)
NVIS description:
Sparse Shrubland, Open Shrubland, Shrubland, Closed Shrubland
Keighery description:
Open Shrubland, Tall Open Shrubland, Tall Open Scrub, Tall Shrubland, Closed
Tall Scrub
Muir description:
Open Scrub, Open Low Scrub, Scrub, Thicket, Dense Thicket
The following common species were recorded:
Tall shrubs:
Acacia rostellifera, Acacia xanthina, Alyxia buxifolia, Anthocercis littorea,
Chamelaucium uncinatum, *Lycium ferocissimum, Pimelea microcephala subsp.
microcephala, Pittosporum ligustrifolium
Mid shrubs:
Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata, Scaevola crassifolia, Stylobasium spathulatum
Low shrubs:
Muehlenbeckia adpressa, Tetragonia implexicoma, Threlkeldia diffusa
Climbers:
Cassytha flava, Clematis linearifolia, Commicarpus australis
Grasses:
Austrostipa elegantissima, *Avena barbata, *Bromus diandrus, *Ehrharta
longiflora, *Pennisetum setaceum
Herbs:
Acanthocarpus preissii, *Brassica tournefortii, *Euphorbia peplus, *Euphorbia
terracina, *Reichardia tingitana, *Sonchus oleraceus
Landform:
Gentle dune, slope or ridge, flat hilltop or valley, steep riverbank
Geology:
Quindalup or Tamala soil systems, on Aeolian calcareous sand or lithified
Pleistocene limestone with overlying calcareous sands
Surface rock:
None or up to 2% limestone
Soil:
White, grey, yellow or orange sand, orange clayey sand
% Cover leaf litter:
0-90
% Cover bare ground:
0-80
% Weed cover:
2-60
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Notes:
This plant community merges with the lower plant community 8 Coastal: Acacia
rostellifera shrubland closer to the coast and plant community 13 Sandplain:
Banksia prionotes / Acacia rostellifera on the sandplain to the east.
Near Coastal: Acacia rostellifera shrubland occurs on taller dunes and along
higher river banks, where there is often some exposed limestone. One of the
quadrat sites, close to the Greenough River, had surface soil consisting of a
significant proportion of snail shells. Acacia rostellifera is a colonising species,
which is probably the reason it dominates in disturbed areas.
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Plate A8.10.5: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0873, Rudds Gully
Photographer: L. Atkins
Plate A8.10.6: Photo direction: S
Location: 266483 E, 6825390 N,
Glenfield Beach
Photographer: L. Atkins
Plate A8.10.1: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0819, Oakajee
Photographer: L. Atkins
Plate A8.10.2: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0848, Greenough River
Photographer: L. Atkins
Plate A8.10.3: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0852, Greenough
Photographer: L. Atkins
Plate A8.10.4: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0854, Buller
Photographer: L. Atkins
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The plant community Melaleuca cardiophylla /Eucalyptus spp. occurs on limestone ridges and slopes.
Floristically it is closely allied with the Melaleuca cardiophylla plant community on limestone soils, but is
separated structurally due to the presence of the mallees including Eucalyptus obtusiflora and E. oraria, which
in places form dense stands, and E. zopherophloia.
Area in GRFVS:
% of GRFVS area:
Quadrats:
GRV0827, 61
19.95 ha
0.32
(2)
NVIS description:
Mallee Woodland, Open Mallee Woodland, Shrubland, Sparse Shrubland
Keighery description:
Open Shrub Mallee, Very Open Tree Mallee
Muir description:
Open Shrub Mallee, Very Open Tree Mallee
The following common species were recorded:
Mallees:
Eucalyptus obtusiflora, E. oraria, E. zopherophloia
Tall shrubs:
Alyogyne hakeifolia, Grevillea argyrophylla, *Lycium ferocissimum Melaleuca
cardiophylla, Melaleuca huegelii, Pittosporum ligustrifolium
Mid shrubs:
Lasiopetalum angustifolium
Low shrubs:
Rhagodia latifolia subsp. recta , Zygophyllum fruticulosum
Grasses:
Austrostipa elegantissima, *Avena barbata, *Bromus diandrus, *Pennisetum
setaceum
Herbs:
*Anagallis arvensis *Brassica tournefortii, *Euphorbia peplus, *Hypochaeris
glabra, *Medicago polymorpha, Oxalis perennans, *Petrorhagia dubia
Landform:
Gentle slope, steep ridge
Geology:
Tamala soil system in the following subsystems:
• Tamala South 2 steep rocky slopes Phase soil subsystem: 221Ta_2Tst,
steep dune slopes with very common limestone outcrop. Shallow (10-50 cm)
uniform brownish sands, non-calcareous. Geology: Pleistocene limestone
and Aeolian sand.
• Tamala South 5 shallow sand Phase soil subsystem: 221Ta_5Ts, undulating
to gently undulating relict dune crests with shallow sand and common
limestone rock outcrop. Shallow red and brown sands. Geology: lithified
Pleistocene calcareous dune deposits and recent calcareous sand.
Surface rock:
Up to 5% exposed limestone, with fragments 10-40 cm.
Soil:
Grey sand, grey loamy sand.
% Cover leaf litter:
3-50
% Cover bare ground:
25-40
% Weed cover:
10-40
Notes:
Two quadrats of this plant community were recorded from the GRFVS area, but
it occurs in other small remnant patches and a larger area on the limestone scarp
north of the Buller River. It has been observed south of the GRFVS area.
11. Limestone Ridge: Melaleuca cardiophylla / Eucalyptus spp. (Mc/Espp)
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Plate A8.11.1: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0827, Wandina
Photographer: L. Atkins
Plate A8.11.2: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0861, Rudds Gully
Photographer: C. Krens
Plate A8.11.3: Photo direction: S
Location: 273510 E, 6806924 N,
Rudds Gully
Photographer: J. Nelson
Plate A8.11.4: Photo direction: SE
Location: 269412 E, 6809472 N,
Wandina
Photographer: J. Nelson
Plate A8.11.5: Photo direction: SE
Location: 266027 E, 6831351 N, Buller
Photographer: J. Nelson
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Limestone ridge Melaleuca cardiophylla occurs on limestone ridges and slopes high in the landscape. Acacia
xanthina dominated one of the GRFVS floristic quadrats, but in general Melaleuca cardiophylla was the
dominant species, with Diplolaena grandiflora, Grevillea argyrophylla, *Lycium ferocissimum and Pittosporum
ligustrifolium commonly occurring.
Individual mallees, most commonly Eucalyptus obtusiflora and E. oraria, are occasional inclusions; however,
where these occur in extensive stands, the plant community becomes 11 Limestone Ridge: Melaleuca
cardiophylla / Eucalyptus spp.
Area in GRFVS:
% of GRFVS area:
Quadrats:
GRV0813, 20, 21, 29,
43, 56, 66, 67, 68
865.80 ha
14.04
(9)
NVIS description:
Sparse Shrubland, Sparse Vineland, Sparse Chenopod Shrubland, Sparse
Forbland, Open Shrubland, Shrubland, Closed Shrubland
Keighery description:
Tall Open Scrub, Open Heath, Tall Shrubland, Closed Tall Scrub
Muir description:
Open Scrub, Scrub, Thicket, Heath B, Dense Thicket
The following common species were recorded:
Tall shrubs:
Acacia xanthina, Diplolaena grandiflora, Grevillea argyrophylla, *Lycium
ferocissimum, Melaleuca cardiophylla, Pittosporum ligustrifolium, Santalum
acuminatum
Mid shrubs:
Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata, Scaevola tomentosa
Low shrubs:
Melaleuca campanae, Ptilotus divaricatus, Ptilotus obovatus, Rhagodia latifolia
subsp. recta, Zygophyllum fruticulosum
Climbers:
Aphanopetalum clematideum, Dioscorea hastifolia,
Sedges and rushes:
Desmocladus asper
Grasses:
Austrostipa elegantissima, *Avena barbata, *Bromus diandrus
Herbs:
*Anagallis arvensis, *Brassica tournefortii, *Hypochaeris glabra, *Medicago
polymorpha, *Petrorhagia dubia,
Landform:
Gentle, flat or steep, slope, dune, ridge or hilltop
Geology:
Tamala soil system, on the following subsystems:
• Tamala South 2 steep rocky slopes Phase soil subsystem: 221Ta_2Tst,
steep dune slopes with very common limestone outcrop. Shallow (10-50 cm)
uniform brownish sands, non-calcareous. Geology: Pleistocene limestone
and Aeolian sand.
• Tamala South 3 yellow Sandplain Phase soil subsystem: 221Ta_3Ysp, level
to undulating Sandplain. Yellow deep sand. Geology: lithified Pleistocene
calcareous dune deposits with recent dunes.
• Tamala South 5 shallow sand Phase soil subsystem: 221Ta_5Ts, undulating
to gently undulating relict dune crests with shallow sand and common
limestone rock outcrop. Shallow red and brown sands. Geology: lithified
Pleistocene calcareous dune deposits and recent calcareous sand.
12. Limestone Ridge: Melaleuca cardiophylla (rMc)
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Plate A8.12.1: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0813, Oakajee
Photographer: L. Atkins
Plate A8.12.2: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0821, Oakajee
Photographer: L. Atkins
Surface rock:
2-30% exposed limestone, 10-100cm fragments
Soil:
Grey sand, orange-grey sand, grey loamy sand, grey sandy loam, orange brown
sandy loam
% Cover leaf litter:
10-95
% Cover bare ground:
5-35
% Weed cover:
<1-50
Notes:
Many areas of this plant community are grazed by cattle, and in most cases this
has led to low cover of shrub species and a high weed cover.
This community would have been the most common plant community on
exposed Tamala limestone ridges, but some areas have been reduced to a
simpler community dominated by Acacia rostellifera (plant community 10 Near
Coastal: Acacia rostellifera shrubland), which it sometimes merges with.
Limestone Ridge Melaleuca cardiophylla shrublands occurs from the Buller
locality northwards, high on the first and second ridges from the coast where
there is exposed limestone capping, and on the limestone ridges of Mt Tarcoola
and south-eastwards through Rudds Gully and Jandanol Park.
This plant community corresponds with the Beard vegetation association 387:
Melaleuca cardiophylla thicket, however the scale of the Beard mapping was
too broad to detect this unit in the GRFVS project area, where it often occupies
narrow bands on the ridgetops.
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Plate A8.12.3: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0866, Jandanol Park
Photographer: L. Atkins
Plate A8.12.4: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0867, Jandanol Park
Photographer: L. Atkins
Plate A8.12.5: Photo direction: SE
Location: GRV0868, Jandanol Park
Photographer: L. Atkins
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