Regional ecosystem details for 12.3.7
| Regional ecosystem | 12.3.7 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Riverine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 7, 10, 8, 2, 5, (3), (6), (1), (11.31), (4), (9), (11.18) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 124000 ha; Remnant 2021 68000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus tereticornis, Casuarina cunninghamiana subsp. cunninghamiana +/- Melaleuca spp. fringing woodland |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Narrow fringing woodland of Eucalyptus tereticornis, Casuarina cunninghamiana subsp. cunninghamiana +/- Melaleuca viminalis. Other species associated with this RE include Melaleuca bracteata, M. trichostachya, M. linariifolia. North of Brisbane Waterhousea floribunda commonly occurs and may at times dominate this RE. Melaleuca fluviatilis occurs in this RE in the north of the bioregion. Lomandra hystrix often present in stream beds. Occurs on fringing levees and banks of rivers and drainage lines of alluvial plains throughout the region. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 12.3.7a: Melaleuca bracteata open forest +/- emergent Eucalypts tereticornis. Occurs in drainage depressions on Quaternary alluvial plains. Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). 12.3.7b: Naturally occurring instream waterholes and lagoons, both permanent and intermittent. Includes exposed stream bed and bars. Occurs in the bed of active (may be intermittent) river channels. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16d). 12.3.7c: Billabongs and ox-bow lakes containing either permanent or periodic water bodies. Often fringed with Eucalyptus tereticornis. Old river beds now cut off from regular flow. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34d). 12.3.7d: Aquatic vegetation usually fringed with Eucalyptus tereticornis. Closed depressions on alluvial plains. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34d). |
| Supplementary description | Ryan, T.S. (ed.) (2012); Bean et al. (1998), E11, E12 |
| Protected areas | Lockyer NP, Wongi NP, Curtis Island NP, Bulburin NP, Main Range NP, Grongah NP, Cordalba NP, Crows Nest NP, Curtis Island CP, Warro NP, Wrattens NP, Mount Walsh NP, Bania NP, Main Range CP, Great Sandy NP, Woowoonga NP, Esk NP, D'Aguilar NP, Burrum Coast |
| Special values | 12.3.7: Habitat for an extensive range of aquatic flora and fauna. This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). 12.3.7a: This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). 12.3.7c: This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). 12.3.7d: This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Avoid intentionally burning this fringe vegetation. Burn surrounding ecosystems in conditions that would minimise fire incursion. ISSUES: Protection relies on broad-scale management of surrounding country. However, fire exclusion is not necessary. Casuarina cunninghamiana is sensitive to fire and germination after fire is typically low. Triggers unrelated to fire appear to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Issues with lantana and other weeds may result from fire and other disturbance. These communities respond to flood damage which enhances germination. |
| Comments | 12.3.7: Too small to map at 1:100 000 scale. Prone to invasions by weeds such as (Chinese elm) Celtis sinensis, (broad leaved pepper tree) Schinus terebinthifolius and (cat's claw creeper) Macfadyena unguis-cati. Canopy height and cover is highly variable due to flood damage. 12.3.7a: Too small to map at 1:100 000 scale. Prone to invasions by weeds such as Chinese elm Celtis sinensis, broad leaved pepper tree Schinus terebinthifolius and cat's claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati. 12.3.7b: Vegetation may occur on infrequently inundated areas. 12.3.7c: Vegetation occurs on infrequently inundated areas. 12.3.7d: Vegetation occurs on infrequently inundated areas. Generally too small to map at 1:100 000 scale. Important for water birds and freshwater invertebrates and vertebrates such as tortoises. |
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.
