Regional ecosystem details for 2.3.3
| Regional ecosystem | 2.3.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 3, 8, 5, (2), (4.5), (1.3), (4.6), (7), (4.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 787000 ha; Remnant 2021 782000 ha |
| Short description | Astrebla squarrosa and/or A. elymoides and/or Iseilema spp. tussock grassland on active Quaternary alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Astrebla squarrosa and/or A. elymoides and/or Iseilema spp. tussock grassland to closed tussock grassland. Occasional species include Astrebla lappacea, Dichanthium spp. and Eulalia aurea. Emergent Eucalyptus microtheca, Atalaya hemiglauca, Excoecaria parvifolia and Acacia cambagei may occur. Occurs on active Quaternary alluvial plains; calcareous clays, some gilgai. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 2.3.3x40: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 2.4.2a. Astrebla spp., Iseilema spp. Tussock grassland, occasionally with Aristida latifolia, Sarga spp. And Dichanthium spp. Emergent Atalaya hemiglauca may occur. Occurs on broad Tertiary clay plains. Brown cracking clay soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30b). 2.3.3x41: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 2.4.2b. Mixed tussock grassland, including combinations of the species Astrebla spp., Eulalia aurea, Iseilema spp., Aristida latifolia, Dichanthium fecundum, Sarga spp. And Chrysopogon fallax. Emergent Atalaya hemiglauca may occur. Occurs on high-level Tertiary alluvial clay deposits. Brown cracking clays, commonly gravelly. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30b). |
| Supplementary description | Christian et al. (1954), Gregory; Neldner (1991), 43; Perry et al. (1964), Cloncurry, Gregory, Balbarini, Georgina, Monstraven, Percol, Armraynald, Cowan |
| Special values | 2.3.3: Potential habitat for Sminthopsis douglasi (Julia Creek dunnart). |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not burn deliberately. The grasses and forbs of Astrebla spp. dominated communities do not require fire for regeneration. Protection relies on management of fire in the surrounding country to prevent running fires entering Astrebla spp. communities, particularly at times of low soil moisture. ISSUES: Fire can sometimes be used as a tool to control woody thickening and woody weeds in grasslands. Moderate intensity fire is required for a successful kill of the woody species but good moisture levels are required to ensure recovery of the ground layer. Large scale germination of woody species is most likely to occur in high rainfall years. The best management opportunity is usually after storms at the end of the subsequent dry season, although exclusion of grazing pressure may still be required to ensure sufficient fuel loads. |
| Comments | 2.3.3: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. Threatening processes associated with potential expansion of intensive agriculture in the area. 2.3.3x40: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. May be invaded by exotic Vachellia spp. Threatening processes associated with potential expansion of intensive agriculture. 2.3.3x41: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. Occasionally invaded by *Vachellia farnesiana (mimosa bush). |
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.
