Regional ecosystem details for 11.3.9
| Regional ecosystem | 11.3.9 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 14, 1, 2, (3), (6), (12), (11), (9.4), (4), (8.4), (8.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 145000 ha; Remnant 2021 61000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus platyphylla, Corymbia spp. woodland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus platyphylla with occasional trees of Corymbia clarksoniana, C. intermedia, E. tereticornis or Lophostemon suaveolens woodland to open woodland. A lower tree layer of Melaleuca viridiflora is occasionally present. This association has a grassy ground layer, with species including Heteropogon contortus, Sorghum nitidum, Chrysopogon fallax, Alloteropsis semialata and Aristida holathera, or in some situations with short grasses such as Chloris spp., Fimbristylis dichotoma, Cyperus spp., Schizachyrium fragile and Ectrosia leporina. Occurs on Cainozoic alluvial plains, on sandy surface with clay subsoil. Usually with "wet" influence, either closely adjacent to major river, or undergoes inundation relatively frequently. May occur in wet depressions. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.3.9a: Eucalyptus acmenoides +/- E. drepanophylla, +/- E. platyphylla woodland. Occurs on Cainozoic alluvial plains, on sandy surface with clay subsoil. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18a). |
| Supplementary description | Christian et al. (1953), Manton, Clare; Forster and Barton (1995), Daly |
| Protected areas | Shoalwater Bay CP, Bowling Green Bay NP, Baga NP, Magnetic Island NP, Wongaloo CP, Bolger Bay CP, Mount Archer NP, Cape Upstart NP, Horseshoe Lagoon CP, Magnetic Island CP 1, Bowling Green Bay CP, Magnetic Island CP 2 |
| Special values | 11.3.9: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Macrozamia serpentina. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Early dry season when there is good soil moisture, with some later fires in the early storm season or after good spring rains. INTENSITY: Primarily low to moderate, with occasional high intensity fires. INTERVAL: Typically 2 - 7 years, with some areas longer unburnt. INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 7. STRATEGY: A predominance of early dry season fires is recommended, although there is value in occasional late dry season fires, or storm burns, over small areas. Burning should begin very soon after the wet season, to secure boundaries and adjacent fire-sensitive vegetation. Subsequent repeat ignitions can be used within the same section of land weeks or months after the boundaries have been secured by early burning, to produce a mixture of burnt areas with multiple ignition dates. Use topographical features to ignite areas as soon as they dry out. This will create a mosaic of areas that were burnt at different dates and unburnt sections within the same area of woodland. Burn away from riparian communities, which can be critical habitat for some species. Approximately 25% of the grassy woodlands within a landscape should receive patchy fires in most years. ISSUES: These woodlands have a diverse native grass and herb layer that is maintained and promoted by regular fire. Burning that starts immediately after the wet season, with follow up small fires ignited progressively over multiple dates can increase the availability of grass and herb seed, which is a critical food source for many birds and small mammals. Recently burnt grass clumps tend to produce more seed than unburnt clumps and the earlier burnt grass usually seeds earlier than later burnt grass. Maintaining a fire mosaic will help ensure protection of habitat and mitigate against wildfires. Low to moderate intensity burns with good soil moisture minimise the risk of losing hollow trees. An occasional late season burn will promote grasses and legumes. Ensure a diverse grass layer, maintenance of hollow-bearing trees and vegetation structure. |
| Comments | 11.3.9: Trees are usually widely spaced. Distinguished from 11.3.35 by greater frequency of inundation, usually few shrubs/low trees, woodland to open woodland structure. Understorey modified by total grazing pressure. Has undergone invasion by *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine) and *Ziziphus mauritiana (chinee apple) within the Townsville and Bowen regions. |
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.
