3.0 VEGETATION COMMUNITIES

Based on analysis of results, 34 vegetation communities are defined for the catchment. Each community is described fully in Section 3.3 (Vegetation Community Descriptions). Table 2 describes each community in scientific and common terms. Also depicted are areas cleared to 2004 and areas cleared between 1984 and 1994 derived from aerial photography interpretation.

Vegetation across the catchment is predominantly Eucalyptus tetrodonta/E. miniata associations representing just over 50% of the catchment. These associations are extensive across a range of well- drained landforms namely plains and rises. Erythrophleum chlorostachys associations and Eucalyptus tectifica/ are also common occurring on rises and plains.

Minor communities confined to alluvial plains and drainage depressions are characterised by Corymbia polycarpa, C. bella, Lophostemon grandiflorus, Eucalyptus microtheca and E. apodophylla. Low hills, hills and plateaux incorporate C. latifolia, C. dichromophloia, E. phoenicea, E. tintinnans and paradoxus associations. In some instances fire-sensitive Callitris intratropica occurs in small populations restricted predominantly to scarps and plateaux.

Melaleuca dominated communities are commonly associated with permanent and/or ephemeral riparian zones and swamps. Swamps are frequent across the catchment either occurring in pure stands of Melaleuca sp., L. grandiflorus or as mixed communities.

E. umbrawarrensis is of significance to the catchment occurring in pure stands on sandstone ridges and plateaux. It has a distribution in the Top End, west of Mainoru to the Umbrawarra Gorge area, south- west to the Moray Range and Mt Wilson and north of Top Springs (Brooker & Kleinig, 2004).

A total of 465 species were recorded during the field survey component (Appendix 17). Voucher specimens have been lodged with the NT Herbarium.

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Stray Creek Catchment Vegetation Survey

March 2005