Regional ecosystem details for 6.9.3
| Regional ecosystem | 6.9.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 9, 4.4, 6, 8, (4), (11.26) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 110000 ha; Remnant 2021 49000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia harpophylla low woodland with emergent Eucalyptus cambageana with stony soils derived from Cretaceous sediments |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Acacia harpophylla low woodland to tall shrubland. Emergent Eucalyptus cambageana or E. thozetiana may occur. Other canopy species include E. populnea, Atalaya hemiglauca and Flindersia maculosa. A shrub layer may occur, including Geijera parviflora, Alectryon oleifolius, Capparis loranthifolia, Eremophila mitchellii and E. deserti. The ground layer is typically tussock grasses, including Enteropogon acicularis, Paspalidium caespitosum, P. constrictum, Eragrostis lacunaria, Sporobolus actinocladus and S. caroli. A variety of forbs occur infrequently. Occurs on the valley floors or sloping plains at the base of scarp retreat zones formed from Cretaceous sediments often with a covering of redistributed Quaternary deposits derived from erosion of the Tertiary land surface. Soils are generally shallow gravelly yellowish lithosols or sometimes moderately deep to deep reddish brown, texture contrast to red cracking clay, with hard setting clay loam surfaces. There is often a dense surface stone cover. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 25a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 6.9.3x50: Acacia harpophylla low woodland, commonly with A. cambagei and A. aneura. Occasional canopy species include Flindersia maculosa, Atalaya hemiglauca, Ventilago viminalis and Lysiphyllum carronii. Emergent Eucalyptus cambageana, E. thozetiana or E. populnea may occur. A shrub layer may occur, including Eremophila mitchellii, Geijera parviflora and Alectryon oleifolius. The ground layer is typically tussock grasses, including Enteropogon acicularis, Paspalidium spp., Eragrostis lacunaria and Sporobolus spp. Occurs on outwash deposits of eroded lateritic and transported material in the north of the bioregion. Red loams to clay loams with lateritic gravel throughout the profile. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 25a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1984), 28 (Association 126); Mills (1980), G4 (LU 48, 49), R1 (LU 48); Mills and Lee (1990), R1 (LU57) |
| Protected areas | Idalia NP |
| Special values | 6.9.3: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Eremophila stenophylla, Rhaphidospora bonneyana. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not target for fires. Control fuel loads in the surrounding vegetation. Can tolerate only very early dry season fires, under mild conditions, that trickle along the ground layer. ISSUES: Brigalow is soft-seeded, so germination is not promoted by fire. Brigalow is only tolerant of mild fires trickling underneath, and can be damaged or killed by moderate to high intensity fires. Exotic grasses, such as Buffel grass, carry intense fires into these communities and can cause tree deaths. Control of fuel loads in the surrounding vegetation is important. |
| Comments | 6.9.3: Has been cleared in some areas. Condition assessed as fair with a downward trend (Mills 1980) due to scalding and large amount of bare ground. 6.9.3x50: Previously mapped as part of 6.9.3. x50 denotes change of land zone (land zone 5). Has been cleared in some areas. |
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.
