Regional ecosystem details for 11.5.9
| Regional ecosystem | 11.5.9 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 11, 6, 5, 16, 3, 14, (25), (7), (1), (26), (15), (19), (22), (21), (13), (9.4), (10), (24), (6.4), (20), (17), (4.4), (8), (4), (10.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 366000 ha; Remnant 2021 238000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus crebra and other Eucalyptus spp. and Corymbia spp. woodland on Cainozoic sand plains and/or remnant surfaces |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus crebra and/or Eucalyptus melanophloia woodland. Other tree species that may be present and locally dominant include Corymbia citriodora or C. clarksoniana sometimes in association with C. intermedia, C. dallachiana, C. lamprophylla, E. tenuipes, E. exserta, E. cloeziana, E. acmenoides. The mid layer ranges from absent to a sparse to dense shrubland typically dominated by Acacia spp. (such as A. excelsa, A. leiocalyx), Petalostigma pubescens, Lysicarpus angustifolius, Alphitonia excelsa and occasionally Melaleuca nervosa. Occurs on Cainozoic sandplains formed on plateaus and broad crests of hills and ranges. Soils are generally deep red earths. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.5.9a: Eucalyptus melanophloia woodland. Occurs on Cainozoic sandplains formed on plateaus and broad crests of hills and ranges. Soils are generally deep red earths. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17b). 11.5.9b: Eucalyptus crebra, E. tenuipes, Lysicarpus angustifolius +/- Corymbia spp. woodland. Occurs on Cainozoic sandplains formed on plateaus and broad crests of hills and ranges. Soils are generally deep red earths. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18b). 11.5.9c: Eucalyptus crebra +/- Corymbia intermedia +/- E. moluccana +/- C. dallachiana woodland. Occurs on Cainozoic sandplains formed on plateaus and broad crests of hills and ranges. Soils are generally deep red earths. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18b). 11.5.9d: Corymbia citriodora and/or E. crebra woodland. Occurs on Cainozoic sandplains formed on plateaus and broad crests of hills and ranges. Soils are generally deep red earths. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 10a). |
| Supplementary description | Dowling and Stephens (1997), 2, 9; Forster and Barton (1995), Woodstock; Galloway et al. (1974), LU20; Gunn et al. (1967), Tichbourne; Speck et al. (1968), Melbadale, Perch, Duaringa; Story et al. (1967), Junee; Gunn and Nix (1977), LU 25 |
| Protected areas | Blackdown Tableland NP, Junee NP, Nairana NP, Taunton NP (S) |
| Special values | 11.5.9: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Cerbera dumicola, Cossinia australiana, Cycas ophiolitica, Solanum elachophyllum. |
| 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. 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. |
| Comments | 11.5.9: Eucalyptus moluccana is sometimes locally common especially on lower slopes where it merges into regional ecosystem 11.5.2. Acacia shirleyi may be present on rises where it merges into regional ecosystem 11.7.2. Variation in structure and floristic composition of the understorey may be associated with fire history. |
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.
