Regional ecosystem details for 10.10.4
| Regional ecosystem | 10.10.4 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 4, (3), (9.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 70000 ha; Remnant 2021 70000 ha |
| Short description | Corymbia leichhardtii, Corymbia lamprophylla, Eucalyptus exilipes and Eucalyptus similis in mixed woodlands on sandstone ranges |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Mixed woodland to open forest, including a combination of the species Corymbia leichhardtii, C. lamprophylla, Eucalyptus exilipes, E. similis, Acacia shirleyi and E. chartaboma. A secondary tree layer, dominated by canopy species and Lysicarpus angustifolius, commonly occurs. The variable shrub layer is dominated by Acacia spp., Grevillea spp., Jacksonia ramosissima and Petalostigma banksii. Density and species composition vary with fire history. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia spp. and Cleistochloa subjuncea. Occurs on slopes of rocky hills with sandy to skeletal soils on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 12a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 10.10.4a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.10.4. Corymbia leichhardtii dominates the very sparse tree layer. Corymbia lamprophylla and Acacia shirleyi are frequently present and sometimes codominant in the canopy. Triodia spp. usually dominate the very sparse to sparse ground layer. Occurs on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 12a). 10.10.4b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.10.4. Eucalyptus exilipes with Corymbia leichhardtii or C. lamprophylla dominates the very sparse tree layer. Eucalyptus exilipes dominates the very sparse canopy. Corymbia leichhardtii and/or C. lamprophylla are usually present and are sometimes codominants in the canopy. There is a very sparse to mid-dense shrub layer. Triodia spp. And Cleistochloa subjuncea are frequently present and sometimes dominant in the very sparse to sparse ground layer. Occurs on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 12a). 10.10.4c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.10.4. Eucalyptus similis dominates the very sparse tree layer. Corymbia lamprophylla is present and sometimes codominant in the canopy. There is a very sparse to sparse shrub layer. Triodia spp. Are usually present and sometimes dominate the very sparse to sparse ground layer. Occurs on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17c). 10.10.4d: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.10.4. Eucalyptus chartaboma dominates the very sparse tree layer. Corymbia lamprophylla and/or C. leichhardtii are often present and sometimes codominant in the canopy. Jacksonia ramosissima frequently dominates the very sparse to sparse shrub layer. Triodia pungens usually dominates the very sparse to sparse ground layer. Occurs on sandstone ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14d). |
| Supplementary description | Bean (1992), Pw; |
| Protected areas | White Mountains NP, Cudmore (Limited Depth) NP, White Mountains RR, Cudmore RR |
| Special values | 10.10.4: Potential habitat for the vulnerable species Kardomia squarrulosa and Micromyrtus rotundifolia. Goodenia splendida occurs in this habitat and is known from only ten Herbarium records. Calytrix microcoma is occurs mostly in the DEU and is common in this ecosystem. Also habitat for poorly known species Coronidium lanosum and Tephrosia sp. (Lake Buchanan E.J.Thompson+ BUC2128). Eucalyptus chartaboma occurs near its southern most known location in this ecosystem. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Wet to mid-dry season while soil retains moisture. INTENSITY: Low to occasional moderate. INTERVAL: Interval will depend on need for burning, seasonal conditions and grazing pressure. Approximately 5-10 years. Do not burn during drought years. Concentrate burning during wet years. INTERVAL_MIN: 5. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Due to the typically sparse nature of the spinifex in these ecosystems, there is rarely enough fuel load to burn. Patchy burns are preferred. Mosaic 50-80% of area targeted. Burn under conditions of good soil moisture and when plants are actively growing. Burns during dry periods may leave areas of soil exposed, leading to erosion. ISSUES: Spinifex responds to low intensity burning following the first summer rains. De-stock burnt spinifex areas for many months in good seasons or several growing seasons in a run of dry years. |
| Comments | 10.10.4: Mainly occurs in subregion 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. 10.10.4a: Widely distributed along the Great Dividing Range. 10.10.4b: Common in northern parts of subregion 2. 10.10.4c: Occurs in northern parts of subregion 2. Sometimes occurs as small unmappable patches at 1:100 000 scale. 10.10.4d: Uncommon vegetation community occurring northern parts of subregion 2. Sometimes occurs as small patches unmappable at 1:100 000 scale. |
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.
