Regional ecosystem details for 11.3.4
| Regional ecosystem | 11.3.4 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 14, 12, 6, 18, 16, 11, 2, (10), (27), (22), (15), (31), (20), (7), (1), (32), (5), (21), (19), (24), (13), (17), (9), (36), (25), (26), (3), (4), (33), (9.4), (28), (13.3), (12.10), (12.6), (8.4), (8.3), (23) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 684000 ha; Remnant 2021 178000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus tereticornis and/or Eucalyptus spp. woodland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus tereticornis woodland to open forest. Other tree species that may be present include E. camaldulensis, Corymbia tessellaris, C. clarksoniana, E. melanophloia, E. platyphylla or Angophora floribunda. E. crebra and Lophostemon suaveolens may be locally common. A shrub layer is usually absent, and a grassy ground layer is prominent, and may include any of Bothriochloa bladhii subsp. bladhii, Aristida spp., Heteropogon contortus, Dichanthium spp. and Themeda triandra. Occurs on Cainozoic alluvial plains and terraces. Occurs on variety of soils, including deep cracking clays, medium to fine textured soils, and deep texture-contrast soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.3.4a: Corymbia tessellaris woodland. On alluvial sandridges to elevated levees and level terraces adjacent to larger stream channels which are irregularly flooded or possibly relict. Occurs on deep, loose neutral to alkaline red or pale uniform sand or non-sodic texture contrast soil. This unit has very low subsoil salinity in all profiles (Burgess 2003). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). |
| Supplementary description | Dawson (1972), 2; Fensham (1998a); Fensham and Fairfax (1997); Forster and Barton (1995), Alligator, Styx, Calliope, Hedlow; Galloway et al. (1974), LU75; Mullins (1980), Tavoy, Lynwood; Neldner (1984), 12a; Speck et al. (1968), Narowie, Mimosa, Kroombit; |
| Protected areas | Homevale NP, Blackdown Tableland NP, Precipice NP, Kroombit Tops NP, Taunton NP (S), Mount Archer NP, Cania Gorge NP, Carnarvon NP, Wondul Range NP, Flat Top Range RR, Minerva Hills NP, Dipperu NP (S), Bowling Green Bay NP, Wongaloo CP, Lake Murphy CP, Bo |
| Special values | 11.3.4: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Acacia pedleyi, Callicarpa thozetii, Cycas megacarpa, Cycas ophiolitica, Digitaria porrecta, Eriocaulon carsonii subsp. orientale, Livistona nitida, Rhaponticum australe, Samadera bidwillii, Sannantha brachypoda. This ecosystem is also known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). |
| 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 (shorter in north of bioregion: 2 - 7 years). INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Restrict to less than 30% in any year. Burn under conditions of good soil moisture and when plants are actively growing. Sometimes a small amount of wind may move the fire front quickly so that burn intensity is not too severe to destroy habitat trees. ISSUES: Burn interval for conservation purposes will differ from that for grazing purposes; the latter being much shorter. Management of this vegetation type should be based on maintaining vegetation composition, structural diversity, fauna habitats (in particular hollow-bearing trees and logs) and preventing extensive wildfire. Maintaining a fire mosaic will help ensure protection of habitat and mitigate against wildfires. Fire can control shrub invasives (e.g., Eremophila spp. and A. stenophylla in the red soil country in particular). Fire will also control cypress. Low to moderate intensity burns with good soil moisture are necessary to minimise loss of hollow trees. Avoid burning riparian communities as these can be critical habitat for some species. Culturally significant (scar) trees may need protection, such as rake removal of ground fuels. Planned burns have traditionally been carried out in the winter dry season; further research required. |
| Comments | 11.3.4: This regional ecosystem occurs on alluvial plains compared to 11.3.25 which is restricted to stream banks and channels. Widespread across the bioregion. There are still substantial areas of this ecosystem remaining, although remnants are often degraded by grazing, dieback and associated lack of natural regeneration and weed invasion. While this regional ecosystem is contained within a number of protected areas, the total area reserved is small. There are heavy infestations of Parthenium *Parthenium hysterophorus in some regions on heavy clay soils with this RE. Naturalised species include *Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon. Heavily grazed areas tend to have shorter or annual grasses such as Dactyloctenium radulans or Bothriochloa spp. 11.3.4a: Corymbia tessellaris woodland. |
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.
