Regional ecosystem details for 7.3.42
| Regional ecosystem | 7.3.42 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 4, (6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 100 ha; Remnant 2021 80 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus grandis open forest to woodland (or vine forest with emergent E. grandis) on alluvium |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Eucalyptus grandis (rose gum) open forest to woodland (or vine forest with emergent E. grandis). Alluvium. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 7.3.42a: Eucalyptus grandis tall open forest and woodland. Alluvium. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). 7.3.42b: Eucalyptus grandis tall open forest and woodland with a well-developed vine forest understorey. Alluvium. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), A56, A56v; Tracey and Webb (1975), 13c, 14a |
| Protected areas | Baldy Mountain FR, Tumoulin NP, Koombooloomba NP, Tully Falls NP, Herberton Range NP |
| Special values | 7.3.42: Important habitat for arboreal mammals. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: After the wet season when rain is reliably expected and there is good soil moisture. Burning in the dry season (Oct-Dec) will give high intensity fires. INTENSITY: Low to moderate with occasional high to control overabundance of tree recruitment in mid-stratum. INTERVAL: 3-5 years for grassy understorey. 6-10 years for shrubby understorey. INTERVAL_MIN: 3. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Aim for a good fire coverage to limit forest transitioning. Do not target moist areas, such as in or near gullies as these will provide a mosaic of denser vegetation and refuge for some plant species. ISSUES: High intensity fires can be used to control an over-abundance of mid-storey recruitment; once controlled return to normal fire regime. Follow-up fires may be required to control more advanced tree recruitment (e.g., of rainforest pioneers). |
| Comments | 7.3.42: This regional ecosystem includes examples with a well-developed rainforest understorey. Central-western parts of the bioregion in the vicinity of the Atherton Tablelands. This ecosystem is threatened by rainforest invasion that is preventing regeneration of the eucalypts and in many places is in irreversible transition to rainforest. 7.3.42b: Well-developed vine forest understorey is probably a condition state caused by infrequent burning. |
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.
