Regional ecosystem details for 2.3.61
| Regional ecosystem | 2.3.61 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 5, 2, 4, 3, 8, (6), (7), (1.4), (9), (1.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 20000 ha; Remnant 2021 20000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus microtheca woodland in seasonal swamps on active Quaternary alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Seasonal swamps (wooded). Eucalyptus microtheca woodland. Occasional canopy species may include Terminalia platyphylla, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii and Melaleuca spp. The ground layer is a variable combination of sedges, forbs and grasses, including Eleocharis spp., Pseudoraphis spinescens and Oryza australiensis. Occurs in closed depressions on active Quaternary alluvial backplains. Cracking clay soils. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34d). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 2.3.61a: Seasonal swamps (wooded). Eucalyptus microtheca woodland. The ground layer is commonly Eleocharis spp., Pseudoraphis spinescens and Marsilea sp. Occurs in closed depressions on active Quaternary alluvial backplains in the north-east of the bioregion. Cracking clay soils. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34d). 2.3.61b: Seasonal swamps (wooded). Eucalyptus microtheca woodland occasionally with Terminalia platyphylla and Lysiphyllum cunninghamii. May contain small areas of Chenopodium auricomum dwarf shrubland. The ground layer is a seasonally variable combination of sedges, forbs and grasses. Occurs in closed depressions on active Quaternary alluvial backplains in the west of the bioregion. Cracking clay soils. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34d). 2.3.61c: Seasonal swamps (wooded). Eucalyptus microtheca woodland, occasionally with Melaleuca viridiflora and M. citrolens. The ground layer is tussock grasses or sedges. Occurs in closed depressions in the Yappar River - Belmore Creek alluvial system (overlying Cretaceous siltstones). Cracking clay soils. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34d). |
| Protected areas | Lawn Hill (Widdallion) RR |
| Special values | 2.3.61: Seasonal wetland. Important feeding and moulting sites for water birds. 2.3.61a: Seasonal wetland. Important feeding and moulting sites for water birds. 2.3.61b: Seasonal wetlands. Important feeding and moulting sites for water birds. 2.3.61c: Seasonal wetland. Important feeding and moulting sites for water birds. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Burn in the wet season or very soon after. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: Determine by assessment of fuel accumulation, previous fire history and wildfire risk. 1-5 years broad interval range. INTERVAL_MIN: 1. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Maintain mosaic of time since burnt and unburnt patches in surrounding fire-adapted landscape to mitigate impacts of unplanned fire. Do not actively target burning of sedgelands. ISSUES: These do not necessarily readily burn because ground fuels are sparse. Overgrazing can reduce fuel loads and give woody species a competitive advantage. Riparian areas contain important habitat for fauna. |
| Comments | 2.3.61: A rare ecosystem. Eleocharis spp. are commonly excavated by feral pigs. 2.3.61a: A rare ecosystem. Was previously mapped as 2.3.11x3. Eleocharis spp. are commonly excavated by feral pigs. 2.3.61b: A rare vegetation community. Was previously mapped as 2.3.13b. Catchment protection of adjacent slopes required. Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure, particularly in the dry season. 2.3.61c: Was previously mapped as 2.3.33c. |
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.
