Regional ecosystem details for 7.3.45
| Regional ecosystem | 7.3.45 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 1, 2, (8), (4), (6), (5), (9), (11.1), (3), (7), (9.4), (9.6), (9.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 33000 ha; Remnant 2021 11000 ha |
| Short description | Corymbia clarksoniana +/- C. tessellaris +/- E. drepanophylla open forest to open woodland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- C. tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash) +/- E. drepanophylla (ironbark) open forest to open woodland. Alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 7.3.45a: Eucalyptus drepanophylla, Corymbia clarksoniana, +/- E. platyphylla, +/- C. tessellaris, +/- C. dallachiana woodland to open forest. Lowland alluvial plains of southern, drier areas. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). 7.3.45b: Corymbia clarksoniana woodland to open forest. May include small areas of Acacia leptostachya shrubland. Alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). 7.3.45c: Corymbia clarksoniana and C. tessellaris +/- E. tereticornis +/- E. platyphylla +/- Lophostemon suaveolens +/- Melaleuca dealbata +/- C. dallachiana woodland. Alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). 7.3.45d: Corymbia tessellaris, C. intermedia, C. clarksoniana grassy woodland, open woodland and sparse woodland occurring only on the Palm Islands. Alluvial fans. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). 7.3.45e: Woodland with Corymbia clarksoniana in the Cowie Point and Duncans Flat area. Alluvium. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). 7.3.45f: Corymbia clarksoniana dense open forest, with Melaleuca dealbata, Eucalyptus platyphylla, C. tessellaris, Lophostemon suaveolens, and occasionally E. pellita. Dense secondary tree layer of Alphitonia excelsa, Acacia oraria, A. mangium, A. crassicarpa, A. flavescens, Pandanus sp., and Planchonia careya. (This vegetation community is practically extinct with all remnants being below mappable size.). Fine silts possibly of marine origin forming a very flat plain. Perhaps a recent natural invasion of the former marine plain. Redbank area. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), A144, A250b, A164, A232, A269, A226, A131 in part (Qld Herbarium and WTMA (2005) A247a); Kemp and Morgan (1999), 29, 34; Kemp et al. (1999), 30, 34; Tracey and Webb (1975), 16e, 19 |
| Protected areas | Girringun NP, Paluma Range NP, Girramay NP, Kuranda NP, Kuranda West FR, Daintree NP (CYPAL), Hasties Swamp NP, Ngalba-bulal NP (CYPAL), Baldy Mountain FR, Mowbray NP, Mowbray CP, Orpheus Island NP |
| Special values | 7.3.45: The vegetation community 7.3.45f which occurred extensively on the plains south of Trinity Inlet is now extinct (a few very narrow, structurally and floristically altered roadside remnants remain). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: 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. b: Cool, dry season (June-Sep). INTENSITY: Low, with occasional moderate or high intensity to manage thickening and/or stimulate germination. b: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: 2-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: 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. b: 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: 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). b: 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 | 7.3.45: This RE is approaching the threshold of 'Of concern' Vegetation Management Act class and therefore consideration of any further clearing should be very carefully assessed. Widespread across drier parts of the bioregion. This ecosystem is under threat from clearing and weed invasion, particularly via clearing of fence, road and housing infrastructure, and the introduction of cattle grazing, on hobby farms, particularly in southern areas. The weed species Mesosphaerum suaveolens Stylo spp., and *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida, are common in southern areas, and may result from heavy grazing pressure. 7.3.45e: Cowie Point and Duncan's Flat in the Daintree area. 7.3.45f: This vegetation unit was based on a distinct photo-pattern from old aerial photography, and from a particular soil type and landform. Field evidence (Quaternary data) was also used from very thin remnant roadside strips of vegetation (which are not mappable). Therefore essentially extinct. Broad, very flat plain, between Gordonvale and Trinity Inlet (Redbank area) - formerly extensive, the vegetation community is now practically extinct. Species composition estimated on very small (unmappable) remnants on the plain. |
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.
