Attachment 4 - Terrestrial Ecology Report_RACV_2022 June

3. VEGETATION AND FLORA
3.1 Subject Land
The most common canopy tree species within the subject land were Eucalyptus robusta (swamp
mahogany), Glochidion ferdinandi (cheese tree) and Melaleuca quinquenervia (paperbark teatree).
Callitris columellaris (Bribie Island pine) and Melicope elleryana (pink evodia) were less frequent
canopy species.

There was a subcanopy dominated by Archontophoenix alexandrae (Alexandra palm), which although
a native species, is not considered locally indigenous.

The suite of canopy species reflected the regional ecosystem mapped across the subject land, Regional
Ecosystem (RE) 12.2.7 (described above) but more specifically RE 12.2.7c, described as:

      Melaleuca quinquenervia, Eucalyptus robusta, Melicope elleryana open forest with
      understorey of Todea barbara. Occurs along watercourses on Quaternary coastal dunes and
      beaches and seasonally waterlogged sandplains.

The ground and midstorey was highly disturbed and dominated by weed species. The most
widespread and dominant weed was Chonemorpha fragrans (frangipani vine). This vine was climbing
into the canopy of the native trees, competing with them for light and other resources. Also
widespread was the vine Dioscorea bulbifera var. bulbifera (aerial yam), which although naturally
occurring in north Queensland, is a weed species in southeast Queensland.

Frangipanni vine is sold at Bunnings (for example) as a fragrant creeper. Discussions with several
restoration contractors on the coast and Noosa Council officers confirmed that the plant is not known
or encountered as a weed. The situation at the subject land is possibly fairly unique and it is likely this
plant was “dumped” at the site. The natural growth form, under optimal conditions, has lead to a
rather dire situation for the native species of the subject land, particularly the strangling of the native
canopy and exclusion of native understorey. Refer references for this species – “Chonemorpha
fragrans is a vigorous climber native to India and South East Asia. A vigorous climber, Chonemorpha
requires a strong and sturdy structure to support it’s weight. This makes it more suited to be grown
on larger structures such as columns and pergolas. It also makes a great screen on sturdy fencing with
trellis to extend it’s height. It’s a good idea to prune the vine during the winter months to get it back
into shape and to restrict growth to a manageable size” 18.

Other weed species in the ground and midstorey included Allamanda cathartica (golden trumpet
vine), Cyperus involucratus (umbrella sedge), Murraya paniculata 'Exotica' (murraya), Ochna serrulata
(ochna), Schinus terebinthifolius (broadleaf pepper tree) and Tecomaria capensis subsp. capensis
(Cape honeysuckle). Dyschoriste depressa was recorded in recent surveys and is regarded in southeast
Queensland as a particularly concerning weed, known to be spread by slasher/maintenance
contractors It is likely to have “arrived” at the site through the slashing/mowing along the road verge.

ATTACHMENT C provides a list of all the species recorded on the subject land.

Overall, of the eighty two (83) species recorded on the subject land for the survey described herein,
twenty-five (26) were introduced (refer ATTACHMENT C). Five of the native species had been planted
(cultivated) along the entrance road to the resort site to the north of the subject land. An additional
four native species were non-indigenous to the area that have self-sown. The records from the
previous survey (Biological & Environmental Services, 2006) are also included in the species list.




18 https://gardenexpressions.com.au/plant-of-the-month-chonemorpha-fragrans-frangipani-vine-great-on-a-trellis/




Terrestrial Ecology Assessment – RACV Noosa                                                                       15