Regional ecosystem details for 11.3.3
| Regional ecosystem | 11.3.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 7, 11, 10, 37, 8, 13, (3), (26), (14), (15), (21), (35), (20), (4), (25), (36), (9), (18), (27), (6), (31), (34), (24), (29), (22), (30), (17), (33), (12), (4.4), (19), (16), (32), (10.2), (6.1), (10.4), (6.4), (38), (23) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 933000 ha; Remnant 2021 271000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus coolabah woodland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus coolabah woodland to open woodland. A secondary tree or shrub layer may occur, including E. populnea, Melaleuca bracteata, Acacia stenophylla, Alectryon oleifolius, Terminalia oblongata (in the north), Acacia pendula, A. cambagei and Duma florulenta. The ground layer is dominated by a range of grass and forb species depending on season. Occurs on Cainozoic alluvial plains or levees with clay or sometimes texture contrast soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.3.3a: Melaleuca bracteata woodland. On alluvial plains. Riverine. (BVG1M: 21b). 11.3.3b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 11.3.3. Low open shrubland of Sclerolaena spp. with scalding and sometimes emergent trees or shrubs including Eucalyptus coolabah, Acacia harpophylla, Lysiphyllum hookeri and Alectryon oleifolius and Eremophila mitchellii, which are often associated with Eucalyptus coolabah woodlands. RE is defunct. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 31a). 11.3.3c: Eucalyptus coolabah woodland to open woodland (to scattered trees) with a sedge or grass understorey in back swamps and old channels. The ground layer is dominated by a range of sedge or grass species depending on hydrological regime, soil and management conditions. Characteristic ground layer species include Eleocharis spp. or Marsilea spp. in more frequently inundated sites tending toward a grassy ground layer in less frequently flooded sites. Occurs in flooded back swamps and old channels on Cainozoic alluvial plains or levees. Generally clay or sometimes texture contrast soils. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 16c). 11.3.3x1: Atriplex spp. Sclerolaena spp. +/- Astrebla spp. +/- short grasses. Occurs on scalded Cainozoic alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 31a). |
| Supplementary description | Forster and Barton (1995), Coolabah; Galloway et al. (1974), LU71 (in part); Gunn et al. (1967), Funnel, Comet; Neldner (1984), 32a, 32b (32); Story et al. (1967), Comet; Speck et al. (1968) Coolibah (6); Burgess (2003), Lindsay, Bluchers; Shields and Wil |
| Protected areas | Culgoa Floodplain NP, Nairana NP, Dipperu NP (S), Albinia NP, Epping Forest NP (S), Vandyke Creek CP, Mazeppa NP, Belmah CP, Mount Archer NP, Precipice NP, Palmgrove NP (S), Wilandspey CP, Peak Range NP, Blackwater CP, Minerva Hills NP |
| Special values | 11.3.3: Mature trees provide hollows for fauna especially nesting birds. Associated with a high number fauna species (Dick 1992, Venz et al. 2002). 11.3.3c: Mature trees provide hollows for fauna especially nesting birds. Associated with a high number of fauna species (Dick 1992, Venz et al. 2002). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: n/a. x1: Late wet to early dry season when there is good soil moisture. Implement storm burning when there is sufficient fuel. INTERVAL: n/a. x1: >3 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 4. INTERVAL_MAX: 50. STRATEGY: Manage surrounding country. x1: Undertake small patch burns (<30% annually) in a natural mosaic (as determined by availability of ground fuel) with good soil moisture. ISSUES: This community does not need fire. Flood events drive recruitment of coolabah. Hollow trees are critical habitat. High intensity and extensive fires will degrade vegetation structure and destroy animal habitats. Restrict extent and intensity of fires. x1: Encroachment of woody-stemmed plants (Acacia/Atalaya) through over-grazing and lack of burning may be a problem. Eremophila mitchellii is a facultative resprouter and will recover after fire >1 year interval. |
| Comments | 11.3.3: Areas of grassland > 5ha are defined as regional ecosystem 11.3.21, while less extensive areas are treated as a component of 11.3.3. Regional Ecosystem 11.3.3b has been amalgamated into this RE. The ground layer of remnants of this regional ecosystem is often extensively modified by grazing. The structure of the tree canopy has often been modified by past disturbance which has included the removal of many of the larger hollow bearing trees. Naturalised species associated with this regional ecosystem include *Parkinsonia aculeata, *Malvastrum americanum and *Vachellia farnesiana. *Parkinsonia aculeata has invaded some areas. 11.3.3c: Generally shallow drainage features grading into Billabongs (11.3.27b) where deeper definable cut-off channels are evident with a developed 'wetland' understorey. Larger areas (>5ha) of grassland are mapped as regional ecosystem 11.3.21. The ground layer of remnants of this regional ecosystem is often extensively modified by grazing. The structure of the tree canopy has often been modified by past disturbance which has included the removal of many of the larger hollow bearing trees. Parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata) has invaded some areas. |
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.
