Regional ecosystem details for 11.3.31
| Regional ecosystem | 11.3.31 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 1, 2, (6), (14) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 43000 ha; Remnant 2021 17000 ha |
| Short description | Ophiuros exaltatus, Dichanthium spp. grassland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Ophiuros exaltatus and/or Dichanthium spp. tussock grassland. The ground layer has a variable composition, with drier areas dominated by Ophiuros exaltatus, Iseilema membranaceum or Dichanthium spp. or Brachyachne tenella. Other common and sometimes dominant grasses include Themeda triandra, Heteropogon contortus, Eulalia aurea, Imperata cylindrica, Eriochloa pseudoacrotricha, Bothriochloa spp., Panicum decompositum and Sporobolus spp. Other species include Neptunia spp., Rhynchosia minima, Crotalaria spp., Euphorbia spp., Aristida latifolia, Sida spp. and Desmodium spp. Trees such as Eucalyptus platyphylla, Grevillea striata, Corymbia dallachiana or C. erythrophloia may occur as emergent isolated trees or tall shrubs. Occurs on older floodplain complexes on Cainozoic alluvial plains. Black or dark grey earths or brown clays, in some areas with strong gilgai or debil debil microrelief. Often with self-mulching surface, and alkaline subsoil. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.3.31a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as RE 11.3.31. Palustrine wetlands. Often dominated by Marsilea drummondii, Cyperus spp. and Ludwigia perennis, along with grasses such as Leersia hexandra, Elytrophorus spicatus and Oryza spp. Occurs in gilgai and other depressions. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34f). |
| Supplementary description | Christian et al. (1953), Northcote, Rocky Ponds, Woontonvale, Kyburra; Kutt and Kemp (1998); Donnollan et al. (1990), Land Unit 3; Cumming (2000), 30. |
| Protected areas | Townsville Town Common CP, Bowling Green Bay NP |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late wet to early dry season when there is good soil moisture. Implement storm burning when there is sufficient fuel. INTERVAL: 2 - 5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Begin burning soon after the wet season so that fires will carry only a small distance. Patchy burns are preferred. Burn less than 30% in any year. Burn under conditions of good soil moisture and when plants are actively growing. Where woody thickening is an issue, implement burns soon after high rainfall events, before woody seedlings become established. ISSUES: Patchy burning within grasslands provides an appropriate mix of fresh and older tussocks and regenerates associated herbs. Fire can be used to control weed invasions, although there are also risks of promoting weeds. Encroachment of woody-stemmed plants (Acacia/Atalaya) through over-grazing and lack of burning may be a problem. Ensure open grassland plains are maintained. Create a patchily burnt landscape. |
| Comments | 11.3.31: Species variability within this RE may reflect seasonal rainfall patterns, as identified for other grassland communities in Queensland. There is also high variability due to local drainage conditions. Small areas within this regional ecosystem, such as depressions with gilgai, may form wetlands dominated by Marsilea drummondii, Cyperus spp. and Ludwigia perennis may occur, along with grasses such as Leersia hexandra, Elytrophorus spicatus and Oryza spp. These are mapped as 11.3.27x1 where large enough. Extensively cleared for cropping or modified by total grazing pressure. Subject to weed invasion by *Bothriochloa pertusa (Indian couch), *Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass), *Acacia nilotica (prickly acacia), *Parkinsonia aculeata (parkinsonia) and *Ziziphus mauritiana (chinee apple). 11.3.31a: Larger areas are classified as 11.3.27x1a. Generally a palustrine wetland although also some areas have been converted to lacustrine water bodies associated with the construction of bunding and levees. |
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.
