Regional ecosystem details for 4.5.4
| Regional ecosystem | 4.5.4 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, 5, (5.4), (5.5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 110000 ha; Remnant 2021 98000 ha |
| Short description | Archidendropsis basaltica and/or Acacia aneura +/- Corymbia terminalis low woodland on sand sheets |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Archidendropsis basaltica and/or Acacia aneura low woodland. Other common tree species include Grevillea striata, Atalaya hemiglauca, Flindersia maculosa. Emergent Corymbia terminalis commonly occurs. Scattered shrubs are usually present but rarely form a well-defined layer. The ground layer is open and usually dominated by tussock or hummock grasses, with forbs being frequent. Occurs on flat to gently sloping, Quaternary sand sheets overlying Tertiary and Cretaceous sediments. Soils moderately sandy red earths, deep, sandy texture contrast soils and some minor sandy light clays. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 23a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 4.5.4a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 4.5.4. Acacia aneura dominated low open woodland. Occurs of flat to gently undulating sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 23b). |
| Supplementary description | Mills (1980), S2 (6); Neldner (1991), 13 (2); Turner et al. (1993), S1, S2 (52) |
| Protected areas | Lochern NP, Bladensburg NP |
| Special values | 4.5.4: Potentially supports a high floristic and faunal diversity. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: During the wet season to early dry season while soil retains moisture. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. Spinifex communities may naturally burn with a higher severity in some areas. INTERVAL: Broad fire interval range 10-15 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 10. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Apply mosaic across the landscape at a range of frequencies to create varying stages of post-fire response. Wet season burning can be undertaken as a series of small burns throughout the wet season. Ensure some areas are left long unburnt (>15 years) but not so they promote wildfire. Mosaic 20-60% burn. ISSUES: Acacias germinate infrequently following high rainfall events, mature slowly and are long-lived. Acacias are vulnerable to frequent and high-severity fires. |
| Comments | 4.5.4: Mainly occurs on plains adjacent to the Thomson River. Vegetation community 4.5.4a has been amalgamated into this regional ecosystem. Ground layer highly modified due to total grazing pressure and extensive invasion by buffel grass *Cenchrus ciliaris. Density of Acacia aneura reduced in some areas by cutting for drought feeding and regular burning to promote new grass growth. |
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.
2 Superseded: Revision of the regional ecosystem classification removed this regional ecosystem code from use. It is included in the regional ecosystem description database because the RE code may appear in older versions of RE mapping and the Vegetation Management regulation.
