Regional ecosystem details for 10.10.5
| Regional ecosystem | 10.10.5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 4, (3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 62000 ha; Remnant 2021 62000 ha |
| Short description | Corymbia trachyphloia, Eucalyptus mediocris, Corymbia lamprophylla, Corymbia leichhardtii in mixed woodlands on sandstone ranges |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Mixed woodland, including combinations of the species Corymbia trachyphloia, Eucalyptus mediocris, C. lamprophylla, C. leichhardtii and Lophostemon suaveolens. The shrub layer is variable in density and species composition with Acacia spp. and Grevillea spp. prominent. The ground layer is dominated by Cleistochloa subjuncea and Triodia spp. Occurs on sandstone ranges with skeletal soils and exposed rock. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 12a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 10.10.5a: Mixed woodland, including combinations of the species Corymbia trachyphloia, Eucalyptus mediocris, C. lamprophylla, C. leichhardtii and Lophostemon suaveolens. The shrub layer is variable in density and species composition with Acacia spp. and Grevillea spp. prominent. The ground layer is dominated by Cleistochloa subjuncea and Triodia spp. Occurs on sandstone ranges with skeletal soils and exposed rock. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 12a). 10.10.5b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.10.5a. Eucalyptus mediocris and Corymbia trachyphloia dominate the very sparse tree layer. Corymbia trachyphloia dominates the very sparse to sparse canopy. Eucalyptus mediocris is usually a codominant in the canopy. A very sparse to sparse shrub layer is present. There is a very sparse ground layer. Occurs on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 12a). 10.10.5c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.10.5a. Corymbia lamprophylla dominates the very sparse canopy. A very sparse to sparse shrub layer is present. Triodia mitchellii usually dominates the usually sparse ground layer. Occurs on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 12a). 10.10.5d: Corymbia trachyphloia and Eucalyptus exserta mallee shrubland with emergent Lysicarpus angustifolius. Second shrub layer of Acacia julifera, Acacia faucium and Acacia simsii. Ground layer dominated by Scleria sp., Triodia sp. and Cleistochloa subjuncea. Occurs on exposed rock and skeletal soils on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 12a). 10.10.5e: Lophostemon suaveolens dominates the very sparse tree layer. Corymbia leichhardtii, Eucalyptus exilipes, E. mediocris and Angophora costata frequently occur in the canopy. A tall shrub layer is present. Cleistochloa subjuncea and Paspalidium spartellum frequently occur as dominants in the very sparse to mid-dense ground layer. Occurs on valley floors of rocky hills with shallow sandy to skeletal soils on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 12a). |
| Supplementary description | Bean (1992), Ws; |
| Protected areas | White Mountains NP, Cudmore (Limited Depth) NP, White Mountains RR, Cudmore RR |
| Special values | 10.10.5: Potential habitat for the vulnerable plant species Kardomia squarrulosa and near threatened plant species including Acacia spania. A disjunct population of Zieria tenuis occurs in this ecosystem in the White Mountains. 10.10.5c: The near threatened species, Acacia spania recorded at a single location in this vegetation community. Potential habitat for the vulnerable species Kardomia squarrulosa. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Wet to mid-dry season while soil retains moisture. INTENSITY: Low to occasional moderate. INTERVAL: Interval will depend on need for burning, seasonal conditions and grazing pressure. Approximately 5-10 years. Do not burn during drought years. Concentrate burning during wet years. INTERVAL_MIN: 5. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Due to the typically sparse nature of the spinifex in these ecosystems, there is rarely enough fuel load to burn. Patchy burns are preferred. Mosaic 50-80% of area targeted. Burn under conditions of good soil moisture and when plants are actively growing. Burns during dry periods may leave areas of soil exposed, leading to erosion. ISSUES: Spinifex responds to low intensity burning following the first summer rains. De-stock burnt spinifex areas for many months in good seasons or several growing seasons in a run of dry years. |
| Comments | 10.10.5: Mainly occurs in subregion 2. The soils are shallow with low water holding capacity and low fertility. The nature of the soils and the very sparse ground cover of plants renders this ecosystem highly susceptible to erosion. Degradation in the form of soil disturbance or reduction of ground cover will be difficult to reverse and therefore tree-clearing should not occur. Plant growth is seasonal and pasture productivity is low. There are few palatable species and their cover is very sparse. It is recommended that grazing be controlled by fencing out areas of land zone 10. Fire management requires consideration of the effect of the expected slow recovery rate of plant cover and the sensitivity to burning of species such as lancewood. Potential threat is mainly wildfire. 10.10.5a: Occurs mostly along the Great Dividing Range from north to south in subregion 2. 10.10.5b: Occurs in northern parts of subregion 2 mostly in the White Mountains National Park. 10.10.5c: Recorded in southern parts of subregion 2. Further survey required to determine full extent of this vegetation community which occurs in generally inaccessible terrain. 10.10.5d: Occurs in White Mountains NP. 10.10.5e: Uncommon vegetation community only known from the White Mountains National Park. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13 pre-clearing and 2021 remnant regional ecosystem mapping. Figures are rounded for simplicity. For more precise estimates, including breakdowns by tenure and other themes see remnant vegetation in Queensland.
2 Superseded: Revision of the regional ecosystem classification removed this regional ecosystem code from use. It is included in the regional ecosystem description database because the RE code may appear in older versions of RE mapping and the Vegetation Management regulation.
