Regional ecosystem details for 10.7.8
| Regional ecosystem | 10.7.8 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 1, (2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 12000 ha; Remnant 2021 12000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca spp. and/or Acacia spp. open shrubland on ferricrete (western) |
| Structure code | Shrubland |
| Description | Melaleuca pallescens shrubland, commonly with Melaleuca uncinata, Carissa lanceolata and Calytrix microcoma. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia spp. and tussock grasses. Occurs on flat to gently undulating terrain on stripped sandplains with shallow to usually skeletal soils in the west. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 10.7.8a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.7.8. Melaleuca nervosa dominates the very sparse low tree layer. Acacia tenuissima, Denhamia cunninghamii and Psydrax oleifolia are present in the very sparse shrub layer. Triodia pungens dominates the very sparse ground layer. Occurs on ferricrete. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21a). 10.7.8b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 10.7.8. Melaleuca pallescens or Acacia adsurgens or A. tenuissima or A. aprepta the very sparse shrub layer on ferricrete (western). Different variants of this regional ecosystem are described below. Melaleuca pallescens open shrubland or Acacia tenuissima open shrubland on ferricrete or Acacia aprepta open shrubland or Acacia adsurgens open shrubland. Acacia tenuissima dominates the very sparse canopy. Triodia pungens dominates the very sparse ground layer. Acacia aprepta dominates the very sparse ground layer. Triodia pungens dominates the very sparse ground layer. Acacia adsurgens dominates the very sparse canopy. Calytrix microcoma sometimes dominates the shrub layer. Triodia pungens and Amphipogon sericeus dominate the very sparse ground layer. Occurs on flat to gently undulating terrain on stripped sandplains with shallow to usually skeletal soils in the west. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21a). |
| Supplementary description | Thompson and Turpin (in prep), M5a, M8c |
| Protected areas | Moorrinya NP, White Mountains NP |
| 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. |
| Comments | 10.7.8: 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. Potential threats to this ecosystem are mainly from inappropriate fire regimes and cattle grazing. 10.7.8a: Uncommon vegetation community occurring mostly in southern parts of subregion 1. 10.7.8b: There are occasional occurrences of a similar ecosystem in eastern parts of the bioregion recorded in 10.7.7b. |
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.
