Regional ecosystem details for 11.8.4
| Regional ecosystem | 11.8.4 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 23, 10, 24, (20), (8), (15), (31), (19), (18), (26), (22), (21), (6), (2), (16), (11), (13), (12), (27), (12.10) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 217000 ha; Remnant 2021 151000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus melanophloia woodland to open woodland on Cainozoic igneous rocks. |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus melanophloia and/or E. crebra +/- E. orgadophila +/- Corymbia erythrophloia woodland to open woodland. Macrozamia moorei is a conspicuous element of the mid layer in the Central Highlands. Localised patches of Corymbia citriodora occur on volcanic plugs such as Minerva Hills. Generally occurs on slopes of mountains and hills formed from Cainozoic igneous rocks usually with shallow stony soils and extensive outcropping. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 11a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.8.4a: Corymbia citriodora woodland. Generally occurs on slopes of mountains and hills formed from Cainozoic igneous rocks usually with shallow stony soils and extensive outcropping. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 10a). |
| Supplementary description | Forster and Barton (1995), Barmoya; Galloway et al. (1974), LU18; Speck et al. (1968), Lawgi, Westwood; Story et al. (1967), Britton, Moorooloo, Percy; Gunn and Nix (1977) LU 104, 105 |
| Protected areas | Carnarvon NP, Expedition NP, Minerva Hills NP, Homevale NP, Kroombit Tops NP, Peak Range NP, Expedition RR |
| Special values | 11.8.4: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Acacia arbiana, Acacia islana, Bertya pedicellata, Grevillea hockingsii, Haloragis exalata subsp. velutina, Marsdenia brevifolia, Sannantha brachypoda. This ecosystem is also known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late wet to early dry season when there is good soil moisture. Early storm season or after good spring rains. a: n/a. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. a: n/a. INTERVAL: 6-10 years (shorter intervals in north of bioregion: 3 - 7 years). a: n/a. INTERVAL_MIN: 3. 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. a: This vegetation requires protection from wildfire. Protection primarily relies on broad-scale management of surrounding country with numerous small fires throughout the year so that wildfires will be very limited in extent. Maintenance of fire breaks may be appropriate on flat country, but natural features will be useful as breaks in 'wild' country. 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. Planned burns have traditionally been carried out in the winter dry season; further research required. a: Fuel reduction in the surrounding vegetation under low fire danger conditions and/or revegetation of cleared areas reduce the risk of damaging wildfires. Maintain or re-establish native vegetation communities adjacent to this ecosystem. Grazing may be useful in managing fuel loads created by introduced grasses such as buffel. |
| Comments | 11.8.4: This regional ecosystem occurs on steeper slopes and shallower soils compared to 11.8.5 which occurs on undulating plains and low hills with deeper soils. |
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.
