Regional ecosystem details for 11.4.9
| Regional ecosystem | 11.4.9 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Endangered |
| Wetlands | Contains Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 7, 11, 10, 6, (23), (5), (13), (21), (8), (14), (9), (15), (17), (12), (19), (16), (18), (24), (4), (2), (20), (10.2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 989000 ha; Remnant 2021 89000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia harpophylla shrubby woodland with Terminalia oblongata on Cainozoic clay plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Acacia harpophylla woodland to open forest, usually with a low tree mid-storey of Terminalia oblongata and Eremophila mitchellii. Casuarina cristata sometimes replaces Acacia harpophylla in the overstorey and Lysiphyllum cunninghamii sometimes co-dominates. Other low tree or shrub species such as Alectryon diversifolius, Carissa ovata, Pittosporum spinescens, Ehretia membranifolia, Geijera parviflora and Flindersia dissosperma may occur in the mid-storey or low shrub layer. Occurs on level to gently undulating Cainozoic plains, including weathered basalt. Associated soils are predominantly moderately deep to deep cracking clays that may be brown, red-brown or grey-brown, and with much surface gravel in some areas. Contains Palustrine. (BVG1M: 25a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.4.9a: Acacia harpophylla, Lysiphyllum carronii +/- Casuarina cristata open forest to woodland. Occurs on level to gently undulating Cainozoic plains, including weathered basalt. Associated soils are predominantly moderately deep to deep cracking clays that may be brown, red-brown or grey-brown, and with much surface gravel in some areas. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 25a). 11.4.9b: Acacia harpophylla, Eucalyptus thozetiana (sometimes E. cambageana) open forest to woodland. Occurs on level to gently undulating Cainozoic plains, including weathered basalt. Associated soils are predominantly moderately deep to deep cracking clays that may be brown, red-brown or grey-brown, and with much surface gravel in some areas. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 25a). |
| Supplementary description | Gunn et al. (1967), Avon (2), Blackwater (2, 3, 4), Cungelella (3), Disney (3), Durrandella (4), Humboldt (4, 5), Islay (2), Kareela (3), Kinsale (1,3,4), Loudon (5), Monteagle (5), Peak Vale (3), Playfair (4), Somerby (2,3,4), Ulcanbah (3), Waterford (2) |
| Protected areas | Carnarvon NP, Junee NP, Dipperu NP (S), Nairana NP, Taunton NP (S), Peak Range NP, Belmah CP, Zamia Creek CP, Mazeppa NP, Humboldt NP, Roundstone CP, Albinia NP, Albinia CP, Blackwater CP, Tooloombah Creek CP, Snake Range NP, Narrien Range NP |
| Special values | 11.4.9: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Cadellia pentastylis, Solanum adenophorum, Solanum dissectum, Solanum elachophyllum, Solanum johnsonianum, Xerothamnella herbacea. |
| 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 | 11.4.9: The presence of Terminalia oblongata often distinguishes this regional ecosystem from Acacia harpophylla on clay plains in southern Queensland (11.4.3). Areas mapped as 11.4.9b have been re-classified as 11.4.8a (Acacia harpophylla, Eucalyptus cambageana open forest to woodland). Extensively cleared for cropping and pasture. |
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.
