Regional ecosystem details for 3.2.9
| Regional ecosystem | 3.2.9 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 2 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 2000 ha; Remnant 2021 2000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus phoenicea +/- Corymbia nesophila woodland on dunefields around Cape Bedford |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Eucalyptus phoenicea (scarlet gum) open forest to low open forest. Corymbia nesophila (Melville Island bloodwood) is commonly present as a subdominant canopy tree. A very sparse to sparse sub-canopy commonly contains Syzygium suborbiculare (lady apple) with Acacia crassicarpa (spoon tree), A. flavescens (powder puff wattle), Parinari nonda (nonda plum) and Livistona muelleri occasionally present. A sparse to mid-dense shrub layer, including many heath species, is usually present. The ground layer is sparse and usually dominated by grasses and Lomandra spp. The creeping vines Vandasina retusa and Flemingia parviflora are conspicuous at some localities. Occurs on dunefields around Cape Bedford. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14c). |
| Special values | 3.2.9: The only Queensland populations of Eucalyptus phoenicea occur in REs 3.2.9, 3.5.6 and 3.10.7. This species is widely distributed in the Northern Territory and Kimberley region. The near threatened species Xanthostemon arenarius occurs in this ecosystem. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Commence planned burns early in the dry season, after the wet season when dry enough to burn. Use occasional storm burns but generally avoid periods of extremely hot, dry conditions. INTENSITY: Low to moderate with occasional high during storm burns. INTERVAL: 2-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Apply a mosaic across the landscape at a range of intervals to create varying stages of post-fire response. Burn 30-60% at the property level. ISSUES: To mitigate against the impact of late dry season fires, commence burning early in the season and continue through the dry to break up continuity of fuels across the landscape. Planned fire applied repeatedly early in the dry season may lead to woody thickening because fires are not of sufficiently high intensity; this may be exacerbated by stock grazing. Manage extent, intensity and frequency of fires judiciously, to avoid habitat tree loss. Hard seeded Acacia plants could be eliminated by low intensity fires; ensure occasional high intensity. |
| Comments | 3.2.9: On some exposed dune slopes can occur as a low open forest with a very sparse heathy shrub layer. Restricted to Cape Bedford 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.
