Regional ecosystem details for 11.5.2
| Regional ecosystem | 11.5.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 16, 11, (5), (21), (6), (22), (3), (31), (17), (14), (20), (12), (10), (8), (27), (7), (13), (18), (12.10), (9.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 361000 ha; Remnant 2021 189000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus crebra, Corymbia spp., with E. moluccana woodland on lower slopes of Cainozoic sand plains and/or remnant surfaces |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus crebra +/- Corymbia clarksoniana +/- C. citriodora +/- E. moluccana woodland. Sparse ground layer and sparse to mid-dense shrub/low tree layer. On duplex soils, Allocasuarina luehmannii low tree layer is often present and can be the dominant layer in some areas. Other canopy or sub-canopy trees that may be present include Lysicarpus angustifolius, Acacia rhodoxylon, Eucalyptus exserta, E. tenuipes and Corymbia tessellaris. Occurs on Cainozoic sandplains which are often below hills and ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.5.2a: Allocasuarina luehmannii low tree layer with or without emergent woodland. Occurs on Cainozoic sandplains which are often below hills and ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). |
| Supplementary description | Dowling and Stephens (1997), 2, 3, 9; Speck et al. (1968), Melbadale; Gunn and Nix (1977) LU 16 |
| Protected areas | Humboldt NP, Blackdown Tableland NP, Taunton NP (S), Goodedulla NP, Palmgrove NP (S), Junee NP, Reinke Scrub CP |
| Special values | 11.5.2: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Acacia storyi. |
| 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. INTERVAL_MIN: 6. 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. a: Restrict to less than 30-60% in any year. Rotate burns in mosaic patches. Maintain fire management of surrounding country so that wildfires will be very limited in extent. Burn under conditions of good soil moisture and when plants are actively growing. 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. a: Maintaining a fire mosaic will ensure protection of fauna habitats (such as dense stands of A. luehmannii) and mitigate against wildfires. Allocasuarina luehmannii (bull oak) can be both killed by fire and regenerate from seed following fire. Bull oak thickening/creation of whipstick communities may be controlled with planned low intensity burns. Drought index will help deliver required guideline. Jewel butterfly is significant in this community, but the jewel butterfly needs thick leaf litter/mature bull oak; so high intensity fire (or fire that removes the litter layer) could be detrimental to survival. Allocasuarina is also an important food source for glossy-black cockatoo. |
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.
