Regional ecosystem details for 11.3.25
| Regional ecosystem | 11.3.25 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Riverine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 26, 11, 1, 2, 6, (14), (3), (7), (24), (32), (15), (13), (18), (29), (10), (22), (31), (12), (25), (36), (21), (20), (27), (16), (9), (33), (5), (35), (37), (23), (4), (4.4), (8), (30), (34), (19), (17), (9.4), (28), (6.4), (6.2), (8.3), (8.4), (6.1), (13 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 813000 ha; Remnant 2021 531000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus tereticornis or E. camaldulensis woodland fringing drainage lines |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus tereticornis or E. camaldulensis woodland to open forest. Other tree species, including Casuarina cunninghamiana, E. coolabah, Melaleuca bracteata, Melaleuca viminalis, Livistona spp. (in north), Melaleuca spp. and Angophora floribunda, may occur. An tall shrub layer may occur, including Acacia salicina, A. stenophylla and Lysiphyllum carronii. Low shrubs are present, but rarely form a conspicuous layer. The ground layer is open to sparse and dominated by perennial grasses, sedges or forbs. Occurs on fringing levees and banks of major rivers and drainage lines of alluvial plains throughout the region. Soils are very deep, alluvial, grey and brown cracking clays with or without some texture contrast. These are usually moderately deep to deep, soft or firm, acid, neutral or alkaline brown sands, loams or black cracking or non-cracking clays, and may be sodic at depth (Burgess 2003). Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.3.25a: Eucalyptus raveretiana (sometimes emergent), Eucalyptus tereticornis and Melaleuca fluviatilis woodland. A range of other species may be present including Melaleuca leucadendra, Corymbia clarksoniana, Casuarina cunninghamiana, Melaleuca viminalis and Nauclea orientalis. There is often a dense low tree layer dominated by species such as Acacia salicina, Geijera salicifolia, Diospyros humilis and Mallotus philippensis. Coastal riverine terraces and river channels, of often siliceous sands and loams. Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). 11.3.25b: Melaleuca leucadendra and/or M. fluviatilis, Nauclea orientalis open forest. A range of other canopy or sub-canopy tree species also occur including Pandanus tectorius, Livistona spp., Eucalyptus tereticornis, Corymbia tessellaris, Millettia pinnata, Casuarina cunninghamiana, Livistona decora, Lophostemon suaveolens or L. grandiflorus, rainforest species and, along drainage lines, Eucalyptus camaldulensis or E. tereticornis. A ground layer of tall grasses such as Chionachne cyathopoda, Mnesithea rottboellioides or Heteropogon triticeus may be present. Often occurs on coarse sand spits and levees within larger river channels. Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). 11.3.25c: Eucalyptus camaldulensis or E. tereticornis open forest to woodland. Occurs fringing drainage lines derived from Serpentinite. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 11.3.25d: Melaleuca bracteata woodland to open forest. Occurs on fringing alluvial soils or near-channel levees on heavy wet clays. Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). 11.3.25e: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. tereticornis woodland fringing larger, permanent water courses. A range of other tree species commonly occur including Melaleuca trichostachya. Casuarina cunninghamiana, and Melaleuca viminalis. Ground layer is composed of grasses and forbs. Occurs fringing permanent watercourses. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 11.3.25f: Main river channels. Open water or exposed stream beds and bars. Usually devoid of emergent vegetation although scattered trees and shrubs such as Melaleuca viminalis or Melaleuca spp. May be present and aquatic species may be abundant particularly in water holes and lagoons. Occurs in river channels. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16d). 11.3.25g: Vegetation is seasonal and may consist of open water and/or a range of mainly aquatic species such as Nymphoides crenata or Hydrilla verticillata. Often with fringing woodland, commonly E. camaldulensis or E. coolabah and a ground layer that may include species such as Pseudoraphis spinescens, Marsilea drummondii, M. mutica, Persicaria subsessilis and Eleocharis spp. Occurs on waterholes in larger drainage lines and rivers. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16d). 11.3.25h: Melaleuca viminalis low open forest to low woodland, often in association with Melaleuca trichostachya, occasionally with Cryptocarya triplinervis, and sometimes with emergent layer of Eucalyptus tereticornis or Casuarina cunninghamiana. The shrub layer is sparse but includes Ficus opposita. The ground layer includes Lomandra hystrix and Oplismenus aemulus. Occurs fringing drainage lines. Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). |
| Supplementary description | Dawson (1972), 1; Dowling and Stephens (1997), 8b; Fensham (1998a); Fensham and Fairfax (1997); Gunn et al. (1967), Funnel; Mullins (1980), Tavoy, Lynwood; Neldner (1984), 18c; Speck et al. (1968), Kroombit; Taylor and Grimshaw (1994-95), Goondiwindi MU9C |
| Protected areas | Carnarvon NP, Expedition (Limited Depth) NP, Palmgrove NP (S), Homevale NP, Goodedulla NP, Bowling Green Bay NP, Expedition NP, Eungella NP, Nairana NP, Blackdown Tableland NP, Taunton NP (S), Expedition RR, Homevale RR, Dipperu NP (S), Nuga Nuga NP, Lake |
| Special values | 11.3.25: Shown to be associated with a high fauna species richness in the Taroom area (Venz et al. 2002). Within parts of the Fitzroy catchment, this RE is known habitat for the threatened freshwater turtle Rheodytes leukops. Known to be important habitat for other riparian freshwater turtle species. This ecosystem is also known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Primarily early dry season. INTENSITY: Low. INTERVAL: 3 - 5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 3. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: 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. c-g: Depending on position in the landscape, protection depends on broad-scale management of surrounding country, with numerous small fires throughout the year so that wildfires will be very limited in extent. ISSUES: Fringing communities are critical habitat. In some situations it may be best not to burn. Intense and extensive fires degrade vegetation structure and destroy fauna habitats. Restrict the extent and intensity of fires. Hollow trees are critical habitat. Green panic may be an issue and an intensive grazing regime for very short periods, may be necessary to limit potential of wildfire. c-g: If burning is to occur then implement when water level is deep enough to protect the bases of aquatic plants. Sedges are disadvantaged by repeated fires. Impact of fire on rare and threatened plants associated with mound springs that include Arthraxon hispidus and Dimeria sp. (Salvator Rosa R.J.Fensham RJF3643) should be considered. Boggomosses/springs can bounce back following fire but care should be taken where a dry peat layer has developed (particularly in degraded situations). Fire is an option for control of weeds (possibly in ungrazed situations). If riparian areas need to be burnt to reduce fuel loads then burning should occur when there is good soil moisture and active growth. |
| Comments | 11.3.25: Often associated with regional ecosystems 11.3.2 and 11.3.4 which may occur on adjacent alluvial plains. In highly cleared subregions a narrow fringe of riparian vegetation is often the only surviving woody vegetation. This regional ecosystem includes sandy or rocky banks and beds and water within channel which can be extensive in some of the larger coastal rivers. Widespread throughout the bioregion. Impact by total grazing pressure. Weeds particularly *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine) (in the north of the bioregion) and *Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass) have invaded many areas. Some areas have been modified by weir construction (Eberhard 1999). 11.3.25a: As the low tree layer becomes denser, this vegetation community grades into 11.3.11. Occurs fringing drainage lines in northern sub coastal parts (subregion 1, 2 12 and 14) of the bioregion. Naturalised species associated with this regional ecosystem include *Grewia asiatica. 11.3.25b: Very frequently disturbed by natural flood events. Occurs north of about Duaringa within the lower Dawson and upper Fitzroy Rivers. Weeds particularly rubber vine Cryptostegia grandiflora (in the north of the bioregion) and Lantana camara have invaded many areas. 11.3.25g: Larger waterholes (> 5ha) are included here while smaller ones are included with river channels (11.3.25f). 11.3.25h: Occurs in isolated patches across the southern Brigalow Belt. Widely distributed in the Upper Burnett River catchment, including Three Moon Creek and on major streams in the Biloela-Banana areas. Naturalised species associated with this regional ecosystem include *Megathyrsus maximus and *Cynodon dactylon. |
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.
