Regional ecosystem details for 12.8.14
| Regional ecosystem | 12.8.14 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, 11.31, 6, 2, (10), (5), (7), (4), (3), (9), (11) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 80000 ha; Remnant 2021 46000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus eugenioides, E. biturbinata, E. melliodora +/- E. tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia open forest on Cainozoic igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Eucalyptus eugenioides, E. biturbinata, E. melliodora +/- E. tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia, E. crebra open forest. Allocasuarina torulosa is a common understorey species. Localised occurrences of Eucalyptus laevopinea, E. quadrangulata and E. banksii may occur. Occurs on Cainozoic igneous rocks, especially basalt. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 11a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 12.8.14a: Eucalyptus moluccana open forest +/- E. tereticornis, Eucalyptus siderophloia or E. crebra. Understorey generally sparse but can become shrubby in absence of fire. Occurs on Cainozoic igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13d). 12.8.14b: Eucalyptus quadrangulata, E. eugenioides +/- E. biturbinata tall open forest. Commonly has a moist ground layer dominated by ferns e.g. Blechnum neohollandicum. Occurs on Cainozoic igneous rocks, especially basalt usually at altitudes >800m. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 11a). 12.8.14x1: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 12.9-10.5d. Woodland of Eucalyptus eugenioides, E. biturbinata/longirostrata, E. crebra, and Corymbia trachyphloia. Occurs on Cainozoic and Mesozoic sediments. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). |
| Supplementary description | Ryan, T.S. (ed.) (2012) |
| Protected areas | Main Range NP, Bunya Mountains NP, Lamington NP, Main Range CP, Mount Barney NP, Mount Binga NP, Kroombit Tops NP, Dwyers Scrub CP, Lockyer NP, Mount Chinghee NP, Tamborine NP, Mount Beau Brummell CP, Woondum NP, Crows Nest NP, Flagstone Creek CP, Springb |
| Special values | 12.8.14: Habitat for threatened plant species including Sophora fraseri, Marsdenia longiloba. This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). 12.8.14a: Habitat for threatened plant species including Sophora fraseri, Marsdenia longiloba. This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). 12.8.14b: Habitat for threatened plant species including Sophora fraseri, Marsdenia longiloba. 12.8.14x1: Habitat for threatened flora species including Sophora fraseri. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Summer to winter with good soil moisture. INTENSITY: Plan for low to moderate. Unplanned occasional high intensity wildfire will occur. Regular fire will mitigate impact of severe fire. INTERVAL: Most fire intervals expected to be 2-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Fire management should aim to maintain a healthy grassy system. To achieve this aim for 40-60% fine scale mosaic burn. Needs disturbance to maintain RE structure (eucalypt overstorey with open understorey of predominantly non-rainforest species). Burn with soil moisture and with a spot ignition strategy so that a patchwork of burnt/unburnt country is achieved. Variability in season and fire intensity is important, as well as spot ignition in cooler or moister periods to encourage mosaics. Assess regeneration after the first growing season post-fire and for the next 2 years to ensure recruits (primarily wattles Acacia irorata, Lantana camara and rainforest pioneers) are not developing too abundantly. Observe over subsequent years to ensure next fire occurs in time to maintain healthy grasses (especially Themeda spp., Poa sp., Sorghum sp.). A follow-up burn soon after a high intensity wildfire can be considered to reduce germinating/resprouting mesic species. ISSUES: Typically lower rainfall than other moist RE types, but prefers sheltered slopes and gullies where it maintains moist environment. Frequent fire is needed to maintain understorey integrity, keeping more mesic species low in the profile of the understorey so that other species can compete. A grassy system is especially important for species such as the eastern bristlebird. It is essential that wildfires are not the sole source of fire in this ecosystem. Maintain ground litter and fallen timber habitats by burning only with sufficient soil moisture. Weeds are a significant problem, e.g., crofton weed Ageratina adenophora. |
| Comments | 12.8.14b: Main Range. 12.8.14x1: This regional ecosystem has been reclassified to 12.9-10.5d as it occurs on land zone 9-10. Restricted to the south western edge of the Southeast Queensland bioregion. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13.1 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.
