Regional ecosystem details for 9.12.1
| Regional ecosystem | 9.12.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, 2, (6), (10.3), (11.1), (11.3), (5), (11.5), (11.6), (2.9), (10.2), (11.2), (11.4), (11.7), (7.5), (7.6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 880000 ha; Remnant 2021 838000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus crebra and/or E. xanthoclada and/or E. drepanophylla low open woodland on igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Woodland to low open woodland of Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) and/or E. xanthoclada (yellow-branched ironbark) and/or E. drepanophylla (grey ironbark) and/or E. paedoglauca (Mount Stewart ironbark). The mid layer is usually absent but an open sub-canopy or shrub layer can occur. Sparsely wooded areas may grade into grassland. Occurs on a variety of landforms from undulating plains to steep hills on igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.12.1a: Woodland to low open woodland of Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) +/- Corymbia dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) +/- C. erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- Corymbia spp. E. exilipes (fine-leaved ironbark) or E. granitica (granite ironbark) can sometimes occur as a dominant. An open sub-canopy can occur with canopy species as well as Geijera salicifolia (wilga), Petalostigma pubescens (quinine), Denhamia cunninghamii (yellowberry bush), Bursaria incana (prickly pine) and Acacia spp. An open shrub layer usually includes canopy and sub-canopy species and Carissa lanceolata (currantbush). The sparse to dense ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass). Occurs on a variety of landforms from undulating plains to steep hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). 9.12.1b: Open woodland to low open woodland of Eucalyptus xanthoclada (yellow-branched ironbark) +/- Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- Corymbia spp. +/- Eucalyptus spp. There may be a sparse sub-canopy layer which can include Vachellia bidwillii (corkwood wattle), Bursaria incana (prickly pine) or Euroschinus spp. The shrub layer can contain mixed species including canopy species, Denhamia cunninghamii (yellowberry bush), B. incana, Carissa lanceolata (currantbush), A. bidwillii and Persoonia falcata (geebung). The ground layer is sparse tussock grasses dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on a variety of landforms from undulating plains to steep hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). 9.12.1c: Woodland of Eucalyptus drepanophylla (grey ironbark) or E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) +/- Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum). An open sub-canopy or shrub layer containing canopy species +/- Vachellia bidwillii (corkwood wattle) +/- Bursaria incana (prickly pine) often occurs. The grassy ground is dominated by Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass) and Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on a variety of landforms from undulating plains to steep hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). 9.12.1d: Woodland of Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) or E. granitica (granite ironbark) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) +/- Corymbia spp. The mid layer ranges from absent to sparse and can include Acacia flavescens (yellow wattle), Grevillea glauca (bushman's clothes peg), Bursaria incana (prickly pine) and juvenile canopy species. The dense grassy ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass). Occurs on steep rugged hills and mountain ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). 9.12.1e: Grassland with isolated emergent trees of Eucalyptus crebra (sens. lat.) (narrow-leaved ironbark) +/- clumps of shrubs of Acacia decora and/or A. leptostachya (slender wattle) and/or Jacksonia thesioides and/or Allocasuarina inophloia (stringybark sheoak). Occurs on granite hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29b). 9.12.1f: Woodland of Eucalyptus paedoglauca (Mount Stewart ironbark) +/- Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum). Mid-layer absent to sparse. Grassy cover dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass). Occurs on granite hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). |
| Supplementary description | Perry et al. (1964): Leichhardt Unit 1 and Unit 2 |
| Protected areas | Girringun NP, Girringun CP, Forty Mile Scrub NP, Undara Volcanic NP, Girringun RR, White Blow CP |
| Special values | 9.12.1: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Eucalyptus paedoglauca, Solanum angustum. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Early dry season and storm time. Timing of early dry season burns will vary depending on seasonal conditions; it may sometimes commence as early as March. INTENSITY: Low, with occasional moderate. INTERVAL: 2-5 year intervals with longer unburnt patches. Fuel loads tend to reach a maximum after 2-3 years. Ensure burn programs occur after big wet season as fuel loads will be higher than average. INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Burn less than 40% across the landscape in any year. Burning through the early dry season will produce a network of burns that will contain later fires. Fires will only gain in intensity as the dry season progresses. Grass composition can be affected by timing and intensity of fire. Occasional moderate fire will help to reduce overabundant trees that could potentially suppress ground layer vegetation. ISSUES: Leave areas of long unburnt vegetation to maintain a diversity of habitat for wildlife. |
| Comments | 9.12.1: This regional ecosystem is distinguished from 9.12.11 which occurs on acid volcanics. Occurs extensively through-out the central and southern bioregion. Vulnerable to invasion by the weeds Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine), Vachellia farnesiana (mimosa), Melinis repens (Red Natal grass), Ziziphus mauritiana (chinee apple) and the exotic pasture species Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass). In wetter areas Lantana camara can be invasive. 9.12.1a: Occurs extensively through-out the central and southern bioregion. Prone to invasion by the weeds Cryptostegia grandiflora Ziziphus mauritiana and Melinis repens and the introduced pasture species Cenchrus ciliaris. 9.12.1b: Occurs extensively south of Charters Towers in the south of the bioregion. Prone to invasive weeds Cryptostegia grandiflora, Vachellia farnesiana, Ziziphus mauritiana, Lantana camara and Malvastrum americanum. 9.12.1c: Occurs south east of Greenvale in the south central bioregion. 9.12.1d: The structure of this vegetation community is consistently taller and more dense than other vegetation communities in 9.12.1. Occurs adjacent to the Wet Tropics bioregion. Prone to invasive weed Lantana camara. 9.12.1e: Occurs in a restricted area north of Greenvale in the central bioregion. 9.12.1f: Occurs in restricted areas on the ranges west of Townsville in the southern bioregion. |
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.
