Regional ecosystem details for 3.9.4
| Regional ecosystem | 3.9.4 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 7, (4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 252000 ha; Remnant 2021 252000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus leptophleba +/- Corymbia dallachiana or Eucalyptus platyphylla open woodland on rolling plains |
| Structure code | Open Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) or Eucalyptus platyphylla (poplar gum) open woodlands or woodlands. Corymbia dallachiana (Dallachy's gum), C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) or Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood) may be present in the canopy. A very sparse sub-canopy tree layer is occasionally present. A very sparse shrub layer is sometimes present. Occurs on rolling plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.9.4a: Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) open woodland to woodland. Several Corymbia spp. can occasionally occur as sub-dominants along with Melaleuca viridiflora and M. stenostachya. A very sparse sub-canopy is occasionally present in the open woodlands but more frequently in the woodlands. A very sparse shrub layer is usually present in which Planchonia careya (cocky apple), Antidesma ghaesembilla and Grewia savannicola (dog's balls) are the most commonly encountered species. The ground layer is mid-dense to dense and dominated by a variety of grasses including Heteropogon triticeus (giant speargrass), H. contortus (black speargrass), Sarga plumosum (plume sorghum) and Capillipedium parviflorum (scented top). Occurs on rolling plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18c). 3.9.4b: Eucalyptus platyphylla (poplar gum) open woodland. Scattered trees of Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) and Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood) are often present in the canopy. A few sub-canopy trees may be present. Isolated low shrubs of Antidesma ghaesembilla, Planchonia careya (cocky apple) and canopy species may be present but rarely form a conspicuous layer. The ground layer is mid-dense to dense and dominated by grass species predominantly Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) H. triticeus (giant spear-grass) and Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass). Occurs on rolling plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18c). |
| Protected areas | Oyala Thumotang NP (CYPAL), Batavia NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.9.4: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Acacia ommatosperma, Arthraxon australiensis. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Early to mid-dry season. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: 2-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Burn less than 30% in any year. Burn only under mild conditions. ISSUES: Restrict extent and intensity of fires, because intense and extensive fires degrade vegetation structure and destroy animal habitats. |
| Comments | 3.9.4: Widespread. Eucalyptus chlorophylla (shiny-leaved box) is occasionally present in this regional ecosystem. Where it occurs, it usually replaces E. leptophleba. Central Peninsula. Potentially threatened with clearing for more intensive grazing. 3.9.4a: Widespread. Central Peninsula. Potentially threatened with clearing for more intensive grazing. 3.9.4b: E. platyphylla may be completely leafless at the end of the dry season. Central Peninsula. |
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.
