Regional ecosystem details for 6.7.6
| Regional ecosystem | 6.7.6 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 9, 8, 6, (4.4), (4), (10), (5.5), (5), (11.26) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 175000 ha; Remnant 2021 136000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus thozetiana +/- Acacia aneura open woodland on scarps and slopes |
| Structure code | Open Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus thozetiana open woodland, occasionally with E. cambageana. Acacia microsperma may form a lower tree layer, particularly on the lower slopes of dissected valleys or scarp retreat zones. A. aneura commonly occurs as scattered individuals. The dominant shrub species are Eremophila mitchellii and Dodonaea spp. The ground layer is dominated by tussock grasses. Frequent species include Enteropogon acicularis, Eragrostis lacunaria, Dinebra decipiens, Paspalidium caespitosum and Sporobolus caroli. Occurs on lower slopes and scarps of dissected tablelands, mesas and buttes. Soils are shallow, stony lithosols, often with silcrete and ferricrete stone on the surface. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 6.7.6x50: Eucalyptus thozetiana and/or E. cambageana woodland. A secondary tree layer commonly occurs, including Acacia microsperma and A. aneura. A shrub layer may occur, including Eremophila mitchellii and Dodonaea spp. The ground layer is seasonally variable, with tussock grasses and forbs. Occurs on outwash deposits of eroded lateritic and transported material. Red earths and loams. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). |
| Supplementary description | Mills and Lee (1990), R2 (LU 59); Neldner (1984), 35a, 35b |
| Protected areas | Mariala NP, Idalia NP, Welford NP, Hell Hole Gorge NP |
| Special values | 6.7.6: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Indigofera oxyrachis, Rhaphidospora bonneyana. |
| 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 | 6.7.6: This regional ecosystem extends onto undulating plains which include small areas of Cretaceous sediments (land zone 9). Areas where this regional ecosystem occur are unstable being prone to erosion where ground cover is not maintained or run-off is not minimised (Mills and Lee 1990). |
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.
