Regional ecosystem details for 11.5.17
| Regional ecosystem | 11.5.17 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Endangered |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 16, 11, 18, (19), (7), (10) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 5000 ha; Remnant 2021 1000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus tereticornis woodland in depressions on Cainozoic sand plains and remnant surfaces |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus tereticornis +/- Lophostemon suaveolens and sometime E. populnea woodland. The upper stratum ranges in height from 10-20 m. Wetland species such as Juncus spp., Cyperus spp. Marsilea sp. and annual grasses may be present in the ground layer. In some areas, Lophostemon suaveolens is dominant, and Eucalyptus tereticornis occurs as an emergent. Larger depressions are treeless with a fringing woodland. The margins may be fringed by dense stands of Melaleuca nervosa or M. viridiflora. Occurs in, or fringing, closed depressions that occur on Cainozoic sandplains. Associated soils vary from deep cracking clays to skeletal soils, but always with ironstone concretions on the surface or at depth, and with sandy soils fringing. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34d). |
| Supplementary description | Gunn and Nix (1977) LU 10; Burgess (2003) (VA21, VA49) Thirteen mile |
| Special values | 11.5.17: Provides wetland habitat for a flora and fauna. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: As swamps dry out in the mid to late dry season. INTENSITY: Low. INTERVAL: Occasional fires, typically every 5 - 10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 5. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Burn under mild conditions and primarily away from the edge into surrounding vegetation. Low intensity burning may be of benefit within the forests with native grasses and where Para grass density requires management. ISSUES: Care is needed to ensure a low intensity fire, as high intensity fires can damage trees, e.g. Melaleuca spp. and Brigalow. Native grasses (e.g. Imperata cylindrica, Sporobolus virginicus) and sedges (e.g. Fimbristylis spp) will benefit from occasional burning. Fire, coupled with herbicide spraying, is important for managing exotic wetland plants, such as Olive Hymenachne and Para grass. Burning temporarily opens gaps within exotic grass patches, allowing native flora to establish. Maintain native grass diversity and ensure native trees are not damaged by fires. |
| Comments | 11.5.17: Occurs on small patches in depressions, of alluvial origin (land zone 3), on the intact Tertiary surface. Similar regional ecosystem (10.3.15) extends into adjacent Desert Uplands bioregion. |
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.
