Regional ecosystem details for 11.4.13
| Regional ecosystem | 11.4.13 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 6, 11, (12) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 23000 ha; Remnant 2021 11000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus orgadophila open woodland on Cainozoic clay plains |
| Structure code | Open Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus orgadophila open woodland. Other canopy species include Corymbia dallachiana and C. erythrophloia. Scattered shrubs and low trees may occur, including Alectryon diversifolius, Vachellia bidwillii, Cassia brewsteri and Atalaya hemiglauca. The ground layer is dominated by tussock grasses, including Dichanthium sericeum, Bothriochloa ewartiana, Heteropogon contortus, Panicum queenslandicum and Themeda triandra. Occurs on Cainozoic clay plains. The soils associated with this regional ecosystem are often derived from weathered basalt. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 11a). |
| Supplementary description | Burgess (2003) (VA19), Carfax |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Early dry season when there is good soil moisture, with some later fires in the early storm season or after good spring rains. INTENSITY: Primarily low to moderate, with occasional high intensity fires. INTERVAL: Typically 2 - 7 years, with some areas longer unburnt. INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 7. STRATEGY: A predominance of early dry season fires is recommended, although there is value in occasional late dry season fires, or storm burns, over small areas. Burning should begin very soon after the wet season, to secure boundaries and adjacent fire-sensitive vegetation. Subsequent repeat ignitions can be used within the same section of land weeks or months after the boundaries have been secured by early burning, to produce a mixture of burnt areas with multiple ignition dates. Use topographical features to ignite areas as soon as they dry out. This will create a mosaic of areas that were burnt at different dates and unburnt sections within the same area of woodland. Burn away from riparian communities, which can be critical habitat for some species. Approximately 25% of the grassy woodlands within a landscape should receive patchy fires in most years. ISSUES: These woodlands have a diverse native grass and herb layer that is maintained and promoted by regular fire. Burning that starts immediately after the wet season, with follow up small fires ignited progressively over multiple dates can increase the availability of grass and herb seed, which is a critical food source for many birds and small mammals. Recently burnt grass clumps tend to produce more seed than unburnt clumps and the earlier burnt grass usually seeds earlier than later burnt grass. Maintaining a fire mosaic will help ensure protection of habitat and mitigate against wildfires. Low to moderate intensity burns with good soil moisture minimise the risk of losing hollow trees. An occasional late season burn will promote grasses and legumes. Ensure a diverse grass layer; maintain hollow-bearing trees and vegetation structure. |
| Comments | 11.4.13: This unit may sometimes show surface soils with linear gilgai, a feature seen on related basaltic ecosystems (Burgess 2003). The ground layer invaded by exotic weed species such as *Cenchrus ciliaris and *Parthenium hysterophorus. |
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.
