Regional ecosystem details for 10.5.5
| Regional ecosystem | 10.5.5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 3, 4, (11.26), (1), (11.7), (11.3), (9.4), (11.15), (4.4), (4.5), (11.8), (9.5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 1416000 ha; Remnant 2021 1063000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus melanophloia woodland on plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus melanophloia woodland, commonly with Corymbia dallachiana. Corymbia plena, Corymbia terminalis, Eucalyptus brownii and/or Eucalyptus populnea occasionally occur in the canopy. There is usually a second tree layer which includes Eucalyptus melanophloia, Acacia sericophylla, Acacia excelsa and Brachychiton populneus. A variable shrub layer is usually present. The ground layer is dominated by perennial tussock grasses and/or Triodia pungens. Occurs on plains in the south and east of the bioregion. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 10.5.5a: Eucalyptus melanophloia woodland occasionally with Corymbia dallachiana. Eucalyptus populnea and Corymbia plena may also occur. The shrub layer is usually dominated by Carissa lanceolata and Acacia spp. and commonly includes Petalostigma pubescens and Denhamia cunninghamii. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia pungens and/or tussock grasses including Aristida spp., Bothriochloa ewartiana, Eriachne mucronata, Eragrostis lacunaria and Heteropogon contortus. Occurs on broad sandy outwash plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17b). 10.5.5b: Acacia sericophylla dominates the very sparse canopy. Triodia pungens, Amphipogon caricinus and Aristida holathera var. holathera are dominant or codominant graminoids in the very sparse to sparse ground layer. Occurs on sandplain. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 27a). 10.5.5c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.5.2c. Callitris glaucophylla dominates the sparse sub-canopy. Corymbia plena occurs as emergent tree. Petalostigma pubescens and Olearia subspicata are usually present as scattered shrubs. Triodia pungens dominates the very sparse ground layer. Occurs on sandplain. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 20a). 10.5.5d: Eucalyptus melanophloia and Corymbia dallachiana woodland with a second tree layer of Corymbia setosa, Acacia sericophylla and Eucalyptus melanophloia. Mixed tussock grass ground layer, commonly with Triodia pungens. Occurs on plains of old alluvial fan material in the east of the bioregion. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17b). 10.5.5x1: Eucalyptus cambageana woodland, occasionally with Acacia harpophylla, Eucalyptus thozetiana and Acacia argyrodendron. A second tree layer dominated by canopy species usually occurs. The shrub layer is variable. The ground layer is dominated by tussock grasses. Occurs on sandy clay soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 26a). 10.5.5x2: Eucalyptus brownii woodland. A secondary tree layer dominated by Eucalyptus brownii or Eremophila mitchellii usually occurs. Variable shrub layer dominated by Carissa lanceolata. Tussock grass ground layer. Occurs on loamy red and yellow earths. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17b). |
| Supplementary description | Gunn et al. (1967), Le, Mo, Rn, Ti; Lorimer (1998), Ms6, Ms7; Turner et al. (1978), B1, E3, E4; Turner et al. (1993), E1, E2, E3, E5, R1 |
| Protected areas | Cudmore (Limited Depth) NP, Cudmore RR, White Mountains NP |
| Special values | 10.5.5: Habitat for near threatened plant species Cerbera dumicola. |
| 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: These communities generally have sparse ground layer. Will only burn following irregular high rainfall events. 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. Due to the typically sparse nature of the spinifex in these ecosystems, there is rarely enough fuel load to burn. |
| Comments | 10.5.5: Threatening processes include clearing for pasture development. 10.5.5a: Widespread common ecosystem. 10.5.5b: Widespread vegetation community usually occurring in small patches often unmappable at 1:000 000 scale. 10.5.5c: Uncommon ecosystem known from near Lennox and Glenstar. 10.5.5d: Threatening processes include clearing for pasture development. 10.5.5x1: Soils usually have a lateritic influence and includes clay soils derived from deep weathering. Threatening processes include clearing for pasture development. 10.5.5x2: Threatening processes include 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.
