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Serpentine
is a rock formed where there is intense tectonic movement
of the earth’s crust, generally along major fault lines.
Outcrops of serpentine rock and soils are not common
world wide. Central Queensland contains 63.8% of the serpentine located
in Queensland.
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In the old Livingstone Shire area it surfaces in areas
of variable size at Balnagowan, Keppel Sands, Cawarral, Milman,
Glen Geddes, Marlborough and South Percy Island.
Ten woody species are unique to the serpentine in this
shire as opposed to only two species to the north and south.
- The
serpentine soils have elevated levels of magnesium, iron, nickel,
cobalt and chromium which makes it toxic to many plants.
The vegetation which has adapted to these soils exhibits
many unusual and unique features.
- Serpentine
vegetation is described as Eucalypt woodland or open forest
dominated by Ironbarks and Bloodwoods over a grassy ground layer
containing many grass trees.
Some
species found only on serpentine in Livingstone Shire are as
per the table below
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Corymbia
Xanthope |
serpentine
bloodwood |
nationally
vulnerable |
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Pimelia
leptospermoides |
small
shrub with white flowers |
nationally
vulnerable |
Stackhousia
tryonii
photos below |
low
growing purple flower, with slender stem and leaves
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nationally
rare |
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Stackhousia
accumulates more nickel in its leaves than any
other plant in Australia
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Eucalyptus
fibrosa sub sp Glen
Geddes serpentine ironbark |
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Neorepera
buxifolia |
(in
small area of Marlborough) |
nationally
vulnerable |
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Callistemon
species with huge trunk (Marlborough) |
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These
Marlborough species appear to grow on alluvial soil high
in magnesium. |
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Also notable
for their presence are grass trees and cycads, particularly cycas
ophiolitica.
The serpentine geology within Livingstone Shire gives rise to a
unique community of plants and animals.
There is a general lack of understanding of the threatened
ecosystem, its biological species and its different soil properties.
In the past many areas have been cleared for a variety of
reasons. In some parts
it has been adversely affected by excessive fire.
Because of the possibility of increased impact due to population
expansion and infrastructure development it is important to increase
awareness and recognition of this vulnerable and beautiful ecosystem
and its values. |
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