Regional ecosystem details for 11.8.5
| Regional ecosystem | 11.8.5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 10, 31, 23, 6, (26), (24), (2), (15), (11), (9), (20), (21), (13), (16), (5), (7), (12.2), (12.6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 631000 ha; Remnant 2021 344000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus orgadophila open woodland on Cainozoic igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Open Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus orgadophila open woodland. Eucalyptus orgadophila predominates and forms a distinct but discontinuous canopy sometimes with other sub-dominant species such as Corymbia erythrophloia, E. melanophloia and occasionally E. crebra. Shrubs are usually scarce and scattered although a well-defined shrubby layer does develop in some areas. On the lower slopes at better sites, softwood scrub species may form tall and low shrub layers under the canopy of Eucalyptus orgadophila. The ground layer is moderately dense to dense, and dominated by species that include the grasses Aristida lazaridis, A. ramosa, Bothriochloa ewartiana, Dichanthium sericeum, Chrysopogon fallax, Heteropogon contortus, Enneapogon gracilis, Themeda triandra and Tragus australianus and the herbs Brunoniella australis, Evolvulus alsinoides, Galactia tenuiflora and Indigofera linnaei. Occurs on undulating plains, rises, low hills or sometimes flat tablelands on top of mountains, formed from basalt. Generally soils are shallow to moderately shallow, often rocky or stony clays. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 11a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.8.5a: Eucalyptus orgadophila woodland with a dense understorey of low trees species including Geijera parviflora, Callitris glaucophylla, Pittosporum angustifolium, Casuarina cristata, Alectryon oleifolius, Psydrax odorata and Notelaea microcarpa. Occurs on undulating plains, rises, low hills or sometimes flat tablelands on top of mountains, formed from basalt. Generally soils are shallow to moderately shallow, often rocky or stony clays. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 11a). |
| Supplementary description | Fensham (1998a); Fensham and Fairfax (1997); Fensham (1999), mountain coolabah woodland on basalt; Galloway et al. (1974), LU18; Neldner (1984), 33; Vandersee (1975), Westbrook; Story et al. (1967), Waterford; Gunn et al. (1968), Peak Vale (2); Young and |
| Protected areas | Carnarvon NP, Albinia NP, Peak Range NP, Homevale NP, Bunya Mountains NP, Minerva Hills NP, Mount Leura CP, Albinia CP |
| Special values | 11.8.5: In southern part of bioregion, habitat for a number of threatened plant species including Picris evae and Thesium australe and near threatened species Digitaria porrecta and Discaria pubescens. This ecosystem is also known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). 11.8.5a: This ecosystem is 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. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: 6-10 years (shorter intervals in north of bioregion: 3 - 7 years). 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. 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. Culturally significant (scar) trees (particularly on Land Zones 3, 4 and 5) may need protection, such as rake removal of ground fuels. Planned burns have traditionally been carried out in the winter dry season; further research required. |
| Comments | 11.8.5: Areas of open woodland to grassland that occur on footslopes of basalt hills are included as 11.8.5 in situations where they represent a narrow (< 75m wide) ecotone adjacent to the alluvial land zone. Extensively thinned, cleared or cultivated in many areas. Some areas in central Queensland are subject to invasion by *Parthenium hysterophorus (Fensham 1999) associated with periods of low summer rainfall combined with high or moderate grazing pressure (Fensham et al. 1999). The occurrence of Parthenium may be reversible with appropriate management and season in the medium term (Fensham 1999). Naturalised species associated with this regional ecosystem include *Sida spinosa. 11.8.5a: Generally occurs in subregion 31. |
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.
