Regional ecosystem details for 12.3.2
| Regional ecosystem | 12.3.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Riverine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 4, 3, 9, 7, 2, 1, (8), (6), (5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 22000 ha; Remnant 2021 7000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus grandis tall open forest on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Tall Open Forest |
| Description | Eucalyptus grandis +/- E. microcorys, Lophostemon confertus tall open forest often with vine forest understorey ('wet sclerophyll'). Patches of Eucalyptus pilularis sometimes present especially in vicinity of sedimentary rocks (e.g. around Palmwoods). Fringing streams and in narrow gullies in high rainfall areas. Riverine. (BVG1M: 8a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 12.3.2a: Open forest of Eucalyptus resinifera and Syncarpia glomulifera subsp. glomulifera with a wet heath understorey. Other species include Melaleuca linariifolia, Melaleuca sieberi +/- Corymbia gummifera. Narrow gullies in high rainfall areas. Riverine. (BVG1M: 8a). |
| Supplementary description | Bean et al. (1998), G22 (in part) |
| Protected areas | Lockyer NP, Bellthorpe NP, Tewantin NP, Great Sandy NP, Mapleton NP, Eumundi CP, Lamington NP, Dularcha NP, Palmview CP, Gympie NP, Glass House Mountains NP, Woondum NP, Springbrook NP, Mooloolah River NP, Mount Barney NP, Conondale NP, Parklands CP, Eudl |
| Special values | 12.3.2: Habitat for threatened plant species including Marsdenia longiloba and near threatened species including Diteilis simmondsii. This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late summer to autumn. INTENSITY: Moderate to high. INTERVAL: Minimum 20 years, maximum unknown. Requires further research into logged and burnt communities (e.g. in the Conondale Ranges, Woondum, Ringtail, Yurol). INTERVAL_MIN: 20. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: 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: 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. Wet sclerophyll has been shown to be a moving ecotone between vine forest and moist/dry sclerophyll. |
| Comments | 12.3.2: Requires fire for regeneration. Highest-rainfall parts of the bioregion. Habitat fragmented by land uses such as horticulture and rural residential. Much of this RE is prone to infestation by weeds, especially Lantana camara. 12.3.2a: Highest-rainfall parts of the bioregion. |
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.
