Regional ecosystem details for 10.3.13
| Regional ecosystem | 10.3.13 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Riverine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 3, 2, (4), (11.3), (1), (9.4), (11.7), (4.6), (4.5), (9.5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 69000 ha; Remnant 2021 64000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca fluviatilis and/or Eucalyptus camaldulensis woodland along watercourses |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus camaldulensis woodland to open forest, commonly with Melaleuca fluviatilis and/or Casuarina cunninghamiana and/or Melaleuca leucadendra, fringing channels of major watercourses. There is a lower tree layer commonly including Melaleuca fluviatilis, Casuarina cunninghamiana and Corymbia tessellaris. The shrublayer is sparse and mixed. The ground is commonly dominated by Arundinella nepalensis, Heteropogon contortus, Imperata cylindrica, Ipomoea polymorpha, Lomandra longifolia, Setaria surgens and Themeda avenacea. Occurs mostly as narrow bands along channels and on levees with sandy to clayey soils along larger watercourses. Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 10.3.13a: Eucalyptus camaldulensis woodland to open forest, commonly with Melaleuca fluviatilis and Casuarina cunninghamiana. Melaleuca leucadendra, Corymbia tessellaris, Lophostemon suaveolens, Corymbia clarksoniana, Corymbia leichhardtii and Corymbia plena are occasionally present in the canopy. A secondary tree layer, including Melaleuca fluviatilis, Casuarina cunninghamiana and Corymbia tessellaris, is usually present. A variable shrub layer is usually present. Tussock grass ground layer, commonly dominated by Arundinella nepalensis, Heteropogon contortus, Imperata cylindrica, Ipomoea polymorpha, Lomandra longifolia, Setaria surgens and Themeda avenacea. Occurs fringing major watercourses in sandy landscapes. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 10.3.13b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.3.13a. Melaleuca fluviatilis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis woodland to open forest. Usually occurs in narrow strips along major streams. Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). 10.3.13l: Waterholes in water courses. Occurs along watercourses. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16d). |
| Supplementary description | Thompson and Turpin (in prep), E68, M11a |
| Protected areas | White Mountains NP, Cudmore (Limited Depth) NP, White Mountains RR, Cudmore RR |
| Special values | 10.3.13: High habitat values for nesting, seasonal nectar supplies, and faunal corridor. Predominant habitat of vulnerable species Livistona lanuginosa. This ecosystem has high habitat values for nesting and seasonal nectar supplies. As for other riparian zones, this ecosystem has important values for stabilising stream banks and top soils, providing corridors for wildlife, and for trapping soil and maintaining water quality. 10.3.13a: The vulnerable plant species, Livistona lanuginosa occasionally occurs as a dominant understorey tree along the Cape River downstream from Amelia Creek and along Amelia Creek. Undescribed endemic species Tephrosia sp. (Lake Buchanan E.J.Thompson+ BUC2128) has been recorded in this ecosystem. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Do not target for burning. INTENSITY: Do not target for burning. INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not target for burning. Most of the vegetation communities will be difficult to burn. Important habitat for wildlife. Most species are fire sensitive. Burning in adjacent fire adapted communities will reduce risk of wildfire incursion. Ensure fire encroachment is limited. Burns in adjacent vegetation, implemented in late wet to early dry season, may limit fire incursion into sensitive vegetation. ISSUES: Fire exclusion or very low fire frequency will help maintain habitat trees. Melaleucas are fire-adapted, but too high an intensity or frequent fire will slow or prevent regeneration. Fire may occasionally trickle into these ecosystems when there is sufficient ground fuel, but intensity, frequency and extent should be kept low. |
| Comments | 10.3.13: Subject to degradation by weed invasion, including *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine), and degradation by high total grazing pressure. Pigs are attracted to these areas causing major soil disturbance, fouling of water holes, and destroying wildlife and habitat. 10.3.13a: Naturalised species associated with this regional ecosystem include Cryptostegia grandiflora, Cynodon dactylon and Melinis repens, which are commonly present. 10.3.13b: Mostly occurs in subregion 3 with ecosystem 10.3.13a and has similar floristic composition. Commonly infested with Cryptostegia grandiflora. Naturalised species associated with this regional ecosystem include *Cynodon dactylon, which is often a dominant graminoid in the ground layer. |
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.
