Regional ecosystem details for 11.3.19
| Regional ecosystem | 11.3.19 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 35, 26, 37, 24, (36), (33), (29), (15), (6.1), (25), (18), (34), (4.4), (30), (6.4), (20), (13), (27), (11), (22), (28), (6.2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 226000 ha; Remnant 2021 86000 ha |
| Short description | Callitris glaucophylla, Corymbia spp. and/or Eucalyptus melanophloia woodland on Cainozoic alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Callitris glaucophylla woodland usually with codominant eucalypts including Corymbia tessellaris, C. clarksoniana that form a well-defined but discontinuous open forest to woodland canopy. Other trees such as Eucalyptus melanophloia, Angophora melanoxylon or E. populnea may also occur as an emergent tree layer. Scattered tall shrubs, such as Acacia excelsa, Alstonia constricta and Callitris glaucophylla are often present. The ground layer is sparse to dense, depending on the tree density, and is dominated by grasses. Common grasses include Heteropogon contortus, Eriachne helmsii, Aristida holathera var. holathera, Aristida calycina var. praealta and Perotis rara. The forb diversity is relatively low but may become seasonally prominent. Occurs on rises associated with the levees and higher alluvial plains and terraces of major river systems. The soils are deep to very deep, earthy sands and associated sandy-surfaced texture contrast soils and siliceous sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 20a). |
| Supplementary description | Galloway et al. (1974), LU60, LU61; Neldner (1984), 11a (64), 11c, 19c (46) |
| Protected areas | Carnarvon NP |
| Special values | 11.3.19: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Fimbristylis vagans, Vittadinia decora. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late wet to early dry season when there is good soil moisture. Early storm season or after good spring rains. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: 6-10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 6. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Burn less than 10-30% in any year to achieve a mosaic. Burn under conditions of good soil moisture and when plants are actively growing. 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. ISSUES: Cypress is killed by fire and regenerates from canopy stored seed (obligate seeder). It reaches reproductive age at about 6 years. Fire frequency less than 6-8 years will reduce cypress, but long fire interval will lead to cypress dominance and eucalypt suppression. Fuel reduction burns will help restrict incursions by high intensity wildfires that kill cypress. Fire after good spring rain has the potential to burn severely if there is no follow-up rain and re-lights occur. |
| Comments | 11.3.19: Annual grasses may become prominent in the ground layer under heavy total grazing pressure. |
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.
