Regional ecosystem details for 11.7.3
| Regional ecosystem | 11.7.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 3, 5, (7), (6), (4), (27), (11), (9.4), (10.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 105000 ha; Remnant 2021 92000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus persistens, Triodia mitchellii open woodland on stripped margins of Cainozoic lateritic duricrust |
| Structure code | Low Open Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus persistens low open woodland often with a Triodia mitchellii ground layer. Other scattered eucalypts such as Corymbia leichhardtii or Eucalyptus melanophloia may also occur. Understorey species are usually very sparse. Occurs on the stripped margins of ranges and plateaus. Soils are usually shallow loamy red earths overlying a hard pan. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). |
| Supplementary description | Gunn et al. (1967), Tichbourne; Gunn and Nix (1977) LU 20 |
| Protected areas | Nairana NP, Blackwood NP |
| Special values | 11.7.3: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Marsdenia pumila. |
| 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; maintain hollow-bearing trees and vegetation structure. |
| Comments | 11.7.3: Eucalyptus persistens occurs in this RE with a characteristic clumped, multi-stemmed or mallee-like habit. |
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.
