Regional ecosystem details for 12.9-10.27
| Regional ecosystem | 12.9-10.27 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Endangered |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 2 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 5000 ha; Remnant 2021 400 ha |
| Short description | Corymbia and/or Eucalyptus dominated open forest with a very sparse to mid-dense understorey of Melaleuca irbyana on sedimentary rocks |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Corymbia and/or Eucalyptus dominated open forest with a very sparse to mid-dense understorey of Melaleuca irbyana. Canopy species may include Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata, Eucalyptus crebra, E. moluccana, E. tereticornis. Occurs on lower slopes and elevated flats with impeded drainage on Mesozoic sediments. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 10b). |
| Supplementary description | Bean et al. (1998), C5a |
| Special values | 12.9-10.27: Habitat for listed plant species Melaleuca irbyana. 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: 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. High soil moisture (or presence of water on the ground) is required, as avoidance of peat-type fires must be maintained. ISSUES: This is a low melaleuca forest with eucalypt overstorey. Melaleuca forests are fire-adapted, but too high an intensity or frequent fire will slow or prevent regeneration and lead to lower species richness. 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. 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 | 12.9-10.27: Previously mapped as 12.9-10.11a. Generally the Melaleuca irbyana understorey ranges from sparse when associated with C. citriodora subsp. variegata and E. crebra to mid-dense when associated with E. moluccana & E. tereticornis. This floristic association on land zone 3 is mapped as 12.3.19. Restricted to the Ipswich, Jimboomba and Lockyer valley regions. Being cleared for rural residential development. |
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.
