Regional ecosystem details for 11.12.16
| Regional ecosystem | 11.12.16 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 1, 2, 8.6, (7.1), (9.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 4000 ha; Remnant 2021 4000 ha |
| Short description | Mixed low woodland to shrubland on igneous rocks. Coastal hills |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Mixed low woodland to shrubland. Canopy species include Lophostemon grandiflorus, Canarium australianum Pleiogynium timorense, Acacia leptostachya, A. spirorbis subsp. solandri, Cochlospermum gillivraei +/- Eucalyptus drepanophylla +/- Eucalyptus portuensis +/- Corymbia tessellaris +/- C. dallachiana and semi-evergreen vine thicket species. Ground layer is often dominated by Triodia stenostachya. Occurs on coastal ranges formed on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.12.16a: Acacia julifera shrubland +/- Eucalyptus drepanophylla. Occurs on coastal ranges formed on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Usually rock soils on variable slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). 11.12.16d: Grassland with scattered shrubs or trees or very open shrubland / low woodland with Triodia stenostachya, Heteropogon contortus, H. triticeus, Cymbopogon bombycinus, C. ambiguus +/- Cochlospermum gillivraei +/- Araucaria cunninghamii +/- Corymbia dallachiana +/-- C. tessellaris. Occurs on coastal low hills of Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Frequently on low, windswept islands, or on exposed windswept locations for larger islands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29b). 11.12.16x1: Tussock grassland with scattered shrubs to low very open scrub. Various grasses may be dominate: Heteropogon contortus, H. triticeus, Themeda triandra, Sarga plumosum, Cymbopogon bombycinus, C. ambiguus, Eriachne mucronata and Triodia stenostachya. Occurs on rhyolite or granite hills, headlands and islands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32b). |
| Supplementary description | Sandercoe (1990), 15, 16, 18 |
| Protected areas | Magnetic Island NP, Townsville Town Common CP, Gloucester Island NP, Mount Abbot NP (S), Bowling Green Bay NP, Pinnacles NP, Cape Pallarenda CP, Bowling Green Bay CP |
| Special values | 11.12.16: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Corchorus hygrophilus, Marsdenia brevifolia, Solanum graniticum, Solanum sporadotrichum. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Various. INTENSITY: Moderate to high. INTERVAL: 8-15 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 8. INTERVAL_MAX: 15. STRATEGY: Burn in association with surrounding vegetation. Burn less than 30% in any year. ISSUES: Acacia leptostachya, and others, has germination promoted by fires, but seedlings require > 5 years to mature. These Acacias begin to senesce after approximately 10 to 15 years, and associated grasses disappear after around 5 to 10 years. Therefore burning intervals of 8 to 15 years can maintain the species composition and structure of this community. Ensure a mature woodland structure persists for many years in between fire events; maintain a diverse grass layer in sections of this ecosystem. |
| Comments | 11.12.16: occurs on Magnetic Island and other coastal hills and ranges. 11.12.16d: Confined mainly to Magnetic Island and occurs with 11.12.16. 11.12.16x1: Restricted to low coastal islands and headlands subject to strong sea breezes. Occurs in small areas in the Rattlesnake Island, Herald Island, Many Peaks Range - Townsville Town Common, and Cape Cleveland areas. Where this regional ecosystem occurs on remote islands, it remains in good condition. Examples on long-settled islands have been often become weed-infested, especially with blue snakeweed (*Stachytarpheta jamaicensis), tridax (*Tridax procumbens), red Natal grass (*Melinis repens) and Indian Couch (*Bothriochloa pertusa). |
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.
