Regional ecosystem details for 12.12.3
| Regional ecosystem | 12.12.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 10, 5, 3, (7), (8), (6), (11.22), (2), (1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 25000 ha; Remnant 2021 16000 ha |
| Short description | Open forest complex with Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata, Eucalyptus siderophloia or E. crebra or E. decolor, E. major and/or E. longirostrata, E. acmenoides or E. portuensis on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Open forest complex in which spotted gum is a relatively common species. Canopy trees include Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata, Eucalyptus crebra (drier sub coastal ranges) or Eucalyptus siderophloia, E. major and/or E. longirostrata, E. acmenoides or E. portuensis, E. eugenioides. Hills and ranges. Other species that may be present locally include Corymbia intermedia, C. trachyphloia, Eucalyptus tereticornis, E. propinqua, E. moluccana, E. decolor, E. melliodora, E. carnea, E. fibrosa subsp. fibrosa and Angophora leiocarpa. Lophostemon confertus (tree form and whipstick form) often present in gullies or as a sub-canopy or canopy tree especially on granite. Mixed understorey of grasses, shrubs and ferns. Occurs on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 10b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 12.12.3a: Lophostemon confertus open forest. Occurs in moister gullies on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). |
| Supplementary description | Bean et al. (1998), H39 and I10 (in part), J13 (in part) |
| Protected areas | Warro NP, Nour Nour NP, Mount Perry RR, Littabella NP, Ravensbourne NP, Mount Walsh NP, Tuchekoi NP, Woondum NP, King CP, Crows Nest NP, Moggill CP, Mount Bauple NP (S), Lockyer NP |
| Special values | 12.12.3: Habitat for threatened plant species including Cycas megacarpa. This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). 12.12.3a: This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Summer to winter. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. a. Plan for low to moderate. Unplanned occasional high intensity wildfire will occur. INTERVAL: 4-25 years. a. 4-8 years maintains a healthy grassy system. 8-20 years for shrubby elements of understorey. Variability in season and fire intensity is important. INTERVAL_MIN: 4. INTERVAL_MAX: 25. STRATEGY: Aim for 40-60% mosaic burn. Burn with soil moisture and with a spot ignition strategy so that a patchwork of burnt/unburnt country is achieved. a. Aim for 40-60% mosaic burn. Needs disturbance to maintain RE structure (eucalypt overstorey with open understorey of predominantly non-rainforest species). ISSUES: The fire regime should maintain a mosaic of grassy and shrubby understoreys. Control of weeds with fire might be required. a. 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. |
| Comments | 12.12.3: Occurs in moister environments than 12.12.5 (generally >1000mm rainfall/pa). |
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.
