Regional ecosystem details for 11.5.3
| Regional ecosystem | 11.5.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 7, 6, 11, 5, (8), (13), (9), (15), (3), (12), (26), (10), (2), (24), (4.4), (16), (20), (4), (10.4), (9.4), (22), (10.2), (10.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 975000 ha; Remnant 2021 366000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus populnea +/- E. melanophloia +/- Corymbia clarksoniana woodland on Cainozoic sand plains and/or remnant surfaces |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus populnea +/- E. melanophloia +/- Corymbia clarksoniana +/- C. dallachiana and occasionally E. cambageana or E. brownii woodland. Localised areas may be dominated by E. melanophloia, occasionally E. crebra and other canopy species. There is typically a secondary tree layer, including Eremophila mitchellii, Geijera parviflora, Archidendropsis basaltica, Erythroxylum australe, Cassia brewsteri, Ventilago viminalis, Allocasuarina luehmannii and Callitris glaucophylla. A low shrub layer of Carissa ovata, Erythroxylum australe, Capparis lasiantha commonly occurs. Occurs on flat to gently undulating plains formed from Cainozoic sediments. Associated soils are generally deep texture contrast with thick sandy surface horizons with some deep red earths. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.5.3a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 11.5.3. Eucalyptus melanophloia +/- Corymbia clarksoniana +/- C. dallachiana dominate the tree layer (14m median height and 11-15m range) woodland. There is generally a low tree layer (8, 6-11m high) present. RE is defunct. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17b). 11.5.3b: Eucalyptus populnea woodland on closed depressions. Occurs on closed depressions in sandplains. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 17a). 11.5.3x1: Eucalyptus persistens and E. populnea +/- E. crebra +/- E. melanophloia +/- Corymbia clarksoniana +/- C. dallachiana and occasionally E. cambageana or E. brownii woodland. Localised areas may be dominated by E. melanophloia, occasionally E. crebra and other canopy species. There is typically a secondary tree layer, including Eremophila mitchellii, Geijera parviflora, Archidendropsis basaltica, Erythroxylum australe, Flindersia dissosperma, Alectryon oleifolius, Cassia brewsteri, Ventilago viminalis, Allocasuarina luehmannii and Callitris glaucophylla. A low shrub layer of Carissa ovata, Erythroxylum australe, Capparis lasiantha commonly occurs. Occurs on flat to gently undulating plains and low rises formed from Cainozoic sediments adjacent to hills and ranges in the inland northern part of the bioregion (e.g. Associated soils are generally moderately-deep to deep texture contrast soils with sandy surface horizons and some red earths. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17a). |
| Supplementary description | Gunn et al. (1967), Pine Hill, Humboldt, Islay, Lennox, Monteagle (1,4), Tichbourne; Story et al. (1967), Monteagle; Gunn and Nix (1977), LU 23 |
| Protected areas | Dipperu NP (S), Humboldt NP, Belmah CP, Taunton NP (S), Narrien Range NP, Wilandspey CP, Carnarvon NP, Nairana NP, Junee NP, Mazeppa NP, Albinia NP, Epping Forest NP (S) |
| Special values | 11.5.3: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Sannantha brachypoda. 11.5.3x1: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Sannantha brachypoda. |
| 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: Various. INTERVAL: 6-15 years (shorter intervals in north of bioregion: 5 - 10 years). No shrubby woodlands should receive two consecutive burns at intervals of < 6 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 5. INTERVAL_MAX: 15. STRATEGY: Once boundaries of the planned burning area are secure, ignite across the landscape in a patchwork, rather than continuous ignition strips. Use topographical features to help create a patchily burnt landscape. Where shrubby woodlands occur within a broader grassy landscape, attempt to burn the shrubby woodland during every second fire rotation in the grassy woodland, by burning early breaks around the shrubby areas. In sites with a history of wildfires recurring within 5 years, patchy burning in a few small strategic locations at 3 or 4 year intervals may reduce the incidence of extensive wildfires, while ensuring most shrubby woodland areas remain unburnt for > 5 years. b: 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: Shrubby woodlands require longer fire intervals than grassy woodlands, because of the presence of fire-killed shrubs and the time required for post-fire regrowth to return to a mature structure. The seedlings of many fire-killed shrubs (such as some wattles) require 5 years or more before they mature. The creation of a fine-scale patchy mosaic can be more difficult to achieve in shrubby compared to grassy woodlands. Ensure seedlings of fire-killed shrubs mature and persist in the woodland; ensure several years of mature shrubby woodland structure before the subsequent fire. b: 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. Ensure native grass diversity is maintained and native trees are not damaged by fires. |
| Comments | 11.5.3: Regional Ecosystem 11.5.3a has been amalgamated into this RE. Extensively cleared for pasture or modified by total grazing pressure and invasion by the exotic pasture species *Cenchrus ciliaris. Management priorities or bird habitat protection are cessation of broad scale clearing, management of regrowth, maintenance of fallen woody debris increased fire frequency and reduction in grazing and exotic pasture grass (Hannah et al 2007). 11.5.3x1: Regional Ecosystem 11.5.3a has been amalgamated into this RE. Extensively cleared for pasture or modified by total grazing pressure and invasion by the exotic pasture species *Cenchrus ciliaris. Management priorities or bird habitat protection are cessation of broad scale clearing, management of regrowth, maintenance of fallen woody debris increased fire frequency and reduction in grazing and exotic pasture grass (Hannah et al 2007). |
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.
