Regional ecosystem details for 10.3.9
Regional ecosystem | 10.3.9 |
---|---|
Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
Subregion | 1, 2, 4.6, (9.5), (4.5) |
Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 133000 ha; Remnant 2021 115000 ha |
Short description | Eucalyptus whitei woodland on sandy alluvial fans |
Structure code | Woodland |
Description | Eucalyptus whitei woodland. A secondary tree layer of Eucalyptus whitei usually occurs. A variable shrub layer usually occurs. Tussock grass ground layer. Occurs on sandy alluvial fans with yellow earth soils and some stream channels. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 10.3.9x1: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.3.9. Eucalyptus whitei dominates the sparse tree layer with understorey of scattered shrubs and very sparse ground layer predominated by Heteropogon contortus, Bothriochloa decipiens var. cloncurrensis. Occurs on gently undulating terrain with loamy soil. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17c). 10.3.9x2: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.3.9. Eucalyptus whitei dominates the very sparse tree layer. Carissa lanceolata dominates the very sparse shrub layer and Aristida pruinosa, Bothriochloa ewartiana, Dactyloctenium radulans and Themeda triandra the very sparse ground layer. Occurs on flat clay plain with sandy cover. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17c). |
Supplementary description | Gunn et al. (1967), De; Lorimer (1998), Qa1; Perry et al. (1964), Ka; Thompson and Turpin (in prep), E14b; Turner et al. (1978), E1, E2, R1, W2; Turner et al. (1993), E6, W2 |
Protected areas | Moorrinya NP |
Special values | 10.3.9: Intake areas for Great Artesian Basin aquifers. Habitat for poorly known species Polygala difficilis. |
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: 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: Grazing can impact heavily and combined with low rainfall fuel loads will be low making burning difficult. Can be advantageous to burn in year following good rains to manage currant bush and false sandalwood. Eucalypts such as E. dallachiana and E. coolabah germinate and recruit following rainfall; do not burn to thin as attrition will reduce density in drought years. |
Comments | 10.3.9: South-east of Aramac. Threatening processes include clearing for pasture development. Revegetation after loss of top soil and exposure of the clayey subsoil is expected to be difficult and very slow. Nutrient levels, particularly phosphorus are very low. Subject to widespread pasture degradation, and to clearing for pasture development. |
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.