Regional ecosystem details for 4.3.23
| Regional ecosystem | 4.3.23 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, 6, (5), (9.5), (10.4), (10.2), (6.9), (6.8) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 141000 ha; Remnant 2021 124000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia tephrina, Lysiphyllum spp., Acacia cambagei and Ventilago viminalis in mixed low open woodlands on alluvial plains in the north-east |
| Structure code | Open Woodland |
| Description | Mixed low open woodland, including combinations of the species Acacia tephrina, Lysiphyllum spp., Acacia cambagei, Ventilago viminalis, Atalaya hemiglauca and Flindersia maculosa. Occasional canopy species include Alectryon oleifolius, Corymbia terminalis, Eucalyptus coolabah and Acacia crombiei. A sparse shrub layer may occur. The ground layer is tussock grasses. Occurs on active, silty alluvial plains, predominantly in the north-east of the bioregion. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 27a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 4.3.23x40: Acacia tephrina woodland to low woodland, occasionally with A. cambagei, A. crombiei and Atalaya hemiglauca. A shrub layer usually occurs, including canopy species, Eremophila mitchellii and Flindersia maculosa. The ground layer includes tussock grasses and forbs. Occurs on gravelly, old alluvial clay deposits in the east of the bioregion. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 27a). |
| Supplementary description | 'Neldner (1991), 12 (26) |
| Protected areas | Idalia NP |
| Special values | 4.3.23: Habitat for Acacia crombiei (Vulnerable). 4.3.23x40: Habitat for Acacia crombiei (Vulnerable). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Wet to early dry season when soil is moist. INTENSITY: Low. INTERVAL: Broad interval range of 6-10 years for open acacia with grassy understorey. INTERVAL_MIN: 6. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Patchy, within the 20-30% range of area burnt. ISSUES: Acacias germinate infrequently following high rainfall events, mature slowly and are long-lived. Acacias are vulnerable to frequent and high-severity fires. Fire in surrounding fire-adapted communities can be used to mitigate against wildfire. Fuel loads within Acacia communities can sometimes also require infrequent patchy burns, particularly following years of good rain, to protect them from wildfire and promote diversity at the ground layer. Long absence of fire can result in canopy closure by Acacias and lead to self-protection of these communities. Introduced invasive grasses (e.g., buffel Cenchrus ciliaris) may increase the risk and severity of fires. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13.1 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.
