Regional ecosystem details for 12.8.8
| Regional ecosystem | 12.8.8 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 1, 3, 6, 2, (4), (11.31), (9), (10) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 14000 ha; Remnant 2021 6000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus saligna or E. grandis tall open forest on Cainozoic igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Tall Open Forest |
| Description | Eucalyptus saligna or E. grandis tall open forest often with vine forest understorey ('wet sclerophyll'). Other canopy species that may be present and at times locally dominate include Eucalyptus pilularis, E. microcorys, E. acmenoides, Lophostemon confertus and Syncarpia glomulifera subsp. Glomulifera. Occurs on Cainozoic igneous rocks and areas subject to local enrichment from Cainozoic igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 12.8.8a: Eucalyptus siderophloia, E. microcorys, Corymbia intermedia +/- Eucalyptus propinqua, E. carnea open forest on Cainozoic igneous rocks. Occurs on Cainozoic igneous rocks and areas subject to local enrichment from Cainozoic igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9a). |
| Supplementary description | Bean et al. (1998), G22 (in part), G24 (in part), G25 |
| Protected areas | Springbrook NP, Lamington NP, Tamborine NP, Conondale NP, Mount Barney NP, Ravensbourne NP, Kondalilla NP, Mapleton Falls NP, Main Range NP, Dawes NP, D'Aguilar NP, Bellthorpe NP, Mapleton NP, Maleny NP, Nicoll Scrub NP, Tomewin CP, Glass House Mountains |
| Special values | 12.8.8: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Arthraxon hispidus, Cupaniopsis newmanii, Eucalyptus dunnii, Lepiderema pulchella, Marsdenia longiloba, Ricinocarpos speciosus, Zieria collina. This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). 12.8.8a: This ecosystem is known to provide suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: E. grandis communities: Late summer to autumn. E. saligna communities: Summer to winter. INTENSITY: E. grandis communities: Moderate to high. E. saligna communities: Plan for low to moderate. Unplanned occasional high intensity wildfire will occur. INTERVAL: E. grandis communities: Minimum 20 years, maximum unknown, requiring further research. E. saligna communities: 4-8 years maintains a healthy grassy system. 8-20 years for shrubby elements of understorey. Maintain longer fire intervals for Springbrook Plateau; these mainly non-grassy ecosystems should generally be left unburnt. INTERVAL_MIN: 4. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Non-grassy versions of this RE should generally be left unburnt (e.g., Springbrook Plateau). E. grandis communities: 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. E. saligna communities: Aim for 40-60% mosaic burn. Needs disturbance to maintain RE structure (eucalypt overstorey with open understorey of predominantly non-rainforest species). ISSUES: Both grassy and non-grassy versions of the ecosystems exist; these different versions occur in varying proportion depending on location (e.g., on the Springbrook Plateau the non-grassy types are predominant). E. grandis communities tend to rainforest understorey (grasses usually sparse). E. grandis communities: 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. E. saligna communities tend to grassy understorey. 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. On Springbrook Plateau this RE should generally be managed as a wet sclerophyll that would have a very long fire interval and left unburnt so that the more mesic species can develop in the understorey. A grassy system is especially important for species such as the eastern bristlebird and its habitat. 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 | 12.8.8: Mostly restricted to basaltic uplands of the south of the bioregion. 12.8.8a: Drier environs than 12.8.8. Mostly restricted to ridges and slopes at moderate to high altitude southern border parts of bioregion. |
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.
