Regional ecosystem details for 5.6.8
| Regional ecosystem | 5.6.8 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 10, 7, 2, (12), (5), (1), (11), (8), (3), (4), (13), (4.2), (4.1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 379000 ha; Remnant 2021 378000 ha |
| Short description | Zygochloa paradoxa and/or Crotalaria eremaea +/- Triodia basedowii open tussock grassland and herbland on mobile crests and slopes of sand dunes |
| Structure code | Open Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Zygochloa paradoxa open tussock grassland and/or Crotalaria eremaea sparse herbland usually both with Triodia basedowii. Sparsely scattered low shrubs may be present. The ground between the tussocks/ hummocks and shrubs is usually bare, excepting when ephemeral herbs become seasonally abundant. Occurs on mobile crests and loose sandy slopes of Quaternary sand dunes. Soils very deep, white, yellow and red siliceous sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 5.6.8a: Zygochloa paradoxa predominates forming an open tussock grassland. Scattered hummocks of Triodia basedowii may be frequent. Sparsely scattered low shrubs and tall forbs are usually present with Crotalaria cunninghamii, Crotalaria eremaea. Acacia ligulata, Lechenaultia divaricata and Calotis erinacea being the most frequent. The ground between the hummocks and shrubs is variable in cover and floristics depending on seasonal conditions with Aristida holathera var. holathera, Euphorbia wheeleri and Cullen pallidum common. Occurs on mobile crests and slopes of Quaternary sand dunes. Soils very deep, white, yellow and red siliceous sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33a). 5.6.8b: Crotalaria eremaea sparse to open herbland commonly with Eragrostis eriopoda. Cover and floristic composition dependent on seasonal conditions large areas may be devoid of vegetation, includes Tribulus terrestris, Aristida holathera, Eriachne aristidea, Eragrostis basedowii, Glinus lotoides, Blennodia pterosperma, Nicotiana velutina. Occasional scattered trees or shrubs such as Atalaya hemiglauca Grevillea stenobotrya, Acacia ligulata, Acacia murrayana, Acacia tetragonophylla or Clerodendrum floribundum may occur. Occurs on mobile crests and slopes of Quaternary sand dunes. Soils very deep, white, yellow and red siliceous sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 41a (109); Boyland (1984), 24; Wilson and Purdie (1990a), D1, D2 (2); Dawson (1974), D1, D2 (14). |
| Protected areas | Munga-Thirri NP, Diamantina NP |
| Special values | 5.6.8: Habitat for the endemic eyrean grass wren Amytornis goyderi and threatened fauna species including the dusky hopping mouse Notomys fuscus, mulgara Dasycercus cristicauda and plant species including Acacia peuce. 5.6.8a: Habitat for the endemic eyrean grass wren Amytornis goyderi and threatened fauna species including the dusky hopping mouse Notomys fuscus, mulgara Dasycercus cristicauda and flora species. 5.6.8b: Habitat for the endemic eyrean grass wren Amytornis goyderi and threatened fauna species including the dusky hopping mouse Notomys fuscus, mulgara Dasycercus cristicauda and flora species. |
| 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 | 5.6.8: Heavily grazed by rabbits. 5.6.8a: Heavily grazed by rabbits. 5.6.8b: Heavily grazed by rabbits. |
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.
