Regional ecosystem details for 11.4.12
| Regional ecosystem | 11.4.12 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Endangered |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 30, 34, 31, 29, 33, 32, 26, (15), (27), (6.2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 70000 ha; Remnant 2021 7000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus populnea woodland on Cainozoic clay plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus populnea woodland. Scattered other Eucalyptus spp. may occur. Scattered trees such as Callitris glaucophylla and Acacia excelsa may occur and occasionally form a secondary tree layer. A tall shrub layer of Eremophila mitchellii, Acacia pendula and Geijera parviflora commonly occurs. A low shrub layer may occur, particularly on upper slopes. The ground layer is typically perennial grasses, including Aristida spp. and Eragrostis spp., and forbs are conspicuous. Occurs on eroding edge of Tertiary clay plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.4.12a: Acacia maranoensis +/- Eucalyptus populnea woodland. Occurs on eroding edge of Tertiary clay plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17a). |
| Supplementary description | Dawson (1972), 13; Neldner (1984), 23b |
| Special values | 11.4.12: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Rutidosis lanata. |
| 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: 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 | 11.4.12: Extensively cleared for pasture or modified by 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.
