Regional ecosystem details for 2.5.5
| Regional ecosystem | 2.5.5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, (6), (3), (9.1), (5), (8), (9) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 302000 ha; Remnant 2021 298000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus tetrodonta and Corymbia polycarpa open woodland on pale earths and sands on plains |
| Structure code | Open Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus tetrodonta and/or Corymbia polycarpa woodland. Other canopy trees may include Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Parinari nonda and Syzygium eucalyptoides. The sparse to moderate lower tree storey includes Acacia leptocarpa, Alphitonia excelsa, Pandanus spp., Melaleuca spp., Hakea spp., Persoonia falcata and Grevillea sp. The grass layer includes Schizachyrium spp., Chrysopogon fallax, Thaumastochloa spp., Aristida spp., Eriachne spp., Alloteropsis spp., Themeda triandra and Heteropogon contortus. Occurs on gently undulating plains and old levees on Quaternary and Tertiary terrestrial deposits; leached grey and brown massive earths and uniform deep, structured brown sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 2.5.5a: Eucalyptus tetrodonta and/or Corymbia polycarpa woodland to open woodland. Erythrophleum chlorostachys and C. curtipes may occur in the canopy. A lower tree or shrub layer commonly occurs, including Melaleuca spp. and Petalostigma spp. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Aristida spp., Schizachyrium fragile and Thaumastochloa spp. Occurs on sandy rises and abandoned levees on broad, Tertiary sand sheets. Pale brown sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14a). 2.5.5b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.5.6e. Mixed woodland, including combinations of the species Eucalyptus tetrodonta, Corymbia polycarpa, Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Eucalyptus leptophleba and C. confertiflora. C. pocillum may occur in the canopy. A sparse shrub layer may occur, including canopy species, Planchonia careya and Grevillea glauca. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Heteropogon contortus, Pseudopogonatherum contortum and Aristida spp. Occurs on residuals of Tertiary sand sheets, commonly within re-worked surfaces. Brown sands and loams. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14a). 2.5.5c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.5.36. Eucalyptus tectifica open woodland to woodland, occasionally with E. chlorophylla, Corymbia grandifolia subsp. grandifolia and Grevillea striata. A lower tree layer may occur, commonly Melaleuca viridiflora and Excoecaria parvifolia. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Sarga plumosum, Eragrostis sp. and Chrysopogon fallax. Occurs on sandy, Tertiary outwash deposits on plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18c). |
| Supplementary description | Galloway et al. (1970), Leinster, Dunbar, Radnor, Cumbulla, Mottle, Annaly, Brixton; Neldner and Clarkson (1995), 63, 67, 88, 92; Perry et al. (1964), Hampstead, Esmeralda, Dandry, Strathmore |
| Protected areas | Staaten River NP |
| Special values | 2.5.5a: Potential habitat for the golden-shouldered parrot (Psephotus chrysopterygius). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Commence burning early in dry season as soon as ground fuels can carry fire with fire extinguishing early evening. Continue to mid-dry season. INTENSITY: Low to moderate with occasional high intensity. INTERVAL: 1-5 years, but do not burn the same patches annually. Landscape mosaic should consist of patches with different times since burning. INTERVAL_MIN: 1. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Break up continuity of fuel across the landscape so that impact of late-season wildfire is minimised. Wildfire due to dry storms late in the dry season or in the early wet are natural occurrences, but they can burn over a wide area of the landscape with unwanted intensity and frequency. Use broad scale mosaic burning. ISSUES: Overabundant seedlings and saplings can lead to woody thickening if unchecked by fire. A long absence of fire or low intensity fire too early in the season may lead to overabundant seedlings and saplings. If ground fuels are sparse spell pastures prior to planned burns. Weeds such as buffel grass and rubbervine may be an issue for some tussock grass communities because weeds increase fuel loads leading to high intensity fires. |
| Comments | 2.5.5: Unusual occurrences near junction of Walsh and Mitchell Rivers. Eucalyptus tetrodonta subject to timber harvesting. |
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.
