Regional ecosystem details for 1.5.2
| Regional ecosystem | 1.5.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 3, 4, 2.7, (2.8), (2), (2.2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 49000 ha; Remnant 2021 49000 ha |
| Short description | Mixed eucalypt woodland on sandy plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Variable woodland which may include Eucalyptus pruinosa, Corymbia ferruginea, C. polycarpa, C. terminalis and C. capricornia. Prominent lower tree and shrub storey may include Lysiphyllum cunninghamii, Petalostigma banksii, Acacia holosericea, Carissa lanceolata, Ventilago viminalis, Hakea arborescens and Atalaya hemiglauca. Moderate ground cover of perennial and annual grasses. Occurs on small sandplains, usually adjacent to Jurassic-Cretaceous plateaus and Tertiary surfaces; sandy red loams. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 1.5.2a: Low open woodland of mixed species which may include Eucalyptus leucophloia, Eucalyptus pruinosa, Corymbia grandifolia, C. terminalis and C. capricornia with a variable shrub layer and ground layer mixed tussock grasses often with Triodia pungens. Occurs on small sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19c). 1.5.2b: Corymbia capricornia and Corymbia grandifolia low open woodland usually with Corymbia polycarpa. A second tree layer including Melaleuca viridiflora and Eucalyptus pruinosa usually occurs. A variable shrub layer is consistently present. The ground layer is mixed and dominated by a combination of tussock and hummock grasses. Corymbia ferruginea frequently occurs in the north. Occurs on gravelly Tertiary surfaces with areas of impeded drainage. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19c). 1.5.2c: Mixed woodland of Corymbia polycarpa, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii, Ventilago viminalis and Atalaya hemiglauca with shrub layer dominated by Petalostigma pubescens and ground layer of tussock grasses and Triodia pungens. Occurs on small sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19c). 1.5.2e: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 1.5.10a. Shrubland of Acacia hammondii, Melaleuca spp. and Petalostigma quadriloculare, often with emergent trees including Eucalyptus pruinosa subsp. pruinosa, E. leucophloia, Corymbia spp. and Melaleuca spp. Ground layer of Triodia spp. And diverse forbs. Occurs on small sandplains, usually adjacent to Proterozoic plateaus and Tertiary surfaces; sandy red loams. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19c). 1.5.2x1: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 1.5.11. Melaleuca citrolens and/or Eucalyptus pruinosa low open woodland often with Melaleuca viridiflora and occasional Melaleuca stenostachya with a mixed shrub layer of Petalostigma banksii, Carissa lanceolata and Acacia spp. over a ground layer of Triodia pungens. Occurs on small tertiary sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19c). |
| Protected areas | Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, Lawn Hill (Stockyard Creek) RR, Lawn Hill (Widdallion) RR, Lawn Hill (Arthur Creek) RR |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Storm season to very early dry season. INTENSITY: Low with occasional moderate. INTERVAL: 4 - 10 years. Adjust intervals/frequency according to rainfall-drought cycles, fuel accumulation and previous fire history. INTERVAL_MIN: 4. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Ensure burns are undertaken across the landscape at a range of frequencies to create a mosaic of times since fire. Apply numerous small burns every year to achieve a mosaic and reduce risks of wildfire across vast areas of the landscape. Maintain burnt areas < 20%. ISSUES: Too frequent fire can promote annual grasses over perennial. Ensure areas with obligate seeders are left so that seed regeneration cycles can be maintained. Mixed shrubby woodlands contain fire-sensitive species and tend to grow in fire-sheltered areas. a,b: Rainfall is a major factor affecting spinifex growth, such that a very wet year or a series of wet years may boost the spinifex fuel load leading to the possibility of extensive wildfire in subsequent years. Fuel loads tend to be higher where there is a mix of tussock and spinifex grasses. |
| Comments | 1.5.2a: Mainly subregion 4 and far north of subregion 3. 1.5.2b: Mainly far north of subregion 3 and subregion 4. 1.5.2c: This is a community of restricted extent and occurs only along the margins of sub-region 2 and sub-region 4 within 40km of the Northern Territory border. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13.1 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.
2 Superseded: Revision of the regional ecosystem classification removed this regional ecosystem code from use. It is included in the regional ecosystem description database because the RE code may appear in older versions of RE mapping and the Vegetation Management regulation.
