Regional ecosystem details for 8.5.6
| Regional ecosystem | 8.5.6 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 2 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 3000 ha; Remnant 2021 2000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca viridiflora +/- Allocasuarina littoralis woodland on Tertiary sand plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora low woodland to low open forest. Allocasuarina littoralis may sometimes occur as a codominant or associated species. Other associated species may include Corymbia clarksoniana, C. intermedia, Eucalyptus exserta, Allocasuarina torulosa, Lophostemon suaveolens and Pandanus cookii. The epiphyte Dendrobium canaliculatum is common in the canopy on Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora. A very sparse to sparse shrub layer is sometimes present, often including Allocasuarina littoralis, Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora, Corymbia clarksoniana and Acacia leptocarpa. The ground layer is usually dominated by Xanthorrhoea johnsonii, with other dominant to associated species including Schoenus sparteus, Eriachne pallescens var. pallescens, Eremochloa bimaculata and Rhynchospora leae. Occurs on sandy plains (flat or gently sloping to undulating plains of lowlands), currently mapped on old inactive alluvium. Geology mapped as Qf (Quaternary sand, gravel and clay: flood-out sheets and small fans). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21a). |
| Protected areas | Cape Palmerston NP |
| Special values | 8.5.6: Remains poorly surveyed, but given the sandy soils and ephemeral nature of the ground layer, this ecosystem is likely to be highly diverse and contain several species which are significant range extensions or very poorly known. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late wet to early dry season, with occasional storm burns. INTENSITY: Low to moderate with most burns moderate. INTERVAL: 6-10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 6. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Apply mosaic burns across the target area; aim for 40-60% of area burnt. No more than 20% of Melaleuca communities should be burnt within the bioregion in any one year. ISSUES: Presence of high biomass grasses, lantana and rubbervine can increase fire severity and/or shade ground layer plants making burning difficult. Peat layers can be vulnerable in drier months; burn when peat layer water logged. |
| Comments | 8.5.6: Similar to RE 8.5.2a from which it can be distinguished by its distribution and the usual presence (and often sub-dominance) of Allocasuarina littoralis (8.5.2a may have Allocasuarina luehmannii as a co-dominant or subdominant, if A. littoralis is present it is usually uncommon). May sometimes be similar to 8.5.7 but never contains species such as Eucalyptus latisinensis and Banksia robur (also 8.5.7 occurs only in subregions 4 and 5). Occurs in subregion 2 on lowlands from in and around Cape Palmerston National Park, south-west to Marion Creek near Ilbilbie and west to Coalters Creek east of Koumala (20km south of Sarina). A substantial proportion has been completely cleared, but there remain areas within Cape Palmerston NP in good condition. Weeds which are a threat to this ecosystem include *Stylosanthes spp., *Sporobolus jacquemontii and *Stachytarpheta jamaicensis. |
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.
