Regional ecosystem details for 8.3.5
| Regional ecosystem | 8.3.5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 2, 6, 4, 3, 1, (11.14), (5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 155000 ha; Remnant 2021 21000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus platyphylla and/or Lophostemon suaveolens and/or Corymbia clarksoniana woodland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus platyphylla and/or Lophostemon suaveolens and/or Corymbia clarksoniana open forest to low woodland (7-24m tall). Includes areas with almost pure stands of E. platyphylla, and a few areas which are pure stands of L. suaveolens. More commonly these three species occur together. Occasional associated canopy species are Eucalyptus drepanophylla (or E. crebra), Corymbia dallachiana, C. intermedia and C. tessellaris. There are frequently very sparse lower tree layers, and dominants may include Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora, Allocasuarina torulosa, Lophostemon suaveolens, Planchonia careya, Acacia leiocalyx and A. leptocarpa. There is frequently a shrub layer consisting of scattered individuals of Acacia leptocarpa and other saplings from upper layers, as well as Glochidion lobocarpum, Coelospermum reticulatum, Glochidion apodogynum, and sometimes pioneering rainforest elements. The ground layer is commonly dominated by species such as Imperata cylindrica, Themeda triandra, Heteropogon triticeus, Eragrostis brownii and Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum. Associated species may include Flemingia parviflora, Eremochloa bimaculata, Scleria brownii, Fimbristylis dichotoma and Mnesithea rottboellioides. Plains, fans, terrace flats and terrace plains, and slopes, on gently undulating alluvial plains of lowlands and foothills. Geology mainly mapped as Qf, Qa and Qha (Quaternary sand, gravel, clay, rubble and silt: flood-out sheets, small fans, some colluvium, active stream channels and low terraces). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). |
| Supplementary description | Batianoff, Dillewaard and Franks (1997), Vegetation unit 14; Bean (1991), Vegetation type 4 and 17; Brushe et al. c34-3; Cumming (1997), Vegetation type 8 (in part), 9; Kemp (2009) C; Nexus Environmental Studies Pty Ltd (1998), 3c; Pollock and Champion (1 |
| Protected areas | Dryander NP, Cape Palmerston NP, Conway NP, West Hill NP, Gloucester Island NP, Cape Hillsborough NP, Pioneer Peaks NP, Skull Knob CP, Sandringham Bay CP, Eungella NP, Kelvin NP, South Cumberland Islands NP, Andromache CP, Mount Ossa NP, Bluff Hill NP, Mo |
| Special values | 8.3.5: The regional ecosystem has a very diverse ground layer, which has been poorly surveyed for flora and fauna. Likely to be habitat for the Red-cheeked Dunnart (Sminthopsis virginiae) which has been recorded south of Mount Blackwood, and otherwise rarely recorded in the bioregion. Habitat for many plant species which are poorly known in the Central Queensland Coast bioregion (and/or at the limits of their known range), including Jacksonia scoparia, Murdannia gigantea, Aristida acuta, Cyperus zollingeri, Hibbertia vestita, Goodenia pilosa, Panicum seminudum var. cairnsianum, Polygala wightiana, Schizachyrium pseudeulalia and Vigna sp. (Station Creek R.J.Lawn CQ3284). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Vary; winter, late winter and storm burns. INTENSITY: Moderate. INTERVAL: No more frequent that 3 - 5 years except were weed control takes priority (i.e. within rehabilitation zones). INTERVAL_MIN: 3. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Aim to burn no more that 70 % of any given area preferably less. ISSUES: Fire regimes required by this ecosystem will be largely dependant on the level and type of weed infestations present, and/or the level of vine forest emergence present. The implications of grazing either domestic and/or feral animals also needs consideration. In areas historically subjected to cattle grazing (lack of fire over long periods) or frequent burning, this woodland may have significant gaps in canopy layering. Fire management should consider the long term goal of maintaining the woodland structure. |
| Comments | 8.3.5: Distinguished from all other land zone 3 ecosystems and vegetation communities by the dominance of Eucalyptus platyphylla and/or Lophostemon suaveolens and/or Corymbia clarksoniana. Occurs throughout all of the northern subregions, from Gloucester Island south to St Lawrence. Also mapped within the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area, and some islands, in subregion 4. Extensively cleared for sugar cane. Highly fragmented in the northern subregions where most remnants are very small and the largest remnants are mainly south of Sarina where they are currently subject to clearing for coastal development and expansion of sugar. Readily subject to weed invasion, and the most problematic species are *Lantana camara, *Hyparrhenia rufa, *Sporobolus jacquemontii, *Sida rhombifolia, *Triumfetta rhomboidea, *Mimosa pudica, *Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, *Bothriochloa pertusa, *Sporobolus fertilis, *Themeda quadrivalvis, *Urochloa subquadripara and *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida. The condition of remnants in subregions 1-3 is generally poor, whilst those in subregion 4 are good. A low fire frequency causes invasion by pioneering rainforest spp. |
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.
