Regional ecosystem details for 10.7.7
| Regional ecosystem | 10.7.7 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 4, (1), (3), (11.26) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 36000 ha; Remnant 2021 35000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca tamariscina open shrubland to low woodland on stripped lateritic soils |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Melaleuca tamariscina open shrubland to low woodland. A mix of other species also occur in the canopy including: Corymbia setosa, Petalostigma banksii, Eucalyptus ammophila, Acacia leptostachya, Melaleuca uncinata and Calytrix microcoma. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia spp. Small areas of Eucalyptus bakeri low open forest with Cleistochloa subjuncea and Triodia spp. also occur in this regional ecosystem. Occurs on stripped lateritic soils often on margins of Tertiary plateaus. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 10.7.7a: Melaleuca tamariscina open shrubland to low woodland. A mix of other species also occur in the canopy including: Corymbia setosa, Petalostigma banksii, Eucalyptus ammophila, Acacia leptostachya, Melaleuca uncinata and Calytrix microcoma. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia spp. Occurs on stripped lateritic soils often on margins of Tertiary plateaus. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). 10.7.7b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.7.7a. Melaleuca tamariscina dominates the very sparse canopy. Petalostigma banksii is often present in the canopy and sometimes codominant and rarely dominant. Triodia spp. Usually dominate the very sparse to sparse ground layer. Occurs on stripped lateritic soils often on margins of Tertiary plateaus. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). 10.7.7c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.7.7a. Acacia julifera dominates the sparse mid-dense shrubby canopy. Corymbia lamprophylla or C. leichhardtii are occasionally present as emergent trees. Triodia spp. Or Cleistochloa subjuncea are often present and sometimes dominant in the very sparse to sparse ground layer. Occurs on ferricrete. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). 10.7.7d: Eucalyptus bakeri open scrub to low open forest. The ground layer is dominated by Cleistochloa subjuncea and Triodia spp. Occurs on lateritised plateau margins. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 12a). |
| Protected areas | White Mountains NP, Cudmore RR, Cudmore (Limited Depth) NP, White Mountains RR |
| Special values | 10.7.7: Habitat for vulnerable plant species Micromyrtus rotundifolia. Hakea purpurea occurs near its northern limit in Queensland in this ecosystem. Desert Uplands endemic species Calytrix microcoma occurs in this ecosystem. |
| 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: 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: Grazing can impact heavily and combined with low rainfall fuel loads will be low making burning difficult. Can be advantageous to burn in year following good rains to manage currant bush and false sandalwood. |
| Comments | 10.7.7: This regional ecosystem was listed in Sattler and Williams (1999) as 10.5.6. Threatening processes include inappropriate fire regimes, cattle grazing, clearing. The soils are shallow with low water holding capacity, low fertility and high salinity. The nature of the soils and the very sparse ground cover of plants renders this ecosystem highly susceptible to erosion. Plant growth is seasonal and pasture productivity is low. There are few palatable species and their cover is very sparse. Potential threats to this ecosystem are mainly from inappropriate fire regimes, cattle grazing and clearing. 10.7.7b: An uncommon minor component of this regional ecosystem is dominated by M. pallescens which has similarities to sub-unit 2 of 10.7.8b. One of the main habitats for Leptosema chapmanii. Widespread vegetation community in subregion 2. 10.7.7c: Uncommon vegetation community found mostly in the north of subregion 2 and also some in the east of subregion 3. Sometimes occurs as small unmappable areas at 1:100 000 scale, for example in the White Mountains National Park. 10.7.7d: Rare vegetation community known from only a few locations in the Desert Uplands. Of biogeographical interest is the disjunct and most northerly known population of Eucalyptus bakeri which occurs in 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.
