Regional ecosystem details for 9.10.3
| Regional ecosystem | 9.10.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 1, 2.9, (5), (2.4), (2.6), (3), (2.5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 72000 ha; Remnant 2021 72000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia shirleyi +/- mixed species woodland to open forest on sandstone |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Woodland to open forest of Acacia shirleyi (lancewood) +/- Eucalyptus spp. +/- Corymbia spp. The mid layer ranges from absent to a mid-dense shrub layer of Acacia spp. or Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine). The ground layer varies from absent to a sparse cover of Schizachyrium spp. Occurs on sandstone scarps and mesas and on plateaus with shallow soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.10.3a: Woodland to open forest of Acacia shirleyi (lancewood) and/or Corymbia serendipita +/- Eucalyptus chartaboma (Queensland flaky-bark) +/- E. provecta +/- C. polycarpa +/- E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark). There is often an open sub-canopy which includes canopy species as well as Callitris intratropica (cypress pine), A. leptostachya (slender wattle) and A. julifera (catkin wattle). The community structure is very variable. In some cases the Acacia spp. can form a low woodland or low open forest with emergent Corymbia serendipita and/or C. polycarpa (long-fruited bloodwood) and in areas of sandstone outcrops Eucalyptus chartaboma can predominate along with Corymbia serendipita. The sparse shrub layer can contain scattered individuals of juvenile canopy species as well as Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) and Persoonia falcata (geebung). The ground layer varies from absent to sparse grasses and is dominated by Aristida spp., Cleistochloa subjuncea and Schizachyrium spp. Sandstone scarps and plateaus with shallow soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). 9.10.3b: Woodland to (occasionally) open forest of Acacia shirleyi (lancewood) +/- Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) +/- C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- C. polycarpa (long-fruited bloodwood). The mid layer ranges from isolated plants of Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved paperbark) and M. stenostachya (teatree) to a shrubland of Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine). The ground layer is grassy and dominated by Schizachyrium spp. (firegrass) or sometimes Triodia spp. (spinifex). Sandstone scarps and small plateaus. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). 9.10.3c: Low open woodland of Eucalyptus tetrodonta (Darwin stringybark) +/- Acacia shirleyi (lancewood) +/- Corymbia dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) +/- C. erythrophloia. A dense shrub layer of Acacia leptostachya (slender wattle) and Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) often occurs and Schizachyrium sp. (firegrass) dominates the mid-dense ground layer on stony, sandstone ground. Occurs on sandstone outcrops. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14d). |
| Protected areas | Littleton NP, Bulleringa NP, Canyon RR, Rungulla NP, Porcupine Gorge NP, Blackbraes NP, Littleton RR, Great Basalt Wall NP |
| Special values | 9.10.3: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Euphorbia carissoides. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: 10-50 years generally following periods of high rainfall and sufficient grass growth. INTERVAL_MIN: 10. INTERVAL_MAX: 50. STRATEGY: Maintain fire management of surrounding country so that wildfires will be very limited in extent and do not penetrate Lancewood forests. ISSUES: Although fire promotes the germination of Lancewood seedlings, trees are killed by all but the lowest intensity fires. Lancewood trees typically require approximately 20 years before seedlings mature. Often the lack of grass layer inhibits fire spread into these forests, and they will regenerate after occasional wildfires. Damaged by repeated fires < 20 years. Manage surrounding woodlands so that wildfires do not burn large areas of Lancewood forest in a single event. Callitris intratropica are also fire sensitive. |
| Comments | 9.10.3: Similar to RE 2.10.5 in Gulf Plains Bioregion. Occurs mainly on the Newcastle Range in the west of the bioregion. 9.10.3a: Occurs on the Newcastle Range down to Gilberton in the west of the bioregion. 9.10.3b: Occurs mainly on the Newcastle Range in the west of the bioregion but also near Porcupine Gorge NP in the south of the bioregion. 9.10.3c: Occurs in the central west of the bioregion near Bulleringa. |
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.
