Intertidal and subtidal ecosystem types of Central Queensland

Purpose and uses of intertidal and subtidal ecosystem descriptions

Intertidal and subtidal seascape level ecosystem descriptions were devised to provide a better understanding of the biological, physical and chemical attributes (factors) that are determining the nature and extent of the seascape scale ecosystems of Central Queensland. The type descriptions can be used in many ways, as are their land-based equivalents, Regional Ecosystems.

The descriptions:

• can be used to identify an ecosystem in the field and to recognise biological, physical and chemical components (attributes) determining its nature and extent
• provide a framework on which to create conceptual or dynamic models of the processes which have originated them
• are also companions to their mapped extent in WetlandMaps, providing detail to better understand the representation of the mapped ecosystem types.

The ecosystem types and associated mapping is non-statutory and available for a variety of uses. These include:

• gaining an understanding of their value as fish habitat
• understanding their representation in protected area management
• marine park use designations
• planning and assessment
• informing management of ports, local government areas, internationally significant areas such as Ramsar (Great Sandy Strait) and World Heritage Areas (Fraser Island and the Great Barrier Reef).

How were the ecosystem types devised?

The ecosystem types were devised by expert panels of scientists, managers, consultants and those with local knowledge of the intertidal and subtidal ecosystems of Central Queensland, guided by the Queensland Intertidal and Subtidal Ecosystem Classification scheme (detailed in Module 1 - Part 2). Initially the panels determined the scale and purpose of the classification, that is, a seascape classification for general management purposes. At the attribute classification stage they selected the attributes that best described the nature and extent of Central Queensland intertidal and subtidal ecosystems. At the typology stage they combined the attributes and their categories into a hierarchy of ecosystem types. These are the types detailed below, and mapped on WetlandMaps. For further detail see the Classification and Mapping Method Factsheet.

How are the ecosystem types described?

Descriptions are grouped by their major diagnostic attributes, and are pull-downs that can be opened and closed.

• Intertidal or Subtidal (inundation). The first attribute that determines ecosystem types is Inundation i.e. whether they are periodically tidally inundated (intertidal), or always submerged (subtidal).
• Hard (consolidated/intermediate) or Soft (unconsolidated) substrate. The next diagnostic attribute is Consolidation i.e. whether the ecosystem is on a hard (consolidated) substrate for the potential attachment of biota, or soft (unconsolidated) substrate.
• Biota present or biota unsurveyed/unknown. Animals and plants that create three-dimensional structure that provides a living space for other biota are known as structural macrobiota. The third diagnostic attribute is Structural Macrobiota Composition (structural macrobiota). Presence or absence of structural macrobiota is based on the extent of known biotic surveys, so its apparent absence may be due to a lack of survey rather than actual absence.

The other diagnostic attributes for particular ecosystem types (Benthic depth, Sediment texture, Substrate composition, Energy magnitude and Terrain morphology) are detailed in their relevant type descriptions.

Explore and search ecosystem types

Use the search box and collapsible categories below to explore the ecosystem type descriptions:

Displaying * of * ecosystem types

• Intertidal
  • Biota confirmed
    • Consolidated
      • Title: Intertidal molluscs on consolidated substrate (116)
    • Unconsolidated
      • Title: Succulent with herb (3)
      • Title: Sedge (4)
      • Title: Grass (2)
      • Title: Bare areas above MSL (17)
      • Title: Grass herb sedge undifferentiated (1)
      • Title: Ceriops-dominated mangroves (6)
      • Title: Rhizophora-dominated mangroves (7)
      • Title: Avicennia-dominated mangroves (8)
      • Title: Mixed mangroves (9)
      • Title: Mangroves undifferentiated (5)
      • Title: Other trees and shrubs (10)
      • Title: Intertidal ovoid seagrass (11)
      • Title: Intertidal wide strap seagrass (12)
      • Title: Intertidal narrow strap seagrass (13)
      • Title: Intertidal unspecified width strap seagrass (14)
      • Title: Intertidal other seagrass (15)
      • Title: Intertidal molluscs on unconsolidated or unknown substrate (20)
    • Consolidation unassigned
      • Title: Intertidal coral (21)
      • Title: Intertidal algae (16)
      • Title: Other habitat-forming intertidal biota (22)
  • Biota unsurveyed/absent
    • Consolidated
      • Title: Intertidal high energy over consolidated substrate (23)
      • Title: Intertidal high energy over intermediate substrate (25)
      • Title: Intertidal low energy over consolidated substrate (24)
      • Title: Intertidal low energy over intermediate substrate (26)
    • Unconsolidated
      • Title: Intertidal high energy over boulders (34)
      • Title: Intertidal low energy over boulders (35)
      • Title: Intertidal unknown energy over boulders (39)
      • Title: Intertidal high energy over gravel (32)
      • Title: Intertidal low energy over gravel (33)
      • Title: Intertidal unknown energy over gravel (37)
      • Title: Intertidal high energy over mud below mean sea level (28)
      • Title: Intertidal low energy over mud below mean sea level (29)
      • Title: Intertidal substrate below HAT with indeterminate tidal influence (119)
      • Title: Intertidal mud above mean sea level (27)
      • Title: Intertidal high energy over sand (30)
      • Title: Intertidal low energy over sand (31)
      • Title: Intertidal unknown energy over mud (38)
      • Title: Intertidal unknown energy over sand (36)
      • Title: Intertidal high energy over unconsolidated substrate of unknown texture (40)
      • Title: Intertidal low energy over unconsolidated substrate of unknown texture (41)
    • Consolidation assigned
      • Title: Intertidal substrate of unknown consolidation outside channel (42)
      • Title: Intertidal substrate of unknown consolidation inside channel (43)
• Subtidal
  • Biota confirmed
    • Consolidated
      • Title: Hard branching coral on consolidated substrate in shallow to deep water (74)
      • Title: Hard branching coral on consolidated substrate in very deep water (76)
      • Title: Hard non-branching coral on consolidated substrate in shallow to deep water (82)
      • Title: Hard non-branching coral on consolidated substrate in very deep water (84)
      • Title: Hard undifferentiated coral on consolidated substrate in shallow to deep water (66)
      • Title: Hard undifferentiated coral on consolidated substrate in very deep water (68)
      • Title: Undifferentiated coral on consolidated substrate in shallow to deep water (90)
      • Title: Undifferentiated coral on consolidated substrate in very deep water (91)
      • Title: Soft corals and other octocorallians on consolidated substrate (99)
      • Title: Subtidal oysters on consolidated substrate (118)
    • Unconsolidated
      • Title: Hard branching coral on unconsolidated substrate in shallow to deep water (78)
      • Title: Hard branching coral on unconsolidated substrate in very deep (80)
      • Title: Hard non-branching coral on unconsolidated substrate in shallow to deep water (86)
      • Title: Hard non-branching coral on unconsolidated substrate in very deep water (88)
      • Title: Hard undifferentiated coral on unconsolidated substrate in shallow to deep water (70)
      • Title: Hard undifferentiated coral on unconsolidated substrate in very deep water (72)
      • Title: Undifferentiated coral on unconsolidated substrate in shallow to deep water (94)
      • Title: Undifferentiated coral on unconsolidated substrate in very deep water (95)
      • Title: Reefal gardens on unconsolidated substrate (98)
      • Title: Subtidal wide strap seagrass (48)
      • Title: Subtidal narrow strap seagrass (49)
      • Title: Subtidal unspecified width strap seagrass (47)
      • Title: Subtidal cylindrical seagrass (51)
      • Title: Subtidal fern-like seagrass (50)
      • Title: Ovoid seagrass in shallow water (45)
      • Title: Ovoid seagrass in deep water (46)
      • Title: Other seagrass in shallow water (52)
      • Title: Other seagrass in deep water (53)
      • Title: Scallop beds (63)
      • Title: Subtidal oysters on unconsolidated or intermediate substrate (64)
      • Title: Subtidal molluscs on unconsolidated or intermediate substrate (65)
    • Consolidation unassigned
      • Title: Other subtidal habitat forming biota (62)
      • Title: Erect calcareous algae (54)
      • Title: Erect non-calcareous algae (55)
      • Title: Encrusting algae (58)
      • Title: Turf algae (59)
      • Title: Other algae (61)
      • Title: Octocorallians in very deep water (117)
  • Biota unsurveyed/absent
    • Consolidated
      • Title: Calcareous consolidated or intermediate substrate (100)
      • Title: Non-calcareous consolidated or intermediate substrate (101)
    • Unconsolidated
      • Title: Boulders (108)
      • Title: High energy over gravel (106)
      • Title: Low energy over gravel (107)
      • Title: High energy over mud (102)
      • Title: Low energy over mud (103)
      • Title: High energy over sand (104)
      • Title: Low energy over sand (105)
      • Title: Other unconsolidated or intermediate substrate (109)
      • Title: High energy over unknown substrate in shallow to deep water (110)
      • Title: Low energy over unknown substrate in shallow to deep water (111)
      • Title: High energy over unknown substrate in very deep water (112)
      • Title: Low energy over unknown substrate in very deep water (113)

Quick links

• Queensland Intertidal and Subtidal Ecosystem Classification Scheme
• Intertidal and subtidal mapping background
• Intertidal and subtidal mapping FAQs (including field names and alias)
• Module 1 - Introduction and implementation of intertidal and subtidal ecosystem classification
• Module 2 - Literature review of intertidal and subtidal classification frameworks and systems
• Module 3 - Attributes and qualifiers (web pages)
• Module 4 - A method for providing baseline mapping of intertidal and subtidal ecosystems in Queensland
• Fact sheet: The Queensland Intertidal and Subtidal Ecosystem Classification Scheme
• Fact sheet: Intertidal and Subtidal Habitat Mapping and Conservation Values Assessment for Central Queensland State Waters
• Fact sheet: A Method for Classifying and Mapping Intertidal and Subtidal Ecosystems in Central Queensland
• Intertidal and Subtidal Ecology (Estuarine and Marine)
• Baffle to Fitzroy coast intertidal and subtidal common conservation assessment (CCA)
• WetlandMaps (interactive mapping)
• Field Guide to common saltmarsh plants of Queensland

Last updated: 29 May 2019