Regional ecosystem details for 7.3.32
| Regional ecosystem | 7.3.32 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Endangered |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 1, 5, (2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 12000 ha; Remnant 2021 50 ha |
| Short description | Imperata cylindrica and/or Sorghum nitidum and/or Mnesithea rottboellioides and/or Themeda triandra closed tussock grassland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Closed Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Imperata cylindrica (blady grass) and/or Sorghum nitidum (native sorghum) and/or Mnesithea rottboellioides (northern canegrass) and/or Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass) closed tussock grassland. Moderately to well-drained alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 7.3.32a: Imperata cylindrica and/or Sorghum nitidum and/or Mnesithea rottboellioides closed grassland. Moderately to well-drained alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). 7.3.32b: Grassland dominated by Themeda triandra. Moderately to well-drained alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), A86, A59; Kemp and Morgan (1999), 16; Kemp et al. (1999), 8, 15; Tracey and Webb (1975), 23a |
| Protected areas | Paluma Range NP |
| Special values | 7.3.32: Remnants of a once-widespread lowlands ecosystem in Australia, of which only 0.5% is considered to remain (Kirkpatrick et al., 1995). Essential habitat for Tyto longimembris (eastern grass owl) which is possibly declining. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Aug-Dec. INTENSITY: Moderate, sometimes high. INTERVAL: 3-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 3. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Apply mosaic burning at a range of frequencies to create patches of varying post-fire age. Burn at least 25% of these communities over the WET in any year. ISSUES: Grasslands and sedgelands have different fire regimes, but since they are frequently contiguous application of regimes can be difficult. Favourable conditions for burning native grasslands are rare, so opportunities should be taken when they arise. |
| Comments | 7.3.32: Formerly extensive on the coastal lowlands, particularly on the Herbert and Tully river floodplains. Now very close to extinction. Rare and scattered across coastal plains from Bluewater to Tully, formerly much more extensive ranging as far north as Cairns and once very common in the Herbert and Tully subregions. A remnant at the Ingham Airport reserve is in poor condition but retains good cover of blady grass in places, and harbours other native grass, sedge and herb species. All other remnants of Imperata dominated grasslands are apparently extremely degraded. The Themeda grasslands, though naturally very rare, have fared better, and the example in Clemant State Forest is in good condition. |
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.
