Regional ecosystem details for 11.9.4
| Regional ecosystem | 11.9.4 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 24, 26, 20, 21, 27, 6, (31), (11), (2), (22), (19), (25), (15), (18), (10), (12.11), (12.6), (12), (12.1), (16) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 189000 ha; Remnant 2021 33000 ha |
| Short description | Semi-evergreen vine thicket or Acacia harpophylla with a semi-evergreen vine thicket understorey on fine-grained sedimentary rocks |
| Structure code | Low Closed Forest |
| Description | Semi-evergreen vine thicket. Occurs on crests, mid-slopes, undulating plains and rises formed from fine-grained sediments. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.9.4a: Semi-evergreen vine thicket, generally dominated by a low tree layer (5-10m high) which is floristically diverse and variable. Common codominant species include Croton insularis, Denhamia oleaster. There is also a tall and low shrub layer (2-6m high) dominated by species such as Ehretia membranifolia, Capparis anomala, Geijera parviflora, Capparis spp., Croton phebalioides, Erythroxylum australe, Alectryon diversifolius and Carissa ovata. Emergents (16-25m high) are usually present including species such as Cadellia pentastylis and Brachychiton spp. Usually on better sites, and Eucalyptus orgadophila and Casuarina cristata on drier, poorer sites. Vines are frequent. The ground layer is very sparse, and is most frequently composed of Ancistrachne uncinulata and Eragrostis megalosperma. Occurs on steep upper and middle slopes where heavy clay soils have formed from sediments. It may grade into Acacia harpophylla, softwood spp. (11.9.5a) on the lower slopes. It is prominent on the steep slopes of sandstone ranges, where shale has been exposed, and aspect, rainfall and runoff provide sufficient available water for its development. The soils are generally shallow, brown or grey-brown loams or light clays grading into medium or heavy clays. The soil reaction may become strongly acidic or alkaline at depth, depending on the acidity of parent material. May also occur on deep texture contrast soils, where a thin sandy colluvium overlies the clay subsoil. Loose fragments of sandstone may be present over the soil surface. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7a). 11.9.4c: Semi-evergreen vine thicket with emergent Eucalyptus crebra on hill sides. E. crebra may occur as an open woodland in same areas. Common species include Notelaea microcarpa, Geijera salicifolia, Bursaria spinosa subsp. spinosa and Pandorea pandorana. Occurs on hillsides in the Warwick area. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1984), 1; Speck et al. (1968), Wandoan, Eurombah; Story et al. (1967), Arcadia; Vandersee (1975), Emu Vale; Galloway et al. (1974), LU9; Gunn and Nix (1977) LU 101 |
| Protected areas | Expedition (Limited Depth) NP, Palmgrove NP (S), Carnarvon NP, Expedition RR, Isla Gorge NP, Homevale NP, Main Range NP, Highworth Bend CP, Precipice NP, Bunya Mountains NP, Stones Country RR, Mount Scoria CP |
| Special values | 11.9.4: Habitat for threatened plant species including Cadellia pentastylis. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: This vegetation requires protection from wildfire. Protection primarily relies on broad-scale management of surrounding country with numerous small fires throughout the year so that wildfires will be very limited in extent. Maintenance of fire breaks may be appropriate on flat country, but natural features will be useful as breaks in 'wild' country. ISSUES: Fuel reduction in the surrounding vegetation under low fire danger conditions and/or revegetation of cleared areas reduce the risk of damaging wildfires. Maintain or re-establish native vegetation communities adjacent to this ecosystem. Grazing may be useful in managing fuel loads created by introduced grasses such as buffel. |
| Comments | 11.9.4: Distinguished from RE 11.9.8 by absence of Macropteranthes leichhardtii. 11.9.4b is distinguished from 11.9.5 by dense softwood scrub understorey. In places the vine thicket is associated with areas that have been subject to basalt enrichment. 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.
