Regional ecosystem details for 5.6.1
| Regional ecosystem | 5.6.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 5, 2, 3, 11, (7), (10), (6), (4), (8), (6.10), (9), (13), (4.2), (4.1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 292000 ha; Remnant 2021 292000 ha |
| Short description | Crotalaria eremaea +/- Eragrostis eriopoda sparse to open herbland on isolated and/or deflated sand dunes on alluvium |
| Structure code | Open Forbland |
| Description | Crotalaria eremaea sparse to open herbland commonly with Eragrostis eriopoda. Floristic composition and cover is variable depending on seasonal conditions and may include Salsola australis, Tribulus terrestris, Eriachne aristidea, Eragrostis basedowii, and Glinus lotoides. Large areas may be devoid of vegetation. Occasional stunted trees such as Hakea leucoptera, Owenia acidula, Atalaya hemiglauca, Ventilago viminalis, Clerodendrum floribundum or Acacia aneura may occur as well as occasional scattered shrubs such as Gunniopsis quadrifida or Eremophila macdonnellii, Acacia ligulata and Senna spp. Occurs on rounded and mobile crests and flanks of isolated and/or deflated dunes 5-10 metres high, formed from Quaternary aeolian sands overlying alluvia. Associated soils are very deep, acid to neutral, yellow siliceous sands. Clay content increases down the slope. Soils are loose at the crests and form crusts down the slope. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 5.6.1x1: Gunniopsis quadrifida open succulent shrubland commonly with Eremophila obovata. Eremophila macdonnellii and various Senna spp. can also be locally common. In areas Hakea Leucoptera may form an open shrubland. The ground layer is seasonably variable, but usually dominated by Aristida holathera var. holathera and a variety of forbs including Gnephosis eriocarpa, Rhodanthe moschata, Scaevola parvibarbata, Senecio gregorii and Abutilon otocarpum. Asteraceae spp. are conspicuous in places following favourable seasons. Surface undulation is common with many small scalds/clay pans. Deflated low sandy rises on the interface of flood plains and dune fields. Usually found on the eastern side of flood plains and large lake beds adjacent to sand dunes. Locally undulating with numerous small scalds/pans. Yellow to white sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 41b (111); Boyland (1984), 30c; Dawson (1974), D5 (10, 11); Wilson and Purdie (1990a), D2, (4); Mills (1980), D3 (3) |
| Protected areas | Munga-Thirri NP, Diamantina NP, Welford NP |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Exclude fire. ISSUES: Unlikely to burn in any case due to low fuel loads. |
| Comments | 5.6.1: Most commonly occurs on isolated and/or deflated dunes associated with the Cooper Creek floodplain and its margins. Heavily grazed by rabbits. Composition of vegetation seasonally dependent. Asteraceae conspicuous in places following favourable seasons. A variation occurs where Grevillea stenobotrya becomes predominant forming a tall open shrubland. Naturalised species associated with this regional ecosystem include *Portulaca oleracea. 5.6.1x1: Found mostly in west. Can be heavily grazed by stock given that it is associated with the margins of flood plains and large lakes. Asteraceae conspicuous in places following favourable seasons. Can also be invaded by buffel grass. |
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.
