Boigu Island in the Torres Strait
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PROFILE FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE HABITATS AND RELATED ECOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE VALUES OF IAMA ISLAND January 2013 Prepared by 3D Environmental for Torres Strait Regional Authority Land & Sea Management Unit Cover image: 3D Environmental (2013) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Iama Island, which occupies a total area of 186 ha, is formed on a pile of granitic basement rocks that outcrop to a height of 68m. The rocky interior of the island is fringed by a number of younger landform features including beach ridges and broad flats formed from estuarine mud. A total of 14 vegetation communities, within 6 intact broad vegetation groups and 11 regional ecosystems are recognised across the island, representing approximately 14% of regional ecosystems recorded across the broader Torres Strait Island landscape. The most widespread vegetation type on the island other than mangrove is an open forest formation dominated by earlobe wattle (Acacia auriculiformis) (Thulup in local dialect). This is a unique habitat type found only on Iama. There are currently 259 flora species recorded on the island which comprises 202 (79%) native taxa, with 57 (21%) introduced species. This represents approximately 20% of the known flora for the Torres Strait Island group. One species of palm Arenga australasica, is listed as Vulnerable under Federal and State legislation with three species Dolichandrone spathacea (a shrub on mangrove margins), Operculina brownii (a vine of vine thickets) and Neololeba atra (a bamboo on vine thicket margins), listed as Near-Threatened under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992. A further 12 species are considered to have significance at a local and regional level. Based on preliminary information, some 45 plant species are known to be culturally significant to Iamalgal. As for the majority of Torres Strait Islands there is a considerable lack of systematic survey of fauna habitats on the island. A desktop review of previous reports and databases identified 71 animal species that have been reported on Iama Island including 1 frog, 15 reptile, 53 bird and two mammal species. Of these, 1 reptile, 1 bird and both mammal species are introduced. An additional 2 species have been identified as possibly occurring. This can be compared with the 384 terrestrial fauna species that have been reported for the broader Torres Strait Island group. A total of four species of conservation significance (threatened species) at either state or federal level have been recorded on the island, with an additional 5 species predicted to occur. There are also an additional 19 migratory species considered to have significance at federal level that are known to utilise the islands landscape. Within the 6 broad vegetation groups (or management units) identified on the island, a number of issues for future management are identified as necessary for the future biodiversity maintenance and ecological health of the island. These include: Monitoring for the introduction of continued spread of a number of exotic species, both fauna and flora, throughout the landscape. A requirement for further survey work to document the poorly known faunal assemblage on the island. Continued collection of floristic information, specifically those plants that are important as a traditional resource. Further survey and documentation of the complex and diverse cultural landscape on the island. Habitat Management Profile – Iama Island i It is important for any future surveys on Iama to be undertaken as collaborative research with the Iamalgal and to include study of traditional ecological knowledge and ethnotaxonomy. Furthermore all mapping and assessment work must comply with Iamalgal protocols and must be approved by the PBC and involve and be guided by the Land and Sea Rangers. Habitat Management Profile – Iama Island ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The project has been funded through the Land and Sea Management Unit of the Torres Strait Regional Authority. Our thanks are extended for the support and guidance of Tony O’Keeffe and Michael Bradby of TSRA who administered the project and provided valuable input throughout. 3D Environmental also wish to acknowledge all Iamalgal Elders and thank the Iama PBC and Iamalgal for access to the land. Much appreciation is also given to the rangers David Ned David, Richard Kepa and David Baragud and the TSRA Ranger Supervisor James Mills for assistance in the field. Input in regard to the islands cultural background and assistance in the field was provided by Dr Garrick Hitchcock. Fauna information was provided by Terry Reis with peer review carried out by Dr Garrick Hitchcock. Mr Peter Stanton provided the text for fire in the ecological landscape. Dr Paul Forster and staff of the Queensland Herbarium assisted with identification of plant specimens and provided advice on significant species. Barbara Waterhouse of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) provided valuable information on the occurrence and distribution of weeds. All members of the expert technical panel provided essential input into the process and their contribution is most appreciated. Habitat Management Profile – Iama Island iii Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Cultural Setting ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Geographic Setting .............................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Geological Context ............................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Methods ............................................................................................................................... 2 3.0 Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................................... 3 4.0 Legislative and Policy Considerations ............................................................................ 3 5.0 Vegetation and Flora .......................................................................................................... 6 5.1 Vegetation Groups and Mapping ......................................................................................... 6 5.2 Flora Species ....................................................................................................................... 9 5.2.1 Flora Species with Biodiversity Significance ...................................................................... 10 5.2.2 Introduced Plants ............................................................................................................... 15 5.2.3 Plants with Cultural Significance ........................................................................................ 17 6.0 Fauna (Animals) ............................................................................................................... 18 6.1 Culturally Important Fauna Species ................................................................................... 19 6.2 Fauna Habitat Values ......................................................................................................... 20 6.3 Fauna Species with Conservation Significance ................................................................. 20 6.3.1 Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Near Threatened Species ............... 20 6.3.2 Profiles of Species listed as Endangered or Vulnerable under the EPBC Act and/or NC Act known from Iama Island ..................................................................................................... 22 6.3.3 Migratory Fauna Species ................................................................................................... 25 6.3.4 Additional Possible Migratory species ............................................................................... 26 6.3.5 Fauna Species of Regional Significance ........................................................................... 26 6.4 Pest Fauna Species ........................................................................................................... 27 6.5 Threats to Fauna Animals and Habitat .............................................................................. 28 6.6 Future Priorities .................................................................................................................. 28 7.0 The Role of Fire in Savanna Landscapes ...................................................................... 29 8.0 Profiles for Iama Island Habitats .................................................................................... 31 8.1 Deciduous / Semi Deciduous Vine Forest and Thicket ...................................................... 31 8.1.1 Status of Ecological Knowledge ......................................................................................... 31 8.1.2 Ecological / Cultural Considerations .................................................................................. 32 8.1.3 Management Implications .................................................................................................. 33 8.1.4 Summary of Recommended Management Actions ........................................................... 33 8.2 Acacia Dominant Open Forests and Woodlands ............................................................... 35 8.2.1 Status of Ecological Knowledge ........................................................................................