Regional ecosystem details for 6.7.7
| Regional ecosystem | 6.7.7 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 9, 10, 6, (8), (4.4), (5.5), (5.6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 449000 ha; Remnant 2021 422000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia catenulata +/- Eucalyptus thozetiana and/or A. ensifolia low woodland and/or A. petraea +/- A. aneura on lateritic scarps and plateaus |
| Structure code | Low Open Woodland |
| Description | Acacia catenulata or Acacia petraea low woodland. Other Acacia spp. may occur in the canopy. Emergent Eucalyptus thozetiana, E. exserta or E. melanophloia may occur. A. ensifolia may co-dominate in some western areas. A shrub layer may occur, including Senna spp. Eremophila latrobei, Dodonaea sinuolata subsp. acrodentata and D. petiolaris. The ground layer is tussock grasses and forbs, including Eriachne mucronata, Aristida nitidula, A. caput-medusae, Thyridolepis mitchelliana, Paspalidium spp., Urochloa foliosa, Amphipogon caricinus and Eragrostis lacunaria. Occurs on the scarp retreats and flat tops of dissected lateritic tablelands, mesas and buttes. Soils are red, loamy lithosols with surface cover of stone and rubble and with large areas of exposed weathered rock. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 6.7.7a: Acacia petraea tall shrubland to tall open shrubland. There are frequently scattered emergent Eucalyptus melanophloia trees or Acacia aneura, E. exserta tall shrubs. A lower shrub layer may occur, including Dodonaea sinuolata subsp. acrodentata, D. petiolaris, Senna spp. Eremophila latrobei and Prostanthera suborbicularis. Acacia sparsiflora may replace A. petraea in eastern areas. Other shrubs may occur, including Acacia aprepta, Acalypha eremorum, Croton phebalioides and Carissa ovata. The ground layer is dominated by perennial tussock grasses, including Eriachne mucronata, Aristida nitidula and A. caput-medusae, Thyridolepis mitchelliana, Amphipogon caricinus, Eragrostis lacunaria and Paspalidium caespitosum. Occurs on scarps of lateritic plateaus. Associated soils are gravelly lithosols. Stone and boulder pavements with extensive areas of exposed rock are characteristic. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1984), 45; Mills (1980), R1 (LU 31, 26); Mills and Lee (1990), R2 (LU 56) |
| Protected areas | Idalia NP, Welford NP, Hell Hole Gorge NP, Mariala NP |
| Special values | 6.7.7: Habitat for fauna of conservation significance, yellow-footed rock wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus celeris) and threatened flora Melaleuca kunzeoides. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Various (wet season or winter). INTENSITY: Low to 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 fuel loads and protect against severe wildfire. Burn with high soil moisture (i.e., after rain/storms) or in winter. ISSUES: Some Acacias can be fire sensitive (A. shirleyi, A. aneura) and may be killed by high intensity fire. There is rarely enough fuel load to burn in these ecosystems. |
| Comments | 6.7.7: On the edges of some scarps, Archidendropsis basaltica may occur. Associated with opal mining. Areas are usually unstable with natural erosion occurring (Mills 1980). |
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.
