Regional ecosystem details for 2.3.21
| Regional ecosystem | 2.3.21 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 4, 6, 9, (5), (3.1), (1), (3.8), (9.1), (9.2), (9.3), (3.6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 371000 ha; Remnant 2021 359000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus leptophleba, Corymbia polycarpa, C. confertiflora, C. bella woodland on active levees and terraces associated with major watercourses in the east |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Mixed woodland to open woodland, with a combination of the species, Eucalyptus leptophleba, Corymbia polycarpa, C. confertiflora, C. bella, E. microtheca and E. tetrodonta. Occasional canopy species include Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Terminalia platyphylla. A lower tree or shrub layer may occur, including Melaleuca spp., Lysiphyllum cunninghamii and Terminalia spp. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Heteropogon contortus, Chrysopogon fallax and Aristida spp. Occurs on active levees and terraces associated with current major watercourses (outside of river deltas) in the east of the bioregion. Fine sands, alluvial soils and red earths. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 2.3.21a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.72a. Mixed open woodland to woodland, including combinations of the species Corymbia polycarpa, C. bella, C. curtipes, Eucalyptus leptophleba, C. confertiflora, Erythrophleum chlorostachys, C. clarksoniana. Corymbia grandifolia subsp. grandifolia, Eucalyptus microtheca, Parinari nonda, Eucalyptus tetrodonta and Terminalia platyphylla occasionally occur in the canopy. A secondary tree layer commonly occurs, including canopy species, Melaleuca spp. and Syzygium eucalyptoides. A variable shrub layer commonly occurs. The ground layer is tussock grasses, commonly Heteropogon contortus and Themeda arguens. Occurs on levees on Quaternary alluvial plains (inner zones of river deltas). Brown sands and sandy loam soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.21b: Mixed woodland, including combinations of the species Eucalyptus leptophleba, Corymbia confertiflora, C. terminalis, C. polycarpa and C. bella. Occasional canopy species include Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Lysiphyllum cunninghamii. A sparse, variable shrub layer may occur. The ground layer is tussock grasses, commonly Heteropogon contortus and Chrysopogon fallax. Occurs on levees and active Quaternary alluvial plains, associated with upper reaches of major watercourses (not associated with river deltas). Brown sandy and silty loam soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.21c: Mixed woodland, including combinations of the species Eucalyptus microtheca, Corymbia polycarpa. C. bella and C. confertiflora. Occasional canopy species include Terminalia platyphylla and Cathormion umbellatum. A secondary tree layer commonly occurs, including Corypha utan and Excoecaria parvifolia. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Chrysopogon fallax and Enteropogon minutus. Occurs on levees in active Quaternary alluvial systems. Brown silty clay and clay loam soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16c). 2.3.21e: Corymbia bella woodland, commonly with Terminalia platyphylla. Occasional canopy species include Eucalyptus leptophleba and Corymbia confertiflora. A shrub layer of Ficus opposita may occur. Occurs on low level terraces of major watercourses. Yellow-brown silty loam soils. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.21f: Mixed woodland, including combinations of the species Eucalyptus leptophleba, E. tetrodonta, Corymbia polycarpa, Erythrophleum chlorostachys and C. confertiflora. Occasional canopy species include C. clarksoniana, Eucalyptus melanophloia and C. pocillum. A sparse, variable shrub layer commonly occurs. The ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon contortus. Occurs on recently abandoned levees in active Quaternary alluvial systems, associated with upper reaches of major watercourses. Brown sandy clay loam soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.21g: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.72b. Mixed low open woodland to woodland, including combinations of the species Corymbia polycarpa, C. curtipes, Eucalyptus leptophleba, C. confertiflora, Erythrophleum chlorostachys, C. bella, Parinari nonda and Eucalyptus pruinosa subsp. pruinosa. A lower tree or shrub layer commonly occurs, including Melaleuca spp., Lysiphyllum cunninghamii, Terminalia spp., Planchonia careya and Syzygium eucalyptoides. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Heteropogon spp., Iseilema spp., and Panicum spp. Occurs on levees on Quaternary alluvial plains (outer zones of river deltas). Brown sandy loam and sandy clay loam soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.21h: Mixed open woodland to woodland, with combinations of the species Corymbia polycarpa, Eucalyptus tetrodonta, Erythrophleum chlorostachys, C. setosa and C. dallachiana. A lower tree or shrub layer commonly occurs, including canopy species, Melaleuca spp., Syzygium eucalyptoides and Alphitonia pomaderroides. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Thaumastochloa spp., Eragrostis spp. and Perotis rara. Occurs on abandoned levees on Quaternary deposits (recent Pleistocene surface). Brown sands and sandy loams soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.21i: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.72a. Mixed woodland, including combinations of the species Corymbia polycarpa, C. clarksoniana, Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Eucalyptus tetrodonta, C. curtipes and C. confertiflora. A lower tree layer may occur, including Lysiphyllum cunninghamii, Terminalia spp. and Planchonia careya. A sparse, variable shrub layer may occur. The ground layer is tussock grasses, commonly Heteropogon contortus and Themeda arguens. Occurs on levees on Quaternary alluvial plains (inner zones of river deltas). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.21j: Eucalyptus leptophleba and/or Corymbia polycarpa and/or C. confertiflora woodland to open woodland. Occasional canopy species include Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Eucalyptus tetrodonta and Eucalyptus microneura. A secondary tree or shrub layer may occur, including Melaleuca viridiflora, Terminalia spp. and Grevillea spp. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Aristida hygrometrica, Chrysopogon sp. and Eragrostis spp. Occurs on levees and active Quaternary alluvial plains of upper tributary watercourses in the east of the bioregion. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.21x1: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 2.3.64. Eucalyptus melanophloia open woodland. A lower tree layer of Terminalia platyptera commonly occurs. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Schizachyrium fragile, Sarga plumosum and Aristida ingrata. Occurs on infrequently flooded Quaternary alluvial plains. Orange to brown sandy loam soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17b). 2.3.21x12: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 2.3.24c. Mixed woodland to open forest, with combinations of the species Celtis paniculata, Terminalia platyphylla, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Thryptomene oligandra, Canarium australianum, Parinari nonda and Acacia spp. A variable shrub layer commonly occurs, including Margaritaria dubium-traceyi, Antidesma parvifolium and Syzygium eucalyptoides. The ground layer is sparse tussock grasses. Occurs on elevated terraces in channels of larger watercourses. Pale brown sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16a). 2.3.21x3a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.21h. Mixed open woodland to woodland, with combinations of the species Corymbia polycarpa, Eucalyptus tetrodonta, Erythrophleum chlorostachys, C. dallachiana and C. setosa. C. confertiflora and Parinari nonda occasionally occur in the canopy. A lower tree or shrub layer commonly occurs, including Melaleuca viridiflora, Syzygium eucalyptoides, Thryptomene oligandra and Planchonia careya. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Schizachyrium fragile, Thaumastochloa major and Aristida spp. Occurs on abandoned levees on old alluvial plains (recent Pleistocene surface). Brown sands and sandy loams soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 2.3.21x3b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.3.65. Neofabricia mjoebergii low open woodland, commonly with Melaleuca viridiflora, M. nervosa and Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa. A shrub layer, dominated by Acacia torulosa, commonly occurs. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Schizachyrium fragile, Perotis rara and Thaumastochloa major. Occurs on abandoned levees on old alluvial plains (recent Pleistocene surface). Pale brown sands and sandy loams soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21a). |
| Supplementary description | Galloway et al. (1970), Cumbulla, Radnor; Neldner and Clarkson (1995), 80; Perry et al. (1964), Miranda, Gilbert |
| Protected areas | Staaten River NP, Errk Oykangand NP (CYPAL), Rungulla NP |
| Special values | 2.3.21: Significant habitat for arboreal mammals and for animals using hollows. 2.3.21j: Provincial refuge for some woodland flora and fauna. 2.3.21x12: Supports locally uncommon plant species. 2.3.21x3b: The only mappable occurrence of Neofabricia mjoebergii in the bioregion. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Dry season. Begin burning early in the fire season, followed by progressive patch fires burnt through the year. INTENSITY: Various. INTERVAL: 1-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 1. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Burn less than 30% in any year. No buffer necessary as this is a fire tolerant community. ISSUES: Maintaining a fire mosaic will ensure protection of animal habitats and mitigate against wildfires. Management of this inherently stable, and fire tolerant vegetation type should be based on maintaining animal habitats and preventing extensive wildfire. |
| Comments | 2.3.21: Survey required to verify condition. Subject to high total grazing pressure and clearing for intensive agriculture. *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine) invading some areas. 2.3.21a: Commonly invaded by *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine) and *Mesosphaerum suaveolens (hyptis). Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure, particularly in the wet season. 2.3.21b: Commonly invaded by *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine) and *Mesosphaerum suaveolens (hyptis). Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure, particularly in the wet season. 2.3.21c: Commonly invaded by *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine). Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. 2.3.21e: The ground layer is heavily invaded by exotic species, including *Mesosphaerum suaveolens (hyptis) and *Alternanthera ficoidea. Commonly invaded by *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine). Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure and invasion by exotic species. 2.3.21f: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure, particularly in the wet season. 2.3.21g: Commonly invaded by *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine) and *Mesosphaerum suaveolens (hyptis). Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure, particularly in the wet season. 2.3.21h: Was previously mapped as 2.3.21x3a. 2.3.21i: Commonly invaded by *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine) and *Mesosphaerum suaveolens (hyptis). Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure, particularly in the wet season. 2.3.21j: Was previously mapped as 2.3.23a and 2.3.28c. Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. 2.3.21x1: Associated with the Gilbert River. Threatening processes associated with potential expansion of intensive agriculture in the area. 2.3.21x12: A poorly surveyed ecosystem. Associated with the Lynd, Red and Staaten Rivers. Not burnt, or if burnt, infrequent. Commonly invaded by *Mesosphaerum suaveolens (hyptis), *Sida acuta and *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine). 2.3.21x3b: A rare vegetation community. |
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.
2 Superseded: Revision of the regional ecosystem classification removed this regional ecosystem code from use. It is included in the regional ecosystem description database because the RE code may appear in older versions of RE mapping and the Vegetation Management regulation.
