Regional ecosystem details for 10.10.2
| Regional ecosystem | 10.10.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, (9.5), (3), (4), (4.5), (4.6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 24000 ha; Remnant 2021 24000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca uncinata shrubland on mostly bare rock in sandstone ranges |
| Structure code | Shrubland |
| Description | Melaleuca uncinata shrubland, usually with Melaleuca tamariscina. Acacia julifera subsp. curvinervia, Acacia lazaridis and Thryptomene parviflora commonly occur. Triodia spp. hummock grass ground layer, usually with Schoenus kennyi. Occurs on rock platforms and rocky slopes in hills with shallow to skeletal soils or bare rock on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 10.10.2a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.10.2d. Acacia burdekensis dominates the very sparse tree layer. Corymbia trachyphloia is present and sometimes subdominant in the canopy. Acacia shirleyi is often present and occasionally subdominant. Grevillea decora, G. sessilis, Hibbertia stricta, Lithomyrtus microphylla, Ochrosperma adpressum, Pseudanthus ligulatus, Hemigenia cuneifolia, Boronia warangensis and Hovea lanceolata are commonly present and sometimes dominant in the very sparse to mid-dense shrub layer. Triodia pungens and/or Cleistochloa subjuncea are dominant in the very sparse ground layer. Occurs on rock platforms and rocky slopes in hills with shallow to skeletal soils on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). 10.10.2b: Bare coarse sandstone rock. Mostly bare rock pavement with shrubs growing in fissures. Bare rock areas in sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29b). 10.10.2c: Acacia julifera dominates the sparse shrub layer. Triodia longiceps frequently dominates the very sparse ground layer. Occurs mostly on the most elevated parts of sandstone hills in mosaic with bare rock to sparsely vegetated areas. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). 10.10.2d: Melaleuca uncinata dominates the sparse shrub layer. Acacia julifera dominates the sparse canopy. Triodia longiceps frequently dominates the very sparse ground layer. Occurs on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). |
| Protected areas | White Mountains NP, White Mountains RR, Porcupine Gorge NP |
| Special values | 10.10.2: Habitat for vulnerable species, Kardomia squarrulosa. Habitat for Goodenia splendida which is known from only ten Herbarium records. |
| 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: Typically insufficient ground fuel to carry fire. Burn in association with surrounding fire-adapted communities in order to create a landscape mosaic of burnt/unburnt areas to mitigate against wildfire. Ensure fires are patchy. ISSUES: These communities generally have sparse ground layer; particularly community b. Will only burn following irregular high rainfall events. |
| Comments | 10.10.2: 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. 10.10.2a: Restricted to the White Mountains National Park where it is common. 10.10.2b: Consists of largely bare sandstone pavement and boulders with highly variable species composition. Restricted to northern parts of subregion 2. 10.10.2c: Restricted to the White Mountains National Park. 10.10.2d: Restricted to the northern parts of subregion 2 where it often occurs in small patches. |
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.
