Regional ecosystem details for 12.12.2
| Regional ecosystem | 12.12.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 3, 4, 6, 5, (7), (2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 34000 ha; Remnant 2021 23000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus pilularis tall open forest on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks especially granite |
| Structure code | Tall Open Forest |
| Description | Eucalyptus pilularis tall open forest with shrubby or grassy understorey. Other canopy species include Syncarpia glomulifera or S. verecunda, Angophora woodsiana, Eucalyptus microcorys, E. resinifera, E. tindaliae, E. propinqua and E. saligna. Occurs on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 12.12.2a: Eucalyptus pilularis tall open forest with subdominant Eucalyptus spp. and Syncarpia spp. and a shrubby or grassy understorey. Occurs on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8b). 12.12.2b: Eucalyptus pilularis tall open forest with subdominant Eucalyptus spp. And Syncarpia spp. and a distinct understorey dominated by rainforest species. Occurs on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8b). |
| Supplementary description | Bean et al. (1998), H11 (in part), G23 (in part) |
| Protected areas | Mapleton NP, D'Aguilar NP, Bellthorpe NP, Conondale NP, Glass House Mountains CP, Wrattens NP, Kondalilla NP, Parklands CP, Ravensbourne NP, Mapleton CP, Woondum NP, Eumundi CP, Mapleton FR, Byron Creek CP, Wrattens RR, Bellthorpe CP, Maroochy FR 2 |
| Special values | 12.12.2: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Corunastylis cranei, Phaius australis, Coleus leiperi and Coleus torrenticola. This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). 12.12.2a: This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). 12.12.2b: This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Summer to winter. INTENSITY: Plan for low to moderate. Unplanned occasional high intensity wildfire will occur. INTERVAL: 4-8 years maintains a healthy grassy system. 8-20 years for shrubby elements of understorey. INTERVAL_MIN: 4. INTERVAL_MAX: 20. STRATEGY: Aim for 40-60% mosaic burn. Needs disturbance to maintain RE structure (eucalypt overstorey with open understorey of predominantly non-rainforest species). 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. High fuel loads develop in a short period of time owing to bark shedding. 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. Molasses grass may become problematic as it likes the acid soils. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13 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.
