Regional ecosystem details for 10.7.5
| Regional ecosystem | 10.7.5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 2, 4, (1), (3), (11.24), (4.5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 30000 ha; Remnant 2021 26000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus thozetiana woodland on laterite |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus thozetiana woodland to open forest, occasionally with Eucalyptus cambageana. A secondary tree layer dominated by Eucalyptus thozetiana is usually present. A shrub layer, dominated by Eremophila mitchellii, Eremophila deserti and Carissa lanceolata, is usually present. The ground layer is dominated by tussock grasses and/or Triodia pungens. Occurs on laterite. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 12a). |
| Supplementary description | Gunn et al. (1967), Ti; Lorimer (1998), Qa5; Thompson and Turpin (in prep), E24 |
| Protected areas | Cudmore (Limited Depth) NP, Cudmore RR, Moorrinya NP |
| 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 | 10.7.5: Mainly subregion 2. Subject to scalding due to high total grazing pressures and high salinities with >70% moderately to severely degraded resulting in loss of ground cover and top-soil. The soils are shallow with low water holding capacity, low fertility and high salinity. The nature of the soils, often steep slopes 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. |
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.
