Regional ecosystem details for 2.7.2
| Regional ecosystem | 2.7.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 6, 9, 5, 4, (9.1), (3.1), (9.2), (4.6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 259000 ha; Remnant 2021 258000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia shirleyi, Eucalyptus shirleyi, Corymbia setosa subsp. pedicellaris or Melaleuca acacioides woodland on low scarps on skeletal soils |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Variety of communities of restricted extent, including Eucalyptus microneura woodland with Aristida spp. or Triodia spp. Small areas of Acacia shirleyi or Eucalyptus shirleyi woodlands and Triodia pungens grassland. In the far south Corymbia setosa subsp. pedicellaris or Melaleuca acacioides woodlands. Occurs on scarps and sloping edges of Tertiary plateaus; skeletal sand over mottled zone of eroded lateritic profile. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 2.7.2a: Eucalyptus microneura low open woodland to low woodland. Melaleuca citrolens, Grevillea striata and Terminalia platyptera occasionally occur in the canopy. A shrub layer commonly occurs, including Petalostigma banksii, M. viridiflora and Jacksonia ramosissima. The ground layer includes Triodia sp., Schizachyrium fragile and Eriachne ciliata. Occurs on low rises and outcrops of ferricrete. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). 2.7.2b: Melaleuca citrolens low woodland, commonly with Eucalyptus microneura. A shrub layer may occur, including Petalostigma banksii and Acacia julifera subsp. gilbertensis. The ground layer is commonly Triodia sp. and Aristida spp. Occurs on exposures of ferricrete in erosional areas of broad, Tertiary sand sheets. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). 2.7.2c: Melaleuca citrolens low open woodland. A shrub layer may occur, including Acacia spp. and Carissa lanceolata. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia pungens. Occurs on exposures of ferricrete in erosional areas of broad, Tertiary sand sheets. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). 2.7.2x10: Acacia shirleyi woodland to open forest, occasionally with Corymbia spp., Eucalyptus spp. or Melaleuca spp. A variable shrub layer may occur, including Gardenia vilhelmii, Acacia spp., Jacksonia ramosissima and Bossiaea armitii. The ground layer may be tussock or hummock grasses. Occurs on plateau margins, mesas and hilltops in Mesozoic sandstone ranges. Ferricrete outcrop and skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). 2.7.2x11: Corymbia pocillum, Eucalyptus tetrodonta woodland, occasionally with Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Acacia leptostachya and Grevillea spp. A dense shrub layer of Petalostigma banksii commonly occurs. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Schizachyrium fragile and Aristida hygrometrica. Occasionally occurs as a Petalostigma banksii shrubland with emergent eucalypts. Occurs on lateritised conglomerate rises and low hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14d). 2.7.2x2a: Eucalyptus megasepala and E. cullenii woodland to open forest, commonly with Corymbia pocillum, Eucalyptus tetrodonta and Erythrophleum chlorostachys. C. gilbertensis, Acacia shirleyi and Eucalyptus chlorophylla occasionally occur in the canopy. A lower tree or shrub layer may occur, including canopy species, Carissa lanceolata and Denhamia cunninghamii. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Chrysopogon sp., Mnesithea formosa and Schizachyrium fragile. Occurs on lateritised Cretaceous mudstone hilltops and slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14d). 2.7.2x2b: Eucalyptus microneura low open woodland to woodland, commonly with Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Adenanthera abrosperma and Corymbia gilbertensis. Alphitonia excelsa, C. pocillum, Terminalia platyptera may also occur. A shrub layer of Gardenia vilhelmii may occur. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Schizachyrium fragile, Aristida spp. and Panicum spp. Occurs on rises and hilltops on lateritised Cretaceous mudstones. Rock outcrop and skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14d). 2.7.2x2c: Mixed woodland, including combinations of the species Eucalyptus megasepala, Eucalyptus chartaboma, Corymbia polycarpa, Eucalyptus chlorophylla, C. gilbertensis, C. pocillum, Erythrophleum chlorostachys, C. confertiflora and Eucalyptus microneura. Acacia leptostachya, Terminalia spp., Cochlospermum gregorii, Petalostigma spp. occasionally occur in the canopy or as lower trees. A sparse shrub layer may occur, including canopy species, Gardenia vilhelmii and Carissa lanceolata. The ground layer is commonly Aristida spp., Schizachyrium fragile and Triodia bitextura. Occurs on hilltops and slopes of lateritised Cretaceous mudstones. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14d). 2.7.2x2d: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.7.19b. Triodia spp. hummock grassland, occasionally with Schizachyrium fragile. Emergent Melaleuca citrolens, Corymbia pocillum, Eucalyptus cullenii, E. chartaboma and C. serendipita commonly occur. Small areas of M. citrolens, C. pocillum, E. cullenii, E. chartaboma and C. serendipita low open woodland or Acacia gonoclada shrubland may occur. Occurs on slopes and stripped surfaces of lateritised Cretaceous mudstones. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). 2.7.2x2e: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 2.7.21. Eucalyptus chlorophylla woodland, commonly with Corymbia confertiflora, Erythrophleum chlorostachys and C. polycarpa. A shrub layer of Carissa lanceolata commonly occurs. The ground layer is tussock grasses. Occurs on low hills on silicified conglomerates. Rock outcrop and skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). 2.7.2x2f: Mixed low open woodland to woodland, including combinations of the species Eucalyptus microneura, Corymbia pocillum, E. megasepala, C. gilbertensis, Melaleuca citrolens. E. provecta, Terminalia platyptera and Adenanthera abrosperma may also occur in the canopy. A dense secondary tree or shrub layer of Petalostigma banksii and/or Acacia gonoclada commonly occurs. The ground layer is commonly tussock grasses, including Schizachyrium fragile, Heteropogon triticeus, Aristida spp. and Triodia sp. May occasionally form a Petalostigma banksii shrubland with emergent eucalypts. Occurs on low rises, breakaways and stripped surfaces on lateritised Cretaceous mudstones. Rock outcrop and skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). 2.7.2x3: Mixed woodland, predominantly Acacia julifera subsp. gilbertensis and Corymbia pocillum, commonly with Eucalyptus tetrodonta, Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Acacia leptostachya, C. polycarpa and Eucalyptus chartaboma. A shrub layer may occur, including Petalostigma banksii and Acacia spp. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Schizachyrium fragile and Aristida spp. Occurs on low ferricrete rises and breakaways. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14a). 2.7.2x4: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 2.7.9. Eucalyptus provecta (predominantly) and/or E. tardecidens and/or E. chlorophylla low woodland to woodland. E. microneura, Melaleuca foliolosa, Acacia shirleyi and Erythrophleum chlorostachys may occur in the canopy. A sparse shrub layer commonly occurs, including canopy species, Gardenia vilhelmii and Carissa lanceolata. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Chrysopogon fallax, Aristida spp. and Schizachyrium fragile. Occurs on footslopes, flats and low rises of lateritised Cretaceous mudstone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). 2.7.2x5: Acacia shirleyi and/or Melaleuca foliolosa woodland. Corymbia pocillum, C. setosa, M. citrolens, C. polycarpa, M. viridiflora and Corymbia grandifolia subsp. grandifolia may occur in the canopy or as lower trees. A shrub layer may occur, including Petalostigma banksii, Gardenia vilhelmii and Bossiaea armitii. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Schizachyrium fragile, Thaumastochloa sp. and Eriachne spp. Occurs on exposures of ferricrete in erosional, Tertiary sand sheets. Shallow to skeletal sandy soils over ferricrete. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). 2.7.2x6: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 2.7.12. Mixed woodland, including combinations of the species Eucalyptus persistens, Corymbia trachyphloia, E. exilipes and C. citriodora. A shrub layer commonly occurs, including Dodonaea filifolia and Acacia spp. The ground layer is dominated by Cleistochloa subjuncea and Aristida spp. Occurs on exposed ferricrete on Mesozoic sandstone plateau margins. Ferricrete outcrop and skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). 2.7.2x7: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 2.7.13. Calytrix leptophylla open heath. Emergent Petalostigma banksii, Eucalyptus microneura and E. chartaboma commonly occur. Occasionally may form a Eucalyptus microneura open woodland with dense shrub layer of Calytrix leptophylla. Taller shrubs may occur, including Acacia spp., Jacksonia ramosissima, Melaleuca nervosa and M. citrolens. Occurs on outcrops of ferricrete within undulating Tertiary sand sheets. Skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14a). 2.7.2x8: Corymbia pocillum, Eucalyptus chartaboma, Corymbia serendipita open woodland (occasionally isolated trees). A shrub layer may occur, including juvenile canopy species and Acacia leptostachya. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia sp. Occurs on stripped surfaces and ferricrete margins of Mesozoic sandstone plateaus and hilltops. Ferricrete outcrop and skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14a). 2.7.2x9: Mixed low open woodland to woodland, including combinations of the species Eucalyptus chartaboma, Erythrophleum chlorostachys, Corymbia polycarpa, C. gilbertensis, Eucalyptus similis and E. microneura. A lower tree or shrub layer may occur, including Acacia spp. and Petalostigma banksii. The ground layer is commonly Schizachyrium fragile and Aristida hygrometrica. Occurs on outcrops of exposed laterite in Tertiary sand sheets. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14a). |
| Supplementary description | Perry et al. (1964), Dandry, Strathmore (north), Abingdon |
| Protected areas | Rungulla NP, Bulleringa NP, Rungulla RR, Littleton NP |
| Special values | 2.7.2: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Drummondita calida, Macropteranthes montana. 2.7.2x2a: Supports plant species with restricted geographic ranges. Occurs at the southern range extent of Eucalyptus megasepala. 2.7.2x2b: Supports plant species with restricted geographic ranges. 2.7.2x2c: Supports plant species with restricted geographic ranges. Occurs at the southern range extent of Eucalyptus megasepala. 2.7.2x2f: Supports plant species with restricted geographic ranges. 2.7.2x4: Supports plant species with restricted geographic ranges. 2.7.2x6: Supports locally uncommon plant species in the bioregion, including Eucalyptus persistens. 2.7.2x9: Supports plant species with restricted geographic ranges. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: b: Commence soon after wet season when just dry enough to carry fire. Occasional storm burns; high intensity fires caused by lightning are a feature of this system. c: March to April, with occasional storm burns if woody weeds are a problem. a, x10, x11, x2a, x2b, x2c, x2d, x2e, x2f, x3: Burn in the wet season or very soon after. INTENSITY: b: Low to moderate. c: Low, occasionally moderate and high intensities. a, x10, x11, x2a, x2b, x2c, x2d, x2e, x2f, x3: Low to moderate, although spinifex will naturally burn with high intensity in some areas. INTERVAL: b: 1-3 years or longer, 3-5 years in the south (i.e., latitudes below Karumba) and in riparian areas. c: 3-6 years in latitudes south of Karumba, 1-3 years to the north. a, x10, x11, x2a, x2b, x2c, x2d, x2e, x2f, x3: 2-7 years. Fire-killed acacias produce seed at 5 years, so some longer unburnt patches need to be retained. INTERVAL_MIN: 1. INTERVAL_MAX: 7. STRATEGY: b: Maintain a landscape mosaic of time since fire to break up fuel continuity through the landscape and to avoid impact of late season wildfire. Ensure good soil moisture. c: Commence burning early in dry season to break up continuity of fuel across the landscape. Mosaic burning across the landscape at varying frequency will create patches at varying stages of post-fire response. Burn with good soil moisture to promote regeneration. a, x10, x11, x2a, x2b, x2c, x2d, x2e, x2f, x3: Apply fire at sufficient intervals such that hummocks do not form a continuous fuel layer across the landscape. Use broad scale mosaic burning. Burn when the soil is moist as it promotes post-fire recovery of spinifex. ISSUES: b: Repeat early season burns where there are overabundant seedlings and saplings is not recommended. c: Retaining grasslands by preventing woody thickening may be an issue in some situations. A long absence of fire or low intensity fire too early in the season may lead to overabundant seedlings and saplings. Invasive and high biomass grasses (e.g., buffel, Para and grader grasses) may increase fire severity to the detriment of these ecosystems. a, x10, x11, x2a, x2b, x2c, x2d, x2e, x2f, x3: Spinifex is highly flammable. Green spinifex will also burn readily. |
| Comments | 2.7.2: Variable ecosystem requiring further analysis. 2.7.2a: Isolated patches west of the upper Gilbert River. 2.7.2x3: Was previously mapped as 2.5.10x1. 2.7.2x8: A poorly surveyed ecosystem. 2.7.2x9: A rare ecosystem. |
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.
