Regional ecosystem details for 10.10.1
| Regional ecosystem | 10.10.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 4, (3), (9.5), (9.4), (4.5), (4.6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 92000 ha; Remnant 2021 92000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia shirleyi open forest on sandstone ranges |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Acacia shirleyi low woodland to closed forest, commonly with Eucalyptus exilipes. Acacia burdekensis, Corymbia trachyphloia, Corymbia lamprophylla and Corymbia leichhardtii are occasionally present in the canopy. A variable shrub layer, dominated by Acacia shirleyi and Eucalyptus exilipes, is usually present. Tussock grass ground layer dominated by Cleistochloa subjuncea. Occurs on rocky hills or pediments to talus below cliffs with skeletal soils to shallow earths on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 10.10.1a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.10.1. Acacia shirleyi dominates the very sparse to sparse low tree layer. Acacia burdekensis, Eucalyptus exilipes, Corymbia trachyphloia and E. exserta occasionally occur as subdominants or codominants. The shrub layer is highly variable ranging from very sparse to mid-dense. Cleistochloa subjuncea frequently dominates the very sparse to sparse ground layer. Triodia pungens is occasionally dominant. Occurs on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). 10.10.1b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.10.1. Acacia catenulata with or without Acacia shirleyi dominate the sparse tree layer. Acacia catenulata dominates the sparse canopy. Acacia shirleyi is usually present in the canopy. Erythroxylon australe, Beyeria viscosa and Everistia vacciniifolia are usually present in the very sparse shrub layer. Occurs on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). 10.10.1c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.10.1. Acacia shirleyi dominates the mid-dense to dense tree layer. There are sometimes scattered shrubs including Solanum galbinum in a very sparse shrub layer. Cleistochloa subjuncea usually dominates the ground layer which is otherwise variable. Occurs on pediments with shallow to deep sandy soils below sandstone scarps. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). |
| Supplementary description | Bean (1992), As; Gunn et al. (1967), Ca, So; Perry et al. (1964), Tr; Turner et al. (1978), E7, R1, R2; Turner et al. (1993), E4, R1, R4 |
| Protected areas | White Mountains NP, Cudmore (Limited Depth) NP, White Mountains RR, Cudmore RR |
| Special values | 10.10.1: Habitat for vulnerable plant species Kardomia squarrulosa and near threatened species, Aristida burraensis, Bertya pedicellata, and Boronia eriantha. Solanum crassitomentosum is endemic to the White Mountains and occurs in this ecosystem. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Wet to mid-dry season. Avoid late dry (August -September) as intensity will be too high (August -September). INTENSITY: Low. INTERVAL: 6-10 years, but will depend on seasonal conditions and grazing pressure. INTERVAL_MIN: 6. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Fire is not generally applied directly to acacia dominated communities, but to surrounding fire-adapted communities in order to create a landscape mosaic of burnt/unburnt areas to mitigate against wildfire. Ensure fires are patchy. ISSUES: Acacias are fire sensitive and may be killed by high intensity or too frequent fire. These communities generally have sparse ground layer. Will only burn following irregular high rainfall events. |
| Comments | 10.10.1: The soils are shallow with low water holding capacity and low fertility. The nature of the soils and the very sparse ground cover of plants renders this ecosystem highly susceptible to erosion. Degradation in the form of soil disturbance or reduction of ground cover will be difficult to reverse and therefore tree-clearing should not occur. Plant growth is seasonal and pasture productivity is low. There are few palatable species and their cover is very sparse. It is recommended that grazing be controlled by fencing out areas of land zone 10. Fire management requires consideration of the effect of the expected slow recovery rate of plant cover and the sensitivity to burning of species such as lancewood. Potential threat is mainly wildfire. 10.10.1a: Mostly occurs along the Great Dividing Range. 10.10.1b: Often associated with small patches of 10.10.1a. 10.10.1c: Uncommon vegetation community restricted to the White Mountains National Park. |
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.
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.
