Boigu Island
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PROFILE FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE HABITATS AND RELATED ECOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE VALUES OF MASIG ISLAND January 2013 Prepared by 3D Environmental for Torres Strait Regional Authority Land & Sea Management Unit Cover image: 3D Environmental (2013) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Masig (Yorke) Island is located approximately 160 km north-east of Thursday Island, Queensland. The island is part of the Central Island Group, a geologically diverse group of small islands that also include the inhabited islands of Warraber (Sue), Poruma (Coconut) and Iama (Yam) and numerous uninhabited islands the largest being Sassie, Gebbar, Naghir (Mt Ernest). The Central Island group includes sand cays on coral platforms, mangrove islands, and islands formed on igneous basement rock. A total of six natural vegetation communities, within three broad vegetation groups and five regional ecosystems are recognised on the island. There are currently 209 plant species recorded, within 85 families and 154 genera, and comprising 144 natives (69 % of total species) and 65 (31 %) which are naturalised. This represents approximately 15% of the known flora for the Torres Strait Island group. No plant species are considered threatened, three species are significant at the regional level and 71 (38%) are locally and/or culturally significant. The dominant families (native species) are Fabaceae 12, Poaceae 9, Phyllanthaceae 8, Rubiaceae 7, and Celastraceae, Combretaceae, Cyperaceae, Malvaceae, and Moraceae each with four species. A review of available desktop resources identified 65 fauna species that have been reported for the island. This includes one frog, four reptile, 57 bird and three mammal species. This represents 17% of the 384 terrestrial fauna species that have been reported for the broader Torres Strait Island group. Of the animals reported for the island, one reptile, one bird and two mammal species are introduced. An additional two species have been identified by the Protected Matters Search Tool as possibly occurring on the island. Given its small size and ease of access, there has been a number of ecological studies carried out on Masig including avifauna (Draffan 1983), fauna (RPS 2010b), vegetation and flora (Stanton et al, 2009), and flora (collections dominated by Waterhouse for Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)). While it is amongst the most intensively surveyed islands in the broader Torres Strait Island group per unit area, both for fauna and flora, there remains almost no information on the biodiversity of the numerous smaller islands which form part of the broader Masig group. Within the four 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 are: Monitoring for the introduction and spread of a number of exotic species, both fauna and flora, throughout the island landscape. A requirement for further survey work to document aspects of the faunal assemblage on the island and adjacent uninhabited islands. Continued collection of floristic information, specifically those plants with cultural and biodiversity significance. Habitat Management Profile - Masig Island–November 2012 i Further survey and documentation of the complex and diverse cultural landscape on the island. Baseline vegetation mapping, flora and fauna surveys on the numerous smaller coral cay islands and islets which form part of the Masig group. It is important that any future surveys are undertaken in collaboration with the Masig people and include study of traditional ecological knowledge and ethnotaxonomy. Furthermore all mapping and assessment work must comply with Masig research protocols (to be finalised), must be approved by the Masigalgal (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation, and involve and be guided by the Masigalgal Rangers. Habitat Management Profile - Masig Island–November 2012 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 of the TSRA land team, who administered the project and provided valuable input throughout. 3D Environmental also wish to acknowledge all Elders and thank the Masigalgal (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation for their access to the land. Appreciation is also extended to the Masigalgal Rangers Francis Nai, Edna Nai and Loice Naawi, who together with the TSRA Ranger Supervisor Shaun Skerritt, and Goerge Saveka and Karen Evans of the Land team, provided information and support in the field. Initial fauna information and text provided for other Torres Strait Islands by Terry Reis was adapted for the purpose of this report and his provision of raw data and preparation of species profiles is greatly appreciated. Staff of the Queensland Herbarium assisted with identification of plant specimens and provided advice on the ecology and distribution of significant species. Barbara Waterhouse and Steven McKenna of the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry provided valuable information on the occurrence and distribution of weeds. Habitat Management Profile - Masig Island–November 2012 iii Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Cultural Setting ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Geographic Setting .................................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Geological Context .................................................................................................................. 2 2.0 Methods............................................................................................................................................3 3.0 Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................................................3 4.0 Legislative and Policy Considerations .........................................................................................4 5.0 Vegetation ........................................................................................................................................7 5.1 Vegetation Groups and Mapping ............................................................................................. 7 5.2 Flora Species ........................................................................................................................... 10 5.2.1 Flora Species with Conservation Significance ......................................................... 10 5.2.2 Flora with Cultural Significance ................................................................................ 13 5.2.3 Introduced Plants ...................................................................................................... 13 6.0 Fauna (Animals) ..............................................................................................................................20 6.1 Culturally Important Fauna Species ........................................................................................ 20 6.2 Fauna Habitat Values .............................................................................................................. 21 6.3 Fauna Species with Conservation Significance ...................................................................... 21 6.3.1 Endangered, Vulnerable and Near-Threatened Species ......................................... 22 6.3.2 Migratory species...................................................................................................... 25 6.3.3 Species of Regional Significance ............................................................................. 27 6.4 Pest Fauna Species ................................................................................................................ 27 6.5 Threats .................................................................................................................................. 27 6.6 Future work .............................................................................................................................. 28 7.0 Profiles for Masig Island Habitats .................................................................................................29 7.1 Deciduous/Semi- Deciduous Vine Forest and Vine Thicket .................................................... 29 7.1.1 Status of Ecological Knowledge ............................................................................... 29 7.1.2 Ecological / Cultural Considerations ......................................................................... 30 7.1.3 Management Considerations .................................................................................... 30 7.1.4 Summary of Recommended Management Actions .................................................. 31 7.2 Casuarina Dominant Woodland and Open Forest. ................................................................. 33 7.2.1 Status of Ecological Knowledge ............................................................................... 33 7.2.2 Ecological / Cultural Considerations ......................................................................... 34 7.2.3 Management Considerations ...................................................................................