Regional ecosystem details for 2.3.17
| Regional ecosystem | 2.3.17 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Riverine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 3, 8, 4, 2, 5, (6), (7), (1.3), (4.5), (4.6), (3.1), (1.4), (1), (9.1), (9), (4.3), (3.8) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 353000 ha; Remnant 2021 350000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus microtheca +/- Excoecaria parvifolia, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii, Atalaya hemiglauca woodland fringing channels in fine-textured alluvial systems |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus microtheca low open woodland to woodland, commonly with Excoecaria parvifolia, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii and Atalaya hemiglauca. A sparse lower tree or shrub layer may occur, including canopy species, Acacia spp. and Carissa lanceolata. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Enteropogon minutus, Dichanthium spp., Astrebla spp. and Chrysopogon fallax. Occurs on fringes of channels with fine-textured parent materials. Fine alluvial soils, minor calcareous clays. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 2.3.17a: Eucalyptus microtheca low open woodland to woodland, commonly with Excoecaria parvifolia and Lysiphyllum cunninghamii. A sparse lower tree or shrub layer may occur, including canopy species and Atalaya hemiglauca. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Astrebla spp., Iseilema spp., and Chloris pumilio. Occurs on fringes of channels on Quaternary alluvial plains derived from fine-grained parent material. Fine alluvial soils and cracking clays. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 2.3.17b: Eucalyptus microtheca woodland. A lower tree or shrub layer may occur, including Lysiphyllum cunninghamii and Atalaya hemiglauca. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Enteropogon minutus and Eulalia aurea. Occurs on fringes of narrow channels on silty Quaternary alluvial plains derived from coarser-grained parent material. Silty clay loam soils. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 2.3.17c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community has been amalgamated into 2.3.17a. Eucalyptus microtheca and Eucalyptus camaldulensis woodland to open forest, occasionally with Corymbia bella and Melaleuca spp. A sparse shrub layer may occur, including canopy species and Excoecaria parvifolia. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Dichanthium fecundum and Chrysopogon fallax. Occurs on fringes and in channels of major watercourses. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 2.3.17d: Eucalyptus microtheca woodland to open forest, commonly with Terminalia platyphylla. A shrub layer of Flueggea virosa commonly occurs. Occurs on active terraces of major, spring-fed watercourses. Cracking clay soils. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 2.3.17f: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.17d. Eucalyptus microtheca woodland to open forest, commonly with Terminalia platyphylla. A shrub layer of Flueggea virosa commonly occurs. Occurs on active terraces of major permanent watercourses. Cracking clay soils. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 2.3.17g: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.17b. Eucalyptus microtheca low woodland commonly with Lysiphyllum cunninghamii and Excoecaria parvifolia. Occurs on narrow channels on silty Quaternary alluvial plains derived from coarse-grained parent material. Silty clay loam soils. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 2.3.17x1: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 2.3.42d. Eucalyptus microtheca woodland. Lysiphyllum cunninghamii and Santalum lanceolatum may occur as isolated lower trees. The ground layer is tussock grasses. Occurs on sandy floodout deposits around the Cloncurry River, with many minor distributary channels. Brown loamy soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16c). |
| Supplementary description | Christian et al. (1954), Balbarini; Neldner (1991), 2, 4, 8; Perry et al. (1964), Armraynald, Balbarini, Cloncurry, Gregory, Georgina, Glenore, Percol, Donors, Punchbowl, Cowan, Mayvale |
| Protected areas | Lawn Hill (Widdallion) RR, Staaten River NP, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, Lawn Hill (Creek) RR, Lawn Hill (Arthur Creek) RR |
| Special values | 2.3.17: Bioregional refuge for fauna, including macropods. 2.3.17a: Bioregional refuge for fauna, including macropods. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Early to mid-dry season. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: 1-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 1. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Burn less than 30% in any year. Buffer as indicated by fuel build-up in surrounding vegetation. Restrict extent and intensity of fires. Burn only under mild conditions. ISSUES: Intense and extensive fires will degrade vegetation structure and destroy animal habitats. |
| Comments | 2.3.17: Diverse ecosystem requiring further analysis. Subject to very high grazing pressure. Widespread erosion and habitat loss. Extensive invasion by buffel grass *Cenchrus ciliaris on sandier soils. 2.3.17a: Diverse ecosystem requiring further analysis. Was previously mapped as 2.3.17 and 2.3.17c. Subject to very high grazing pressure. Widespread erosion and habitat loss. Extensive invasion by buffel grass *Cenchrus ciliaris on sandier soils. 2.3.17b: Was previously mapped as 2.3.17g. Subject to very high grazing pressure. Widespread erosion and habitat loss. 2.3.17c: Subject to very high grazing pressure. Widespread erosion and habitat loss. 2.3.17d: A rare vegetation community. Was previously mapped as 2.3.17f. Commonly heavily invaded by *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine). Subject to very high grazing pressure. Widespread erosion and habitat loss. 2.3.17f: A rare vegetation community. Commonly heavily invaded by *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine). Subject to very high grazing pressure. Widespread erosion and habitat loss. 2.3.17g: Subject to very high grazing pressure. Widespread erosion and habitat loss. 2.3.17x1: A rare ecosystem with limited extent. Sedan Dip area. Commonly heavily invaded by exotic Cenchrus spp. Threatening processes associated with potential expansion of intensive agriculture in the area. |
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.
