Regional ecosystem details for 11.9.7
| Regional ecosystem | 11.9.7 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 26, 6, 20, 15, 27, (24), (11), (31), (4.4), (21), (32), (25), (29), (22), (12), (10.4), (33), (10), (28), (19), (6.4), (16), (14), (23) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 506000 ha; Remnant 2021 103000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus populnea, Eremophila mitchellii shrubby woodland on fine-grained sedimentary rocks |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus populnea predominates forming a distinct but discontinuous canopy (10-20 m tall). Occasionally E. melanophloia is present in the canopy. Lower trees are absent or infrequent. An open to dense, tall shrub layer is always present, with Eremophila mitchellii often dominant. A patchy low shrub layer of varying density may be formed, where the tall shrub layer is more than 6 m tall. The ground layer is dominated by perennial grasses and varies from sparse to dense, depending on the shrub and tree density. Bothriochloa decipiens, Enteropogon acicularis, Aristida ramosa and Aristida jerichoensis are the most common dominants in the east with Aristida calycina var. praealta, Aristida jerichoensis, Eragrostis spp. and Chloris pectinata dominant further west. Forbs are seasonally abundant. Occurs on the lower and middle slopes of gently undulating lowlands and plains formed from Cainozoic to Proterozoic consolidated, fine-grained sediments. Associated soils are predominantly deep loamy red earths with sparse superficial ferruginous gravel, or deep texture contrast soils with thin sandy or loamy surfaces over strongly alkaline subsoils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 11.9.7a: Eucalyptus populnea predominates forming a distinct but discontinuous canopy (10-15 m high). Other trees may be scattered throughout the canopy. There is generally a dense, tall shrub layer (4-6 m high) dominated by a range of species including Eremophila mitchellii, Archidendropsis basaltica, Acacia excelsa, Geijera parviflora, Alectryon oleifolius and Lysiphyllum carronii. A low shrub layer is usually present. The ground layer is variable and composed mainly of annual grasses. Occurs on gently undulating to sloping plains. In southern part of bioregion associated with Jurassic Hooray Sandstone. Associated soils are generally moderately deep, hard-setting, solodized solonetz and solodic soils. Brown clays may be present also. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17a). |
| Supplementary description | Dawson (1972), 11; Galloway et al. (1974), LU10, LU11; Speck et al. (1968), Montana; Mullins (1980), Greys Gate; Neldner (1984), 23b, 24, 34b (43, 41); Vandersee (1975), Emu Vale; Gunn et al. (1967), Girrah (in part), Skye (3); Turner (1978), E5 (45); Bur |
| Protected areas | Carnarvon NP, Taunton NP (S), Homevale NP, Precipice NP |
| 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. 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. Planned burns have traditionally been carried out in the winter dry season; further research required. |
| Comments | 11.9.7: 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.
