Regional ecosystem details for 3.3.8
| Regional ecosystem | 3.3.8 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 6, 1, (4), (2), (5), (9), (7), (7.9) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 33000 ha; Remnant 2021 32000 ha |
| Short description | Corymbia tessellaris, C. clarksoniana woodland to open forest on coastal alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Corymbia tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash) woodland to open forest, usually with C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) codominant. In areas around Princess Charlotte Bay Eucalyptus acroleuca (Lakefield coolibah) may be present. Occurs on coastal alluvial plains and piedmont fans, most extensively east of McIlwraith Range. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.3.8a: Corymbia tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash) woodland to open forest, usually with C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) codominant. Acacia crassicarpa (spoon tree), Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp mahogany) and Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree) may be present as subdominant trees. A sparse to mid-dense sub-canopy often contains Parinari nonda (nonda plum), A. crassicarpa, C. tessellaris, Grevillea glauca (clothes-peg Grevillea) and M. viridiflora. The sparse to mid-dense mixed shrubland often includes Alphitonia pomaderroides (soap-bush), Antidesma ghaesembilla (black currant), Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Ficus opposita (sand-paper fig), Coelospermum decipiens and Corymbia clarksoniana. Occurs on coastal alluvial plains and piedmont fans, most extensively east of McIlwraith Range. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). 3.3.8b: Corymbia tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash) woodland. C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) is usually present, and may dominant the canopy in some situations. C. papuana may be present in the canopy. Eucalyptus acroleuca (Lakefield coolibah) and E. leptophleba (Molloy red box) are occasionally present particularly in wetter micro sites. A very sparse to sparse sub-canopy tree layer (3-10m tall) is present, with Planchonia careya (cocky apple), Melaleuca nervosa (woodland paperbark), Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood), Ficus opposita (sandpaper fig) and C. clarksoniana the most frequent species. At some sites M. viridiflora dominates a conspicuous sub-canopy layer. The shrub layer (0.5-3m tall) varies from very sparse to mid-dense, with Antidesma ghaesembilla, Flueggea virosa subsp. melanthesoides and C. clarksoniana the most frequent species. The ground layer is mid-dense to dense, with Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass), H. triticeus (giant speargrass), Themeda arguens, T. triandra (kangaroo grass), Sarga plumosum (plume sorghum) and Mnesithea rottboellioides (northern canegrass) frequent dominant species. Associated with levees. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). |
| Protected areas | Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP (CYPAL), KULLA (McIlwraith Range) NP (CYPAL), Bromley (Ampulin) NP (CYPAL), Biniirr NP (CYPAL), Annan River (Yuku Baja-Muliku) NP, Endeavour River NP, Oyala Thumotang NP (CYPAL), Endeavour River RR, Muundhi (Jack River) NP (CYPAL), |
| Special values | 3.3.8: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Coix gasteenii. 3.3.8b: Eucalyptus acroleuca is an endemic species confined to the Laura Lowlands. |
| 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: 1-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 1. 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. |
| Comments | 3.3.8: In some areas Corymbia papuana can occur in place of C. tessellaris. Most extensively east of McIlwraith Range. 3.3.8a: In some areas Corymbia papuana can occur in place of C.tessellaris. Most extensively east of McIlwraith Range. 3.3.8b: Lakefield 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.
