Regional ecosystem details for 12.12.15
| Regional ecosystem | 12.12.15 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 3, 7, 5, (4), (6), (1), (8), (2), (10), (11.22) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 90000 ha; Remnant 2021 66000 ha |
| Short description | Mixed open forest including combinations of Eucalyptus propinqua, E. siderophloia, Corymbia intermedia, E. microcorys, Lophostemon confertus open forest on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Mixed open forest including combinations of Eucalyptus propinqua, E. siderophloia, Corymbia intermedia, E. microcorys, Lophostemon confertus. Other canopy species include E. acmenoides, E. moluccana, Angophora subvelutina and occasional vine forest species. Patches of Eucalyptus pilularis sometimes present. Occurs on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 12.12.15a: Eucalyptus grandis and/or E. saligna tall open forest +/- vine forest understorey. Other canopy species include E. microcorys, E. acmenoides, Lophostemon confertus, E. siderophloia, E. propinqua, Corymbia intermedia, E. tereticornis. Occurs in wet gullies on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). 12.12.15b: Lophostemon confertus open forest +/- Eucalyptus microcorys, E. siderophloia, E. carnea, E. propinqua and vine forest species often present in understorey. Occurs in gullies and exposed ridges on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks often amongst vine forest. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). |
| Supplementary description | Ryan, T.S. (ed.) (2012); Bean et al. (1998), I12 |
| Protected areas | Conondale NP, Wrattens NP, D'Aguilar NP, Bellthorpe NP, Mapleton NP, Woondum NP, Deer Reserve NP, Kondalilla NP, Oakview NP, Wrattens RR, Springbrook NP, Maleny NP, Parklands CP, Eumundi CP, Tamborine NP, Tuchekoi NP, Ferntree Creek NP, Elgin Vale FR, Map |
| Special values | 12.12.15: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Caustis blakei subsp. macrantha, Haloragis exalata subsp. velutina, Hernandia bivalvis, Macrozamia longispina, Papillilabium beckleri, Coleus leiperi, Coleus omissus, Coleus torrenticola and Samadera bidwillii. This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). 12.12.15a: This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). 12.12.15b: This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Summer to winter. a, b: Late summer to autumn. INTENSITY: Plan for low to moderate. Unplanned occasional high intensity wildfire will occur. a, b: Moderate to high. INTERVAL: 4-8 years maintains a healthy grassy system. 8-20 years for shrubby elements of understorey. a, b: Minimum 20 years, maximum unknown, requiring further research. INTERVAL_MIN: 4. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Aim for 40-60% mosaic burn. Needs disturbance to maintain RE structure (eucalypt overstorey with open understorey of predominantly non-rainforest species). a, b: Needs disturbance to maintain RE structure (eucalypt overstorey, rainforest dominated but mixed species understorey). It is unlikely that mosaic burns will be achievable because fire would most likely be of higher intensity (i.e., likely to be a wildfire) and is only likely to occur at long intervals (at least 20+ years) during prolonged dry periods. In exceptional circumstances, different localities containing this ecosystem could be burnt to ensure a continuum of habitat availability across the broader landscape. Using this strategy maximises the probability of spatial mosaics in the landscape. ISSUES: Frequent fire is needed to maintain understorey integrity, keeping more mesic species low in the profile of the understorey so that other species can compete. It is essential that wildfires are not the sole source of fire in this ecosystem. High intensity fires occur periodically through time, however frequent low to moderate intensity fires will create the disturbance required to keep the understorey diverse. A follow-up burn soon after a high intensity wildfire can be considered to reduce germinating/resprouting mesic species. a, b: Operationally there will be many areas of wet sclerophyll that cannot be safely burnt, and will only burn in wildfire. There is evidence that suggests that infrequent high intensity fires sustain the eucalypt overstorey. If a,b sub-types are about maintaining rainforest then no burning necessary but if grasses are required then will need to maintain with shorter fire intervals. |
| Comments | 12.12.15: Often develops understorey of Araucarian vine forest species in absence of fire. Coastal and sub-coastal hills and ranges. 12.12.15a: Often develops understorey of Araucarian vine forest species in absence of fire. 12.12.15b: Patches are often too small to map at 1:100 000. |
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.
