Regional ecosystem details for 11.3.17
| Regional ecosystem | 11.3.17 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 35, 15, 37, 31, 29, 34, 13, (30), (33), (36), (20), (26), (32), (23), (24), (6.1), (19), (21), (28), (27), (6.3), (38) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 260000 ha; Remnant 2021 33000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus populnea woodland with Acacia harpophylla and/or Casuarina cristata on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus populnea woodland with Casuarina cristata and/or Acacia harpophylla clumps or scattered trees and a low tree layer dominated by Geijera parviflora. A shrub layer usually occurs, including Eremophila mitchellii, Geijera parviflora, Acacia melvillei (Darling Downs), Alectryon oleifolius and Acacia pendula. Localised areas may be dominated by Acacia harpophylla or other understorey species. A lower shrub layer commonly occurs. The ground layer is dominated by tussock grasses, including Bothriochloa decipiens, Aristida ramosa, Enteropogon acicularis and Paspalidium spp. with Chloris ventricosa, Eragrostis lacunaria, Aristida jerichoensis, Paspalidium constrictum, and Tripogon loliiformis on scalded areas. Occurs on back plains, levees and terraces formed on Quaternary alluvial deposits. Soils are generally deep texture contrast with thin sandy surfaces. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 25a). |
| Supplementary description | Galloway et al. (1974), LU 64; Neldner (1984), 22a, 22b; Fensham and Fairfax (1997), E. populnea shrubby woodland map unit 7. |
| Protected areas | Carnarvon NP, Culgoa Floodplain NP |
| Special values | 11.3.17: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Homopholis belsonii, Xerothamnella herbacea. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Various, avoiding hottest and driest time of the year. INTENSITY: Various. INTERVAL: 6-10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 6. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Burn less than 10% in any year. Burn in association with surrounding vegetation. Protection relies on broad-scale management of surrounding country with numerous small fires throughout the year so that wildfires will be very limited in extent. Fire exclusion is not necessary. ISSUES: Avoid fires at the hottest and/or driest time of the year, when the extent of fires cannot be controlled. Low intensity fires with good soil moisture will be useful in reducing fuel loads and fire spread in later fires. Moderate fires may assist in regeneration of hard-seeded spp. Brigalow is soft-seeded, so germination is not promoted by fire. Casuarina cristata is fire sensitive, although germination can be good in bare areas. Best protection from wildfires is probably the creation of a multi-aged mosaic and perimeter burning. Fire increases risk from invasion by buffel grass. These REs often make up shade lines in paddocks and are heavily grazed. |
| Comments | 11.3.17: Sometimes Acacia harpophylla and/or Casuarina cristata or other understorey Acacia species form small clumps. Where these clumps are > 5 ha they are defined as 11.3.1. This regional ecosystem is restricted to the southern part of bioregion. Extensively cleared or thinned for cropping and pasture. |
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.
