Regional ecosystem details for 5.7.3
| Regional ecosystem | 5.7.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, (6.9), (4.5), (4.4), (5), (4.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 325000 ha; Remnant 2021 324000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus normantonensis tall open mallee shrubland with Triodia spp. on slopes and plateau margins of residuals |
| Structure code | Tall Shrubland |
| Description | Eucalyptus normantonensis tall open mallee shrubland. Scattered shrubs may occur but do not form a conspicuous layer. Triodia spp. generally dominate the open to mid-dense ground layer, with Triodia molesta dominant on the upper slopes, and Triodia longiceps, Triodia pungens and in places, Triodia brizoides dominating the lower slopes. Other grasses and forbs may be present depending on seasonal conditions and degree of disturbance. Occurs on plateau margins and slopes of dissected residuals of deeply weathered Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments. Soils very shallow, stony lithosols with areas of weathered rock outcropping. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 5.7.3x1: Eucalyptus socialis subsp. eucentrica tall open mallee shrubland. Scattered shrubs may occur but do not form a conspicuous layer. Triodia spp. generally dominate the open to mid-dense ground layer, with Triodia molesta dominant on the upper slopes, and Triodia longiceps, Triodia pungens and in places, Triodia brizoides dominating the lower slopes. Other grasses and forbs may be present depending on seasonal conditions and degree of disturbance. Occurs on plateau margins and slopes of dissected residuals of deeply weathered Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments. Soils very shallow, stony lithosols with areas of weathered rock outcropping. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 30a (38); Wilson and Purdie (1990a), R1 (22); Turner et al. (1978), R2, R3 (38) |
| Protected areas | Bladensburg NP, Diamantina NP, Goneaway NP, Welford NP, Pullen Pullen SWR, Lark Quarry CP |
| Special values | 5.7.3: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Ptilotus maconochiei, Solanum unispinum. 5.7.3x1: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Ptilotus maconochiei, Solanum unispinum. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Various (storm season / wet season or winter). INTENSITY: Low - moderate. INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Aim to exclude fire by fuel reduction in adjacent vegetation communities where possible. Undertake partial burns when necessary to reduce spinifex (and other) fuel loads and protect against severe wildfire. Burn with high soil moisture (i.e., after rain/storms) or in winter to reduce Triodia spp. dominance where necessary. ISSUES: To manage the spread of the highly flammable Triodia spp., winter and/or wet/storm season fire can be used. Note some Acacias can be fire sensitive (e.g., A. shirleyi, A. aneura) and may be killed by high intensity fires. Winter burns may favour shrubs over Triodia spp. and thus change the ground layer composition over time. Due to the sparse nature of the spinifex in these ecosystems, there is rarely enough fuel load to burn. |
| Comments | 5.7.3: Requires burning in a mosaic pattern to maintain biodiversity. 5.7.3x1: Requires burning in a mosaic pattern to maintain biodiversity. |
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.
