Regional ecosystem details for 3.7.3
| Regional ecosystem | 3.7.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 7, 4 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 74000 ha; Remnant 2021 74000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus cullenii +/- E. tetrodonta woodland on erosional escarpments and plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus cullenii (Cullen's ironbark) woodland usually with E. tetrodonta (Darwin stringybark). Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood) is also commonly present along with any of a number of Corymbia spp. The very sparse to sparse sub-canopy layer is composed most frequently of Planchonia careya (cocky apple) but can also include canopy species, Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) and Alphitonia pomaderroides (soapwood). The sparse to very sparse shrub layer commonly includes Croton arnhemicus (hard cascarilla) and canopy species. The grasses Heteropogon triticeus (giant speargrass), Sarga plumosum (plume sorghum), Eulalia mackinlayi (silky browntop) and Schizachyrium spp. (fire grass) dominate the sparse to mid-dense ground layer. Occurs on erosional escarpments and rises on the edge of the bauxite plateaus. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner and Clarkson (in prep), 72 |
| Protected areas | Batavia NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.7.3: Habitat for the near threatened species Acacia ommatosperma. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Dry season with occasional storm burns. INTENSITY: Low to moderate with occasional high intensity. INTERVAL: 1-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 1. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Burn less than 30% in any year. Begin burning early in the dry season, followed by progressive patch fires burnt through the year. ISSUES: This vegetation is fire tolerant. Management should aim at preventing extensive wildfire. Storm burns are used to add diversity to the fire mosaic, promoting perennial grasses and preventing vegetation thickening. |
| Comments | 3.7.3: Occurs on shallow soils as well as marginally deeper soils that are heavily weathered. Ironstone pebbles are a conspicuous feature of this community, though outcrops are not common. |
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.
