Regional ecosystem details for 9.5.10
| Regional ecosystem | 9.5.10 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, 2, 2.9, 5, (2.5), (2.6), (2.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 109000 ha; Remnant 2021 107000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus microneura +/- Terminalia spp. low woodland on sand sheets |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Low woodland to (occasionally) low open woodland of Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) +/- Terminalia spp. An open to often clumped shrub layer is often present. The grassy ground layer is generally sparse to mid-dense and dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and Aristida spp. Occurs on sandsheets over various land zone 11 and 12 geologies, on low rises and undulating plains and to a lesser extent in plains in valleys. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18d). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.5.10a: Low woodland of Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) +/- Corymbia pocillum or C. erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- Terminalia spp. +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum). C. pocillum tends to occur in the west of this community, while C. erythrophloia occurs in the east. An open to mid-dense shrub often occurs and usually contains Gardenia vilhelmii (breadfruit), Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine), Carissa lanceolata (currantbush) and sometimes clumps of Melaleuca citrolens (scrub teatree). The often dense grassy ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass), Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass) and Aristida spp. Occurs on low rises and undulating plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18d). 9.5.10b: Low woodland to woodland of Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box), Terminalia platyptera (yellow-wood) +/- T. aridicola subsp. Chillagoensis (arid peach) +/- Lysiphyllum sp. +/- Acacia leptostachya (slender wattle). An open to mid-dense shrub layer is dominated by Gardenia vilhelmii, Petalostigma banksii and Carissa lanceolata. The grassy ground layer is dominated by Aristida spp. and Heteropogon contortus. In some areas this community may be dominated by Terminalia platyptera and/or Lysiphyllum sp. Low rises and undulating plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18d). 9.5.10c: Low open woodland to low woodland of Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) +/- Corymbia grandifolia subsp. grandifolia (large-leaved cabbage-gum) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) +/- Terminalia platyptera (yellow-wood) +/- C. polycarpa (long-fruited bloodwood), with patches of Melaleuca citrolens (scrub teatree) shrubland. Occurs on slopes and rounded valley bottoms of low hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18d). |
| Supplementary description | Perry et al. (1964): Dandry Unit 4; Perry et al. (1964): Kilbogie Unit 2 and Unit 3; Perry et al. (1964): Leichhardt Unit 2; Perry at al (1964): Torwood Unit 2; Perry at al (1964): Torwood Unit 1; Perry et al. (1964): Strathpark Unit 1 |
| Protected areas | Littleton NP, Canyon RR, Bulleringa NP, Undara Volcanic NP, Littleton RR |
| 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 | 9.5.10: Occurs mainly between Mt. Surprise and Croydon in the west of the bioregion. 9.5.10a: Occurs on plains in the central and western parts of the bioregion. 9.5.10b: Occurs east of Croydon in the west of the bioregion. 9.5.10c: Occurs between the Newcastle Range and Croydon in the west 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.
