Regional ecosystem details for 7.3.44
| Regional ecosystem | 7.3.44 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Endangered |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 2, 8, 9, (3), (6), (3.2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 2000 ha; Remnant 2021 600 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus leptophleba, Corymbia clarksoniana open forest to woodland on alluvium in near-coastal areas with moderate rainfall |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Eucalyptus leptophleba and/or Corymbia clarksoniana usually dominate the mid-dense canopy (mean height of 18 m). Eucalyptus platyphylla is frequently a co-dominant tree, and E. portuensis and Lophostemon suaveolens are sometimes present in the canopy. Melaleuca viridiflora and Acacia leptocarpa dominate the sparse sub-canopy (8.3 m tall,) with Planchonia careya and A. flavescens also frequently present. A sparse shrub/low tree layer (up to 2.5m tall) is usually present, and contains immature canopy and sub-canopy tree species, and frequently other Acacia species and Alphitonia excelsa. The dense ground layer is usually dominated by the grasses Imperata cylindrica and/or Themeda triandra. The graminoids Paspalidium distans, Chrysopogon fallax, Fimbristylis depauperata and F. dichotoma, forbs Brunoniella acaulis, Flemingia parviflora and Pycnospora lutescens, and grass tree Xanthorrhoea johnsonii are frequently present in the ground layer. Alluvium, in near-coastal areas with moderate rainfall. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9b). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), A34; Tracey and Webb (1975), 16h |
| Protected areas | Girringun NP, Macalister Range NP, Ngalba-bulal NP (CYPAL), Daintree NP (CYPAL), Annan River (Yuku Baja-Muliku) RR, Kuranda NP, Macalister Range FR |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Cool, dry season (April-Sep). INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: 2-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. 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. 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. |
| Comments | 7.3.44: Mainly north of Cairns on the coastal plains. One small outlier in the far south near Cardwell. |
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.
