Regional ecosystem details for 2.4.2
| Regional ecosystem | 2.4.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 3, 8, 5, (4.5), (2), (1.3), (4.3), (4.6), (7) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 1346000 ha; Remnant 2021 1329000 ha |
| Short description | Astrebla spp., Iseilema spp. +/- Aristida latifolia, Eulalia aurea tussock grassland on Tertiary clay deposits |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Astrebla spp. and Iseilema spp. tussock grassland to closed tussock grassland, commonly with Aristida latifolia and Eulalia aurea. Occasional species include Dichanthium spp., Sarga spp. and Chrysopogon fallax. Emergent Atalaya hemiglauca may occur. Occurs on Tertiary clay plains and high-level alluvial deposits. Brown cracking clay soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 2.4.2a: Astrebla spp. and Iseilema spp. tussock grassland to closed tussock grassland, occasionally with Aristida latifolia, Sarga spp. and Dichanthium spp. Emergent Atalaya hemiglauca may occur. Occurs on broad, Tertiary clay plains. Brown cracking clay soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30b). 2.4.2b: Mixed tussock grassland to closed tussock grassland, including combinations of the species Astrebla spp., Eulalia aurea, Iseilema spp. and Aristida latifolia. Occasional species include Dichanthium fecundum, Sarga spp. and Chrysopogon fallax. Emergent Atalaya hemiglauca may occur. Occurs on Tertiary, high-level alluvial clay deposits. Brown cracking clay soils, commonly gravelly. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30b). |
| Special values | 2.4.2: Potential habitat for Sminthopsis douglasi (Julia Creek dunnart). |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not burn deliberately. The grasses and forbs of Astrebla spp. dominated communities do not require fire for regeneration. Protection relies on management of fire in the surrounding country to prevent running fires entering Astrebla spp. communities, particularly at times of low soil moisture. ISSUES: Fire can sometimes be used as a tool to control woody thickening and woody weeds in grasslands. Moderate intensity fire is required for a successful kill of the woody species but good moisture levels are required to ensure recovery of the ground layer. Large scale germination of woody species is most likely to occur in high rainfall years. The best management opportunity is usually after storms at the end of the subsequent dry season, although exclusion of grazing pressure may still be required to ensure sufficient fuel loads. |
| Comments | 2.4.2: Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. May be invaded by exotic Vachellia spp. Threatening processes associated with potential expansion of intensive agriculture. 2.4.2a: Was previously mapped as 2.3.3x40. Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. May be invaded by exotic Vachellia spp. Threatening processes associated with potential expansion of intensive agriculture. 2.4.2b: Was previously mapped as 2.3.3x41. Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. Occasionally invaded by *Vachellia farnesiana (mimosa bush). |
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.
