Regional ecosystem details for 10.7.12
| Regional ecosystem | 10.7.12 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, 2, 9.4, (3), (11.24), (11.26) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 33000 ha; Remnant 2021 30000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus drepanophylla or Eucalyptus crebra woodland on laterite |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus drepanophylla or Eucalyptus crebra open woodland to woodland. A variable secondary tree layer is usually present. An Acacia spp. dominated shrub layer is usually present. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia pungens. Occurs on undulating terrain with shallow, often gravelly, yellow earths on lateritic surfaces. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 12a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 10.7.12a: Eucalyptus drepanophylla open woodland to woodland, commonly with Corymbia leichhardtii. A variable secondary tree layer is usually present. An Acacia spp. dominated shrub layer is usually present. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia pungens. Occurs on lateritic surfaces. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 12a). 10.7.12b: Eucalyptus crebra woodland, commonly with Eucalyptus melanophloia. A secondary tree layer, including Corymbia setosa and Eucalyptus crebra is usually present. An Acacia spp. dominated shrub layer is usually present. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia pungens. Occurs on lateritic surfaces. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 12b). |
| Protected areas | White Mountains NP, White Mountains RR, Cudmore (Limited Depth) NP |
| Special values | 10.7.12: Hakea purpurea occurs near its most northerly known location in this habitat near Jericho. |
| 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 | 10.7.12: The soils are shallow with low water holding capacity and low fertility. Plant growth is seasonal and pasture productivity is low. There are few palatable species and their cover is sparse. Potential threats to this ecosystem are mainly from inappropriate fire regimes and cattle grazing. 10.7.12a: Occurs in parts of subregions 2 and 4. |
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.
