Regional ecosystem details for 12.3.6
| Regional ecosystem | 12.3.6 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 8, 4, 10, 3, 2, (7), (9) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 31000 ha; Remnant 2021 12000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca quinquenervia +/- Eucalyptus tereticornis, Lophostemon suaveolens, Corymbia intermedia open forest on coastal alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Melaleuca quinquenervia +/- Eucalyptus tereticornis, Lophostemon suaveolens, Corymbia intermedia open forest to woodland with a grassy ground layer dominated by species such as Imperata cylindrica. Eucalyptus tereticornis may be present as an emergent layer. Eucalyptus seeana may also occur in this ecosystem to the south and east of Brisbane. Occurs on Quaternary floodplains and fringing drainage lines in coastal areas. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22a). |
| Supplementary description | Ryan, T.S. (ed.) (2012); Bean et al. (1998), C4 |
| Protected areas | Bribie Island NP, Deepwater NP, Littabella NP, Pumicestone NP, Eurimbula NP, Great Sandy NP, Poona NP, Mooloolah River NP, Carbrook Wetlands CP 1, Venman Bushland NP, Vernon CP, Burrum Coast NP, Bingera NP, Bayview CP, Broadwater CP, Wongi NP, Freshwater |
| Special values | 12.3.6: Habitat for threatened fauna species including the wallum froglet Crinia tinnula. This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late summer to mid-winter (after rain). INTENSITY: Planned and occasional unplanned burns (typically of higher intensity) influence the ecology of melaleuca ecosystems. INTERVAL: Heath 8-12 years, Sedge 12-20 years, Mixed grass/shrub 6-20 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 6. INTERVAL_MAX: 20. STRATEGY: Aim for a 25-70% burn mosaic (in association with surrounding ecosystems, as melaleuca ecosystems often just occur in patches or along natural drainage lines). Fires may, depending on the conditions and type of vegetation, burn areas larger than just the melaleuca ecosystem. Ensure secure boundaries from non fire-regime adapted ecosystems. Consider the needs of melaleuca ecosystems based on understorey (i.e., heath dominated, sedge dominated or mixed grass/shrub) when planning burns. High soil moisture (or presence of water on the ground) is required, as avoidance of peat-type fires must be maintained. ISSUES: Fire regimes for melaleuca ecosystems require further fire research. Melaleuca forests are fire-adapted, but too high an intensity or frequent fire will slow or prevent regeneration and lead to lower species richness (since these communities contain numerous obligate seed regenerating species that require sufficient fire intervals to produce seed). High intensity fires may kill trees and lead to whipstick regeneration. Too frequent fire may result in a net loss of nutrients over time from an already nutrient poor system. Fire associations are significantly influenced by understorey composition. Melaleuca communities with a heath understorey should burn in a similar way to coastal heath (8-12 years). Sedge understorey communities will burn in association with the surrounding ecosystems (so will often burn with them but sometimes not, such that these communities have a slightly less fire frequency). Mixed understorey communities burn in a similar way to dry sclerophyll, in association with the surrounding dry sclerophyll, though somewhat less frequently due to the additional moisture present in melaleuca communities. |
| Comments | 12.3.6: Generally a palustrine wetland although also some areas have been converted to lacustrine water bodies associated with the construction of bunding and levees. |
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.
