Regional ecosystem details for 11.3.2
| Regional ecosystem | 11.3.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Contains Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 26, 24, 11, 6, 13, 15, (7), (8), (16), (9), (20), (21), (32), (27), (31), (5), (10), (35), (29), (30), (25), (2), (36), (22), (33), (34), (37), (6.4), (18), (14), (12), (23), (4), (17), (4.4), (38), (28), (19), (3), (6.1), (9.4), (10.4), (6.2), (6.3), (13 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 1905000 ha; Remnant 2021 499000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus populnea woodland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus populnea woodland to open woodland. Occasionally, E. melanophloia or E. crebra may be present. A secondary tree layer may occur and include species such as Geijera parviflora, Eremophila mitchellii, Acacia salicina, Cassia brewsteri, and Acacia excelsa. The ground layer is dominated by a range of tussock grasses, including Chloris spp., Enteropogon spp., and Aristida spp. Occurs on Cainozoic alluvial plains with variable soil types including texture contrast, deep uniform clays, massive earths and sometimes cracking clays. Contains Palustrine. (BVG1M: 17a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.3.2a: Eucalyptus conica woodland. Occurs on Cainozoic alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17a). 11.3.2b: Eucalyptus camaldulensis (sometimes E. populnea and/or E. tereticornis) woodland in drainage depressions. Ground layer of grasses or sedges. Occurs on seasonally inundated drainage depressions. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 17a). 11.3.2c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation association is now mapped as RE 11.3.2. Eucalyptus populnea woodlands on floodplains. RE is defunct. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17a). |
| Supplementary description | Dawson (1972), 1, 3, 4, 5; Fensham (1998a); Fensham and Fairfax (1997); Galloway et al. (1974), LU62, LU64, LU68; Gunn et al. (1967), Alpha; Mullins (1980); Tavoy; Neldner (1984), 23b (48), 24 (41); Speck et al. (1968), Wooroonah; Story et al. (1967); Con |
| Protected areas | Carnarvon NP, Homevale NP, Expedition (Limited Depth) NP, Taunton NP (S), Dipperu NP (S), Chesterton Range NP, Homevale RR, Expedition NP, Expedition RR, Tregole NP, Nuga Nuga NP, Wondul Range NP, Blackdown Tableland NP, Isla Gorge NP, Belmah CP, Alton NP |
| Special values | 11.3.2: Habitat for threatened flora species Homopholis belsonii. This ecosystem is also known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). |
| 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 (shorter in north of bioregion: 2-7 years). INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Restrict to less than 30% in any year. Burn under conditions of good soil moisture and when plants are actively growing. Sometimes a small amount of wind may move the fire front quickly so that burn intensity is not too severe to destroy habitat trees. ISSUES: Burn interval for conservation purposes will differ from that for grazing purposes; the latter being much shorter. Management of this vegetation type should be based on maintaining vegetation composition, structural diversity, fauna habitats (in particular hollow-bearing trees and logs) and preventing extensive wildfire. Maintaining a fire mosaic will help ensure protection of habitat and mitigate against wildfires. Fire can control shrub invasives (e.g., Eremophila spp. and A. stenophylla in the red soil country in particular). Fire will also control cypress. Low to moderate intensity burns with good soil moisture are necessary to minimise loss of hollow trees. Avoid burning riparian communities as these can be critical habitat for some species. Culturally significant (scar) trees may need protection, such as rake removal of ground fuels. Planned burns have traditionally been carried out in the winter dry season; further research required. |
| Comments | 11.3.2: There are unmapped patches of low Acacia harpophylla (11.3.1) or grassland (11.3.21) associated with this regional ecosystem in some areas. This regional ecosystems may include small areas dominated by Acacia pendula (Neldner 1984, Association 41). Regional Ecosystem RE 11.3.2c has been amalgamated into this RE. Extensively cleared or modified by grazing. |
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.
