Regional ecosystem details for 9.3.14
| Regional ecosystem | 9.3.14 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Riverine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 3, (3.1), (2), (3.5), (2.4), (3.6), (7.8), (7.9) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 19000 ha; Remnant 2021 18000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca spp. +/- Acacia spp. +/- Syzygium spp. +/- Leptospermum spp. fringing woodland on channels and levees |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Fringing woodland to open forest of Melaleuca fluviatilis (teatree) and/or M. leucadendra (weeping teatree) and/or M. argentea (silver-leafed paperbark) +/- Eucalyptus tereticornis (bluegum) or Eucalyptus camaldulensis (river red gum) +/- Nauclea orientalis (Leichhardt tree). A mid-dense shrub layer is present. The ground layer is frequently bare sand with leaf litter. Occurs on stream banks and channels on western-flowing rivers draining the Hodgkinson Basin metamorphics (subregion 3). Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.3.14a: Fringing open and low open forest to open woodland of Melaleuca leucadendra (weeping teatree) and/or M. fluviatilis (teatree) and/or Eucalyptus camaldulensis (river red gum) or E. tereticornis (bluegum) +/- Lophostemon grandiflorus (Northern swamp box) +/- Nauclea orientalis (Leichhardt tree) +/- Ficus spp. E. camaldulensis can sometimes occur as an emergent. An open sub-canopy can occur and include Terminalia spp., Acacia spp., M. linariifolia (Snow-in Summer) and Casuarina cunninghamiana (river sheoak). There is often a low open to mid-dense shrub layer, which often includes juvenile canopy species, Lagerstroemia spp., and M. trichostachya. The very sparse to mid-dense shrub layer is composed of a variety of species. The ground layer is sparse to mid-dense and can include Eragrostis schultzii, Nelsonia campestris, Cyperus spp. and Panicum spp. Occurs on major rivers and streams. Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). 9.3.14b: Woodland of Melaleuca argentea (silver-leafed paperbark) and/or M. leucadendra (weeping teatree), Acacia auriculiformis (sallywood) and Syzygium forte subsp. potamophilum. Deciduous species such as Nauclea orientalis (Leichhardt tree), and less frequently Ficus racemosa var. racemosa, Lagerstroemia archeriana subsp. archeriana and Terminalia platyphylla (wild plum), are often present as scattered canopy trees. A sparse to mid-dense sub-canopy tree layer is usually present, with Diospyros spp., Barringtonia acutangula subsp. acutangula, Acacia torulosa and Strychnos lucida frequent species in this layer. Leptospermum madidum subsp. madidum frequently occurs in the stream channels as a low tree up to 4 metres tall. The very sparse to mid-dense shrub layer is composed of a variety of species. The ground layer is generally very sparse with Panicum trichoides the most frequent graminoid. Occurs along major rivers. Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner and Clarkson (1995): 50, Neldner and Clarkson (1995): 48 |
| Protected areas | Mount Windsor NP, Palmer Goldfield RR, Mount Lewis NP |
| Special values | 9.3.14: Significant habitat as drought refuge, wildlife corridors and for arboreal animals. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late wet/early dry season (March to June). INTENSITY: Low. INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not burn deliberately. Allowing fires to trickle into fringing community will reduce fuel load, loss of hollow trees and potential for wildfire. ISSUES: Contain fire sensitive species such as river she-oak Casuarina glauca, Melaleuca leucadendra and M. argentea as well as habitat trees. Frequent and high intensity fires remove or inhibit structural complexity of ground, mid and upper strata. Increases risk of weeds and erosion. |
| Comments | 9.3.14: It usually occurs in a narrow band ranging from 1 to 50 metres wide, adjacent to the stream channels. Occurs on rivers draining the Hodgkinson Basin metamorphics. Prone to weed infestation by Cryptostegia grandiflora, Melinis repens, Themeda quadrivalvis and Xanthium occidentale. 9.3.14b: In the south of it's distribution the may be less mesic species in this community. Occurs along major streams near Lakeland Downs in the north of the 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.
