Regional ecosystem details for 6.5.5
| Regional ecosystem | 6.5.5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 1, 2 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 258000 ha; Remnant 2021 57000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus intertexta +/- E. populnea, Acacia aneura woodland on sand sheets in the east |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus intertexta woodland, commonly with E. populnea. Other canopy species include Acacia excelsa, Brachychiton populneus and Eucalyptus melanophloia. A secondary tree layer usually occurs, including Acacia aneura, Callitris glaucophylla and Geijera parviflora. A shrub layer commonly occurs, including Capparis lasiantha, Eremophila mitchellii, Alectryon oleifolius and Senna artemisioides. The ground layer is typically dominated by perennial grasses, including Aristida spp. and Thyridolepis spp. Occurs on flat to gently undulating sand sheets in the east of the bioregion. The soils are either deep, loamy red earths, or deep texture contrast soils with a sandy surface horizon overlying a medium clay subsoil. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17a). |
| Supplementary description | Galloway et al. (1974), LU51, 49 (in part); Neldner (1984), 25b (50) |
| Protected areas | Thrushton NP |
| Special values | 6.5.5: High fauna diversity. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late wet/dry season when there is good soil moisture. Early storm season or after good spring rains. INTENSITY: Various. INTERVAL: 3-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 3. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Burn less than 30% in any year. Burn under conditions of good soil moisture and when plants are actively growing. ISSUES: 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 | 6.5.5: There is a wide variation in structure of the Acacia aneura mid-layer associated with past management history. Extensively cleared. Many areas have been invaded by the exotic pasture species buffel grass *Cenchrus ciliaris, particularly in areas that have been cleared or where the understorey has been removed. |
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.
