Regional ecosystem details for 2.3.24
| Regional ecosystem | 2.3.24 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Riverine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 4, 6, (3), (1), (3.1), (8), (9.3), (9.2), (3.8), (9.1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 97000 ha; Remnant 2021 96000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca spp. woodland-open forest on sands in channels and on levees |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Melaleuca argentea and/or M. fluviatilis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis woodland to open forest. Occasional canopy species include M. leucadendra, Xanthostemon umbrosus and Lophostemon grandiflorus. A variable lower tree or shrub layer may occur, including Barringtonia acutangula, Melaleuca spp. and Acacia spp. The ground layer is commonly bare sand, with leaf litter and isolated tussock grasses and forbs. Occurs on channels and inner levees on younger Quaternary alluvium; alluvial sands and loams. Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 2.3.24a: Melaleuca argentea and/or M. fluviatilis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis woodland to open forest. Occasional canopy species include M. leucadendra and Leptospermum madidum. A variable lower tree layer may occur. A shrub layer commonly occurs, including Barringtonia acutangula and Acacia spp. The ground layer is commonly bare sand, with leaf litter and isolated tussock grasses and forbs. Occurs on fringes and in channels of major watercourses in the north of the bioregion. Pale, coarse river sands. Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). 2.3.24b: Melaleuca argentea, M. fluviatilis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis open forest, commonly with Xanthostemon umbrosus and Lophostemon grandiflorus. A lower tree or shrub layer commonly occurs, including M. viridiflora, Terminalia platyphylla, Ficus opposita and M. clarksonii. The ground layer is bare sand with scattered grasses and forbs. Occurs on fringes and in channels of larger, upper tributary creeks in the north of the bioregion. Riverine. (BVG1M: 22c). 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, stabilised terraces in channels of larger watercourses in the north of the bioregion. Pale brown sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16a). 2.3.24x11: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 2.3.50a. Bare sand with scattered low shrubs and patches of grasses, forbs and sedges. Occurs in larger river channels. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16d). 2.3.24x12: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 2.3.50b. Waterholes in active stream channels, occasionally with scattered aquatic vegetation. A variable wooded fringe commonly occurs, including Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Melaleuca spp., E. microtheca and Barringtonia acutangula subsp. Acutangula. Seasonal to permanent. RE is defunct. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16d). 2.3.24x3: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 2.3.53. Evergreen notophyll vine forest, including combinations of the species Syzygium forte subsp. potamophilum, Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Corymbia polycarpa, Diospyros maritima, Eucalyptus tetrodonta, Xylomelum sp., C. bella and Acacia auriculiformis. A lower tree layer commonly occurs, including canopy species, Barringtonia acutangula subsp. acutangula and Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa. A sparse, variable shrub layer commonly occurs, including Larsenaikia ochreata and Coelospermum reticulatum. The ground layer is sparse tussock grasses, including Chrysopogon elongatus, Heteropogon contortus and Mnesithea rottboellioides. Occurs on fringes and levees of major watercourses. Grey to brown silty and sandy clay loam soils. Riverine. (BVG1M: 4b). |
| Supplementary description | Galloway et al. (1970), Cumbulla, Radnor; Neldner and Clarkson (1995), 48 |
| Protected areas | Staaten River NP, Errk Oykangand NP (CYPAL), Bulleringa NP |
| Special values | 2.3.24: Provincial refuge for some fauna and flora. Pristis pristis (freshwater sawfish) habitat. 2.3.24a: Important sites for feeding and movement of birds, fish and reptiles. 2.3.24b: Supports locally uncommon plant species. Provincial refuge for flora and fauna. 2.3.24c: Supports locally uncommon plant species. 2.3.24x12: Important sites for feeding and movement of birds, fish and reptiles. 2.3.24x3: Supports locally uncommon plant species. The only mappable occurrence of Syzygium forte subsp. potamophilum in the bioregion. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Early to mid-dry season. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: 3-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 3. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Burn less than 30% in any year. Buffering is unnecessary, unless associated with fire management within vegetation unit. ISSUES: Restrict extent and intensity of fires. High intensity and extensive fires will degrade vegetation structure and destroy animal habitats. Burn only under mild conditions. |
| Comments | 2.3.24: Includes within-channel aquatic ecosystems. Subject to invasion by *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine) and * Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth). Subject to high total grazing pressure leading to habitat loss and erosion. 2.3.24a: Subject to invasion by *Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine). Subject to high total grazing pressure leading to habitat loss and erosion. 2.3.24b: Survey required to verify condition. Across the eastern half of the Red River 250k sheet. 2.3.24c: A poorly surveyed ecosystem. Was previously mapped as 2.3.21x12. 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). 2.3.24x12: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. 2.3.24x3: A rare ecosystem. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13 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.
