Regional ecosystem details for 10.5.1
| Regional ecosystem | 10.5.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 4, (1), (3), (11.3), (11.7), (11.26), (11.15), (9.5), (9.4), (4.5), (11.24) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 869000 ha; Remnant 2021 843000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus similis and/or Corymbia brachycarpa woodland on sand plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus similis and/or Corymbia brachycarpa woodland usually with a mix of other species including Corymbia dallachiana, Corymbia setosa and Brachychiton populneus. A secondary tree layer is usually present and includes Acacia sericophylla, Corymbia setosa, Eucalyptus similis and Corymbia brachycarpa. Variable shrub layer dominated by Acacia spp., Petalostigma spp. and Carissa lanceolata. Ground layer dominated by Triodia pungens and perennial tussock grasses. Occurs on Tertiary and Quaternary sand sheets in subregions 2 and 4. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 10.5.1a: Eucalyptus similis woodland, commonly with Corymbia brachycarpa. and occasionally with Corymbia setosa, Corymbia dallachiana, Brachychiton populneus and/or Eucalyptus drepanophylla. A secondary tree layer commonly occurs, including canopy species and Acacia sericophylla. A variable shrub layer usually occurs. Triodia pungens dominated ground layer with tussock grasses. Occurs on Tertiary and Quaternary sand sheets in subregions 2 and 4. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17c). 10.5.1b: Corymbia brachycarpa woodland occasionally with Corymbia dallachiana, Acacia shirleyi, Eucalyptus whitei and Eucalyptus similis. A secondary tree layer usually occurs including Acacia sericophylla, Petalostigma pubescens and Corymbia setosa. A variable shrub layer occurs. The ground layer is usually dominated by Trioida pungens and perennial tussock grasses. Occurs on Tertiary and Quaternary sand sheets in subregions 2 and 4. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18a). 10.5.1c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.5.1a. Eucalyptus similis and Corymbia setosa dominate the very sparse canopy. The shrub layer is usually very sparse with Lithomyrtus microphylla, Carissa lanceolata, Gastrolobium grandiflorum and Jacksonia ramosissima often present. Triodia pungens usually dominants the very sparse to sparse ground layer. Occurs on sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17c). 10.5.1d: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.5.8. Corymbia setosa dominates the very sparse canopy. Melaleuca nervosa, Acacia sericophylla, A. elachantha, Bursaria incana, Grevillea glauca and Petalostigma pubescens are frequently present in the very sparse low trees layer or occur as scattered small trees. Acacia spp. and Carissa lanceolata dominate the very sparse shrub layer. The ground layer is usually dominated by Triodia pungens. Occurs on sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17c). 10.5.1e: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.5.10. Eucalyptus chartaboma and Corymbia leichhardtii dominate the very sparse canopy. Corymbia brachycarpa and E. similis are often present in the canopy. Corymbia setosa and Grevillea glauca are commonly occurring small trees. Acacia spp., Jacksonia ramosissima and Comesperma pallidum are frequently present in the small shrub layer. Triodia spp., Sarga plumosum and Alloteropsis semialata occur as dominant graminoids. Occurs on sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14b). 10.5.1f: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.5.4e. Eucalyptus tetrodonta dominates the very sparse canopy. Acacia spp., Dodonaea dodecandra, Denhamia cunninghamii and Petalostigma pubescens are present in the shrub layer. Grewia savannicola is a commonly occurring small shrub. Triodia mitchellii usually dominates the very sparse to sparse ground layer. Occurs on sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14a). 10.5.1g: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.7.7a. Eucalyptus ammophila dominates the very sparse canopy. Melaleuca tamariscina and Grevillea pteridifolia are frequently present small trees. Thryptomene parviflora is commonly present in the very sparse shrub layer). Triodia spp. Dominate the very sparse to sparse ground layer. Occurs on sand plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18a). 10.5.1h: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.5.4g. Eucalyptus drepanophylla and E. mediocris dominate the very sparse canopy. E. similis is often present in the canopy. Persoonia falcata, Petalostigma pubescens, Acacia longispicata and Petalostigma banksii are usually present in the shrub layer. Hakea lorea occurs occasionally. Triodia pungens dominates the sparse ground layer. Occurs on sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18b). 10.5.1i: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.5.10. Lysicarpus angustifolius dominates the very sparse canopy. Petalostigma banksii is common in the very sparse tall shrub layer. Lithomyrtus obtusa and Jacksonia ramosissima are usually present in the very sparse small shrub layer. The very sparse ground layer is frequently dominated Triodia pungens. Occurs on sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18a). 10.5.1j: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.5.10. Eucalyptus chartaboma and E. tetrodonta dominate the very sparse canopy. Alphitonia excelsa is an occasionally occurring small tree. A very sparse small shrub layer sometimes occurs or there may be scattered small shrubs. Dodonaea dodecandra and Petalostigma banksii are often present. Triodia pungens and Sarga plumosum dominate the sparse ground layer. Occurs on sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14b). 10.5.1x1: Acacia shirleyi open forest, often with Corymbia brachycarpa and Eucalyptus similis. Sparse ground layer of Triodia pungens and Thyridolepis xerophila. Occurs on deep red earths on Tertiary sandplain. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). |
| Supplementary description | Bean (1992), Pr; Cumming (1992), Cb; Gunn et al. (1967), Rn, Ti; Lorimer (1998), Ms1, Ms2, Ms3; Perry et al. (1964), Br, E, Wa; Turner et al. (1978), E6, E7; Turner et al. (1993) |
| Protected areas | White Mountains NP, White Mountains RR, Cudmore RR, Cudmore (Limited Depth) NP |
| Special values | 10.5.1: High faunal values as extensive areas have historically been only lightly grazed, due to presence of poison heartleaf Gastrolobium grandiflorum and absence of surface water. Habitat for Calytrix microcoma and Solanum crassitomentosum, endemic to the Desert Uplands. Habitat for Goodenia splendida known from ten Herbarium records. Eucalyptus tetrodonta and E. chartaboma occur at or near their most southerly know limits in this ecosystem. Poorly known species Polygala difficilis occurs in this ecosystemt. Hakea purpurea occurs near its most northerly known location in this ecosystem. The ecosystem is an intake area for Great Artesian Basin aquifers. 10.5.1f: Most southerly known location of E. tetrodonta near White Mountains National Park. |
| 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 | 10.5.1: Intake for Great Artesian Basin aquifers. The soils in this ecosystem have exceptionally low nutrient status and excessive permeability. The loose sandy top soils are highly susceptible to erosion. Extensive areas have historically been only lightly grazed due to presence of poison heartleaf Gastrolobium grandiflorum and absence of surface water. Cover of pasture species is often very sparse and usually confined to beneath the tree canopy. Potential threats include wildfires, inappropriate burning regimes and clearing for pasture development. 10.5.1d: Widespread ecosystem occurring mostly in subregion 2. 10.5.1e: Restricted vegetation community only found near White Mountains National Park. 10.5.1f: Very restricted vegetation community. 10.5.1g: Eucalyptus ammophila has close affinity to Eucalyptus exserta but E. exserta mostly occurs as scattered trees on skeletal soils. Rare vegetation community only found in the north of subregion 2. Usually occurs as small patches and consequently may occur as unmappable areas elsewhere in a mosaic with 10.5.1a especially near Jericho where a number of botanical specimens have been collected. 10.5.1h: Rare vegetation community only known from the White Mountains National Park. 10.5.1i: Rare vegetation community only known from the White Mountains National Park. Usually occurs in small patches in a mosaic with other map units. Patches often too small to map at 1:100 000 scale mapping. 10.5.1j: Rare vegetation community only known from 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.
