Regional ecosystem details for 11.10.6
| Regional ecosystem | 11.10.6 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 24, 26, (15), (20), (23), (13) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 149000 ha; Remnant 2021 144000 ha |
| Short description | Angophora leiocarpa, Callitris glaucophylla open woodland on coarse-grained sedimentary rocks. Broad valleys |
| Structure code | Open Woodland |
| Description | Angophora leiocarpa and Callitris glaucophylla +/- Lysicarpus angustifolius shrubby woodland to open woodland. Trees such as Corymbia trachyphloia, Eucalyptus melanophloia and E. chloroclada are common components of the canopy layer. There is often a diverse shrubby layer present with species including Acacia conferta, A. macradenia, Aotus subglauca, Xylomelum cunninghamianum. Calytrix longiflora, Cassinia laevis, Dodonaea boroniifolia, Grevillea floribunda and Leucopogon biflorus. There is usually a sparse ground layer composed of grasses such as Aristida holathera var. holathera, A. ingrata, A. jerichoensis, A. muricata, Chrysopogon fallax, Cymbopogon obtectus, Eragrostis lacunaria, Eremochloa bimaculata, Panicum effusum, Themeda triandra and Triodia mitchellii and forbs. In some of the valleys below sandstone slopes Eucalyptus longirostrata and in places, E. erosa are prominent tree layer species and Acacia bancroftiorum, A. leiocalyx, A. longispicata, Alphitonia excelsa and Exocarpos cupressiformis form an open tall shrub layer (2-4 m high). Occurs on uniform sandy soils in wide valleys within sandstone ranges. Associated soils are usually deep, uniform, yellowish-brown to brown sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 20a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.10.6a: Xanthorrhoea johnsonii shrubland with Angophora leiocarpa, Callitris glaucophylla open storey on coarse-grained sedimentary rocks. Occurs on deep red sandy loam. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 20a). |
| Supplementary description | Galloway et al. (1974): LU5 and 6; Neldner (1984), 29 |
| Protected areas | Carnarvon NP, Chesterton Range NP |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late wet to early dry season when there is good soil moisture. Early storm season or after good spring rains. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: 6-10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 6. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Burn less than 10-30% in any year to achieve a mosaic. Burn under conditions of good soil moisture and when plants are actively growing. Protection relies on broad-scale management of surrounding country with numerous small fires throughout the year so that wildfires will be very limited in extent. ISSUES: Cypress is killed by fire and regenerates from canopy stored seed (obligate seeder). It reaches reproductive age at about 6 years. Fire frequency less than 6-8 years will reduce cypress, but long fire interval will lead to cypress dominance and eucalypt suppression. Fuel reduction burns will help restrict incursions by high intensity wildfires that kill cypress. Fire after good spring rain has the potential to burn severely if there is no follow-up rain and re-lights occur. |
| Comments | 11.10.6: Structure and composition of shrub and ground layer varies with fire regime. |
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.
