Regional ecosystem details for 11.10.9
| Regional ecosystem | 11.10.9 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 24, 26, 15, (27), (23), (11), (31), (21), (22), (25), (20), (32), (10), (13), (4.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 513000 ha; Remnant 2021 378000 ha |
| Short description | Callitris glaucophylla woodland on coarse-grained sedimentary rocks |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Callitris glaucophylla woodland to open forest often associated with Eucalyptus melanophloia in the tree canopy and a sparse ground layer. Various other tree species may be present including Corymbia clarksoniana, Eucalyptus populnea, C. tessellaris, E. chloroclada and Angophora leiocarpa which may form a mono-specific open woodland in places. Low trees such as Allocasuarina luehmannii, Alphitonia excelsa, Lysicarpus angustifolius, Geijera parviflora and Acacia spp. Sometimes conspicuous in mid low tree to tall shrub layer. The ground layer is often sparse and dominated by grasses such as Aristida echinata, A. jerichoensis, A. caput-medusae, Bothriochloa decipiens, Eriachne mucronata, Enneapogon spp. And sometimes Triodia mitchellii. Occurs on deep uniform sandy and deep texture contrast soils on coarse grained sediments. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 20a). |
| Supplementary description | Galloway et al. (1974), LU7; Gunn et al. (1967), Playfair; Neldner (1984), 8, 19a |
| Protected areas | Carnarvon NP, Chesterton Range NP, Precipice NP |
| Special values | 11.10.9: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Bertya calycina, Rutidosis crispata, Sannantha brachypoda. |
| 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 | 11.10.9: The distribution and abundance of Callitris glaucophylla may reflect fire history as regular burning prevents the regeneration of this species. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13 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.
