Regional ecosystem details for 7.3.46
| Regional ecosystem | 7.3.46 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Endangered |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 1, 2, 6, (5), (3), (9), (8), (9.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 7000 ha; Remnant 2021 2000 ha |
| Short description | Lophostemon suaveolens open forest to woodland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp mahogany) open forest to woodland. Alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 28e). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), A91; Kemp et al. (1999), 35; Tracey and Webb (1975), 19 |
| Protected areas | Girringun NP, Gulngay NP, Girramay NP, Koombooloomba NP, Hull River NP, Malbon Thompson FR, Koombooloomba South FR, Hinchinbrook Island NP, Daintree NP (CYPAL) |
| 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. INTENSITY: Low, with occasional moderate or high intensity to manage thickening and/or stimulate germination. 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. 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. 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). |
| Comments | 7.3.46: Scattered on coastal plains across most of the bioregion. 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). |
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.
