Cape York Peninsula (CYP)

RegionSize(km2): 122,565

States: Queensland (QLD)

Climate Zone(s):

Eco Region: AA0703

Complex geology dominated by the Torres Strait Volcanics in the north, the metamorphic rocks and acid intrusive rocks of various ages of the Coen-Yambo Inlier which runs north- south along the eastern margin of the region and encompasses the high-altitude/high-rainfall areas of Iron Range and McIlwraith Range. The deeply dissected sandstone plateaus and ranges of the Battle Camp Sandstones lie in the south of the region adjacent to the undulating Laura Lowlands composed of residual weathered sands and flat plains of colluvial and alluvial clays, silts and sands. The west of the region is dominated in the south by the extensive Tertiary sand sheet dissected by intricate drainage systems of the Holroyd Plain, the Tertiary laterite of the undulating Weipa Plateau, the low rises of Mesozoic sandstones, with the northern extension of the Weipa Plateau and extensive coastal plains adjoining the Gulf of Carpentaria. Extensive aeolian dunefields lie in the east associated with Cape Bedford/Cape Flattery in the south and the Olive and Jardine Rivers. The vegetation is predominantly Eucalyptus tetrodonta and Corymbia tessellaris/C. clarksoniana woodlands, Melaleuca viridiflora woodlands, heathlands and sedgelands, notophyll vine forests, with

semi-deciduous mesophyll vine forests on the eastern ranges and deciduous vine thickets on drier western slopes. Extensive mangrove forests are found in Kennedy Inlet in the north east of the region and estuaries on both the west and east coasts. Tropical humid/maritime climate, with rainfall varying from 1000 mm to 1600 mm .

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Cape York Peninsula (CYP) Bio Regions

Find local resources, species and area information for the Cape York Peninsula (CYP) Bio Regions

Coen Yambo Inlier (CYP01)

Starke Coastal Lowlands (CYP02)

Cape York and Torres Strait (CYP03)

Jardine Pascoe Sandstones (CYP04)

Battle Camp Sandstones (CYP05)

Laura Lowlands (CYP06)

Weipa Plateau (CYP07)

Northern Holroyd Plain (CYP08)

Coastal Plains (CYP09)

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References