Regional ecosystem details for 5.6.7
| Regional ecosystem | 5.6.7 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, 10, (2), (5), (6.10), (4.1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 162000 ha; Remnant 2021 162000 ha |
| Short description | Triodia basedowii hummock grassland +/- Eucalyptus pachyphylla on low sand dunes and sand plains |
| Structure code | Hummock Grassland |
| Description | Triodia basedowii hummock grassland commonly with scattered Eucalyptus pachyphylla which may form a low open mallee woodland in places. Scattered shrubs are frequent. The ground between the Triodia basedowii hummocks is variable in cover and floristics depending on seasonal conditions includes Aristida holathera var. holathera, Eragrostis eriopoda. Occurs on level aeolian sand plains and low stable dune systems. Soils very deep, sandy red earths and red siliceous sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 37b, 37c (108); Boyland (1984), 23; Wilson and Purdie (1990a), S1 (6) |
| Protected areas | Munga-Thirri NP |
| Special values | 5.6.7: Habitat for small reptiles and threatened fauna species including the night parrot Pezoporus occidentalis. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Storm season / wet season. INTENSITY: Low - moderate. INTERVAL: Minimum 5-6 years but require patches with greater fire intervals in the mosaic. INTERVAL_MIN: 5. INTERVAL_MAX: 6. STRATEGY: Maintenance of a multi-aged mosaic of spinifex communities should protect these fire tolerant ecosystems and adjacent ecosystems which may not be so tolerant of burning. Burn with good soil moisture. Under hot and dry conditions, fires can be fierce in these ecosystems. ISSUES: Ensure multi-aged mosaic maintained at a landscape level, including long unburnt patches e.g., both large, mature clumps (to approximately 10 years old) and also areas of over-mature and senescent plants (> approximately 10 years old). Burning too much and this reducing ground cover for long periods, may promote sand shift. Winter burns may favour shrubs over Triodia spp. and thus change the ground layer over time. |
| Comments | 5.6.7: East of Georgina River and along Gnallan-a-gea Creek in Simpson Desert. Requires burning in a mosaic pattern to maintain habitat values. |
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.
