Regional ecosystem details for 4.5.9
| Regional ecosystem | 4.5.9 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, 5, (10.4), (11.26) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 27000 ha; Remnant 2021 17000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia cambagei, Archidendropsis basaltica and mixed species open woodland on Quaternary sand sheets |
| Structure code | Open Woodland |
| Description | Mixed open woodland, including combinations of the species Archidendropsis basaltica, Atalaya hemiglauca, Acacia cambagei, Eremophila mitchellii, Ventilago viminalis and commonly with emergent Eucalyptus populnea and/or Corymbia tessellaris. There is usually a well-developed low shrub layer dominated by species such as Acacia excelsa, Capparis anomala, Capparis lasiantha, Carissa ovata and Denhamia oleaster. The ground layer is generally sparse and dominated by grasses such as Aristida holathera var. holathera, A. jerichoensis, Enteropogon acicularis. Occurs on Quaternary sand sheets (old levee material) overlying recent alluvium. Associated soils are usually very deep, texture contrast usually with course sand to course sandy loam surfaces and sometimes deep to very deep uniform sandy soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 26a). |
| Supplementary description | Mills (1980), S5 (92); Turner et al. (1978), S1 (85) |
| Special values | 4.5.9: Ecosystem with high floristic diversity. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Wet to early dry season when soil is moist. INTENSITY: Low. INTERVAL: Broad interval range of 6-10 years. 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. Introduced invasive grasses (e.g., buffel Cenchrus ciliaris) may increase the risk and severity of fires. |
| Comments | 4.5.9: Ground layer has been extensively invaded by buffel grass *Cenchrus ciliaris. |
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.
