Regional ecosystem details for 11.4.8
| Regional ecosystem | 11.4.8 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Endangered |
| Wetlands | Contains Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 7, 11, 8, (6), (13), (9), (3), (21), (10), (5), (15), (12), (16), (20), (4), (24), (10.2), (19) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 728000 ha; Remnant 2021 67000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus cambageana woodland to open forest with Acacia harpophylla or A. argyrodendron on Cainozoic clay plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus cambageana and Acacia harpophylla woodland to open forest. Acacia harpophylla may be replaced by A. argyrodendron in northern areas. E. thozetiana may occur on shallower soils. A secondary tree layer of Eremophila mitchellii and a low shrub layer of Carissa ovata and Geijera parviflora commonly occur. Occurs on level to gently undulating plains formed from Cainozoic deposits. Associated soils are usually deep texture contrast with thin loamy or sandy surface horizons overlying strongly alkaline clay subsoils. Surface or subsurface gravel is common. Contains Palustrine. (BVG1M: 25a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.4.8a: Gilgai and small depressions on clay plains usually associated with Acacia harpophylla ecosystems. Generally support a range of sedges, grasses and, when wet, aquatic species. Occurs on level to gently undulating plains formed from Cainozoic deposits. Seasonally inundated, dry and often bare otherwise. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34f). |
| Supplementary description | Gunn et al. (1967), Blackwater (2,3), Borilla (4), Disney (3), Durrandella (4), Humboldt (3), Islay (2), Pinehill (3), Playfair (4), Portwine (3), Ulcanbah (2), Willows (3); Story et al. (1967), Connors (6), Somerby (2); Speck et al. (1968), Highworth (2) |
| Protected areas | Dipperu NP (S), Belmah CP, Taunton NP (S), Nairana NP, Junee NP, Humboldt NP, Narrien Range NP, Wilandspey CP, Roundstone CP, Zamia Creek CP |
| Special values | 11.4.8a: Larger gilgai provides ephemeral wetland habitat. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Maintain fire management of surrounding country so that wildfires will be very limited in extent. Frequent fire at the edge of this RE keeps fuel loads low. Protection from fire is necessary. ISSUES: Casuarina cristata is fire sensitive, although germination can be good in bare areas. Brigalow is soft-seeded, so germination is not promoted by fire. Buffel grass invasion will increase risk from fire. High intensity fires will cause damage to overstorey. Grazing may be an option for reducing fuel loads where exotic grass such as buffel have invaded. |
| Comments | 11.4.8: Extensively cleared for pasture. |
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.
