Regional ecosystem details for 2.1.4
| Regional ecosystem | 2.1.4 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Intertidal |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, (10), (8), (4), (2), (7), (3), (3.9), (3.8) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 430000 ha; Remnant 2021 430000 ha |
| Short description | Infrequently inundated saline clay plains and low samphire rises |
| Structure code | Bare |
| Description | Predominantly unvegetated but includes areas of Tecticornia spp. and tussock grasses on slightly higher areas. Occurs on saline clay plains; periodically inundated. Solonchaks. Intertidal. (BVG1M: 35b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 2.1.4x1: Sporobolus virginicus tussock grassland to closed tussock grassland, commonly with Tecticornia spp. and Xerochloa imberbis. Occasional species include Eleocharis sp. and Dichanthium sericeum subsp. polystachyum. Occurs on saline clay plains; periodically inundated. Solonchaks. Intertidal. (BVG1M: 35b). |
| Supplementary description | Christian et al. (1954), Littoral; Galloway et al. (1970), Battersea, Inkerman; Neldner and Clarkson (1995), 194; Perry et al. (1964), Carpentaria |
| Protected areas | Mutton Hole Wetlands CP, Finucane Island NP |
| Special values | 2.1.4: Most extensive marine plains in Australia. Significant wader habitat. Venturi wetlands. 2.1.4x1: Most extensive marine plains in Australia. Significant wader habitat. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not burn deliberately, but not necessary to protect from fire. Protection depends on broad-scale management of surrounding country with small fires in surrounding areas used to break up country and limit extent of fire risk. It will occasionally burn in association with fires in surrounding country. ISSUES: Grasses are fire-tolerant, but they are interspersed with samphire that cannot tolerate frequent fire. Ensure that any fire penetrating these communities occur when soils are moist. Fire can be used to control rubber vine in these communities. |
| Comments | 2.1.4x1: Previously part of 2.1.4 or 2.3.1. |
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.
