Regional ecosystem details for 10.7.4
| Regional ecosystem | 10.7.4 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 3, 1, (4), (11.3), (4.5), (9.4), (9.5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 70000 ha; Remnant 2021 65000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus persistens low woodland on laterite |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus persistens low woodland, occasionally with Acacia shirleyi. A variable shrub layer commonly occurs. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia pungens and tussock grasses. Small areas of Eucalyptus socialis subsp. eucentrica shrubland with Triodia longiceps ground layer also occur in this regional ecosystem. Occurs on laterite. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 10.7.4a: Eucalyptus persistens low woodland, occasionally with Acacia shirleyi. A variable shrub layer commonly occurs. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia pungens and tussock grasses. Occurs on laterite. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). 10.7.4b: Eucalyptus socialis subsp. eucentrica tall shrubland. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia longiceps. Occurs on laterite. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). |
| Supplementary description | Gunn et al. (1967), Ca, D, Mo, Ti; |
| Protected areas | White Mountains NP, Moorrinya NP, Great Basalt Wall NP |
| Special values | 10.7.4: Eucalyptus bakeri occurs near its most northerly known location in this ecosystem in the White Mountains. A disjunct population of Triodia triaristata occurs in this ecosystem in the White Mountains. 10.7.4a: Eucalyptus bakeri occurs near its most northerly known location in this ecosystem in the White Mountains. A disjunct population of Triodia triaristata occurs in this ecosystem in the White Mountains. |
| 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 | 10.7.4: A rare variant occurs in the White Mountains NP where Eucalyptus bakeri dominates the canopy. Mainly subregion 2. Subject to scalding due to high total grazing pressures and high salinities; >70% moderately to severely degraded with loss of ground cover and top-soil; uncertain of original condition. The soils are shallow with low water holding capacity, low fertility and high salinity. The nature of the soils and the very sparse ground cover of plants renders this ecosystem highly susceptible to erosion. Plant growth is seasonal and pasture productivity is low. There are few palatable species and their cover is very sparse. 10.7.4a: A rare variant occurs in the White Mountains NP where Eucalyptus bakeri dominates the canopy. Mainly subregion 2. Subject to scalding due to high total grazing pressures and high salinities; >70% moderately to severely degraded with loss of ground cover and top-soil; uncertain of original condition. The soils are shallow with low water holding capacity, low fertility and high salinity. The nature of the soils and the very sparse ground cover of plants renders this ecosystem highly susceptible to erosion. Plant growth is seasonal and pasture productivity is low. There are few palatable species and their cover is very sparse. |
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.
