Regional ecosystem details for 6.5.19
| Regional ecosystem | 6.5.19 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 3, 5, 1, 2, (4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 92000 ha; Remnant 2021 76000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus melanophloia, Acacia aneura, Angophora melanoxylon and E. chloroclada in mixed low woodlands on degraded deposits of aeolian sands east of the Warrego River |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Mixed low woodland to woodland, including a combination of the species Eucalyptus melanophloia, Acacia aneura, Angophora melanoxylon, E. chloroclada and Callitris glaucophylla. Other canopy species include Corymbia clarksoniana and Brachychiton populneus. A shrub layer commonly occurs, including Acacia spp., Grevillea juncifolia and Geijera parviflora. The ground layer is typically dominated by Triodia mitchellii, with smaller areas of tussock grasses. Occurs on degraded deposits of aeolian sands east of the Warrego River. Deep, red to red-brown loamy sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 6.5.19a: Eucalyptus socialis subsp. socialis low open woodland (to mallee woodland). Occurs on sandy deposits. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18a). 6.5.19x1: Allocasuarina inophloia and/or Eucalyptus ammophila tall open shrubland. Emergent Acacia aneura and Eucalyptus melanophloia may occur. A diverse, heathy shrub layer commonly occurs, including Acacia spp., Calytrix longiflora, Dodonaea spp., Grevillea juncifolia and Xanthorrhoea johnsonii. The ground layer is a combination of Triodia mitchellii and tussock grasses. Occurs on degraded deposits of aeolian sands east of the Warrego River. Deep, red sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18a). |
| Supplementary description | Galloway et al. (1974), LU 45; Neldner (1984), 30 (145) |
| Protected areas | Thrushton NP |
| Special values | 6.5.19x1: Supports high floristic and faunal diversity, and several plant species at the western limits of their geographical range such as Xanthorrhoea johnsonii, Eucalyptus ammophila and Allocasuarina inophloia. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late wet/early dry season when there is good soil moisture. Early storm season or after good spring rains. a: Late wet/dry season when there is good soil moisture. Early storm season or after good spring rains. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. a: Various. INTERVAL: 6-10 years. a: 3-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 3. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Burn less than 10-30% in any year to achieve a mosaic. Burn under conditions of good soil moisture and when plants are actively growing. Protection relies on broad-scale management of surrounding country with numerous small fires throughout the year so that wildfires will be very limited in extent. a: Burn less than 30% in any year. Burn under conditions of good soil moisture and when plants are actively growing. ISSUES: Cypress is killed by fire and regenerates from canopy stored seed (obligate seeder). It reaches reproductive age at about 6 years. Fire frequency less than 6-8 years will reduce cypress, but long fire interval will lead to cypress dominance and eucalypt suppression. Fuel reduction burns will help restrict incursions by high intensity wildfires that kill cypress. Fire after good spring rain has the potential to burn severely if there is no follow-up rain and re-lights occur. a: Avoid fires at the hottest and/or driest time of the year, when the extent of fires cannot be controlled. Low intensity fires with good soil moisture will be useful in reducing fuel loads and fire spread in later fires. Moderate fires may assist in regeneration of hard-seeded spp. Brigalow is soft-seeded, so germination is not promoted by fire. Casuarina cristata is fire sensitive, although germination can be good in bare areas. Best protection from wildfires is probably the creation of a multi-aged mosaic and perimeter burning. Fire increases risk from invasion by buffel grass. These REs often make up shade lines in paddocks and are heavily grazed. |
| Comments | 6.5.19x1: The structure of this community is greatly affected by fire frequency, becoming more open and shrubby with higher fire frequencies. |
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.
