Regional ecosystem details for 7.3.16
| Regional ecosystem | 7.3.16 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Contains Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 1, (8), (6), (5), (2), (9), (11.1), (9.4), (3.2), (9.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 37000 ha; Remnant 2021 16000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus platyphylla woodland to open forest on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Eucalyptus platyphylla (poplar gum) woodland to open forest, on alluvial plains. Gently sloping to flat, moderately to poorly drained alluvial lowlands, foot slopes and piedmont fans. Contains Palustrine. (BVG1M: 9b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 7.3.16a: Eucalyptus platyphylla, Corymbia clarksoniana, Lophostemon suaveolens woodland, or E. platyphylla, L. suaveolens, C. tessellaris open forest to woodland. Lowland alluvium of the moist zone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9b). 7.3.16b: Eucalyptus platyphylla, Lophostemon suaveolens, Corymbia clarksoniana, C. tessellaris open forest with a prominent shrub layer of Acacia spp., Planchonia careya, +/- vine forest elements. Prior streams or areas of better-drained soils on lowland alluvium. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9b). 7.3.16c: Eucalyptus platyphylla grassy woodland to open woodland. Alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9b). 7.3.16d: Lophostemon suaveolens, Eucalyptus platyphylla, Corymbia tessellaris, Melaleuca viridiflora, M. dealbata woodland and open forest, with Imperata cylindrica and Crinum sp. Swampy drainage lines and swamp fringes in upland situations. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 9e). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), A16p, A16ps, A42; Kemp and Morgan (1999), 33; Kemp et al. (1999), 26, 27, 30 (part) 33; Tracey and Webb: 16p, 19 |
| Protected areas | Girringun NP, Kuranda NP, Paluma Range NP, Kuranda West FR, Koombooloomba South FR, Macalister Range NP, Mowbray NP, Annan River (Yuku Baja-Muliku) NP |
| Special values | 7.3.16: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Habenaria rumphii, Myrmecodia beccarii. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Cool, dry season (June-Sep). c: Begin burning after the wet season (April-May), but avoid hot, dry season unless a high intensity fire is required to manage thickening, then undertake storm burn. d: Do not burn deliberately. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. c: Low, with occasional moderate or high intensity to manage thickening and/or stimulate germination. d: Do not burn deliberately. INTERVAL: 2-5 years. d: Do not burn deliberately. INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Mosaic burn < 30%. Begin burning early in the fire season, with progressive patch fires burnt through the year. Stop burning when the network of fires and other breaks is sufficient to impede fire spread later in the year. Storm-burning may be used to add further diversity to the fire mosaic. c: Mosaic burn 25-60%. Begin burning early in the fire season, with progressive patch fires burnt through the year. Stop burning when the network of fires and other breaks is sufficient to impede fire spread later in the year. Storm-burning may be used to add further diversity to fire mosaic, promote perennial grasses and arrest woody thickening. d: Do not burn deliberately. Limit fire encroachment from adjacent ecosystems by burning when conditions are favourable. Burn away from edges. ISSUES: Ignition is most likely during hot, dry season (Oct - Jan). These fires are typically high intensity fires that can be difficult to control. Maintaining a fire mosaic will ensure protection of animal habitats and mitigate against wildfires. c: In the absence of fire an abundance of rainforest pioneers (e.g., Melastoma spp., Chionanthus ramiflora, Mallotus philippensis, Alyxia spicata and Glochidion spp.) and bracken fern can establish. This development can be rapid (within about 15 years) after which system change is difficult to reverse. Thickening with rainforest species can be detrimental to habitat trees and endangered species (e.g., mahogany glider). Where fire is more common the understorey is usually dominated by tall grasses (e.g., Themeda triandra and Eriachne pallescens), herbaceous plants, lilies and sedges (e.g., Tricoryne anceps, Gonocarpus acanthocarpus, Lomandra longifolia, Dianella caerulea). d: Most plant species in this ecosystem are fire sensitive. Inappropriate fire may affect sensitive trees (e.g., coastal she-oaks), remove habitat trees, remove structurally complex understorey or promote weed invasion and erosion. |
| Comments | 7.3.16: Widespread across the bioregion but most common in the Herbert subregion. Mostly in very poor condition with severe infestations of Chrysopogon aciculatus (Mackie's pest), Mimosa pudica (sensitive weed) and other weeds, particularly in areas with a history of cattle grazing (including State Forests). Severely affected by soil compaction in the dry season. Areas south of Crystal Creek are generally in good condition and should be considered for addition to the protected area estate. 7.3.16b: Closely allied to type A144 and A164. |
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.
