Regional ecosystem details for 3.10.14
| Regional ecosystem | 3.10.14 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 2 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 400 ha; Remnant 2021 400 ha |
| Short description | Allocasuarina littoralis +/- Acacia crassicarpa low woodland on sandstone plateaus |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Allocasuarina littoralis low woodland commonly with Acacia crassicarpa and occasionally A. flavescens and Banksia dentata. A sparse shrublayer can occur with canopy species, Acacia spp. and often heath species such as Styphelia ruscifolia, Neoroepera banksii, Hibbertia spp. and Lithomyrtus retusa. The sparse ground layer can include Schoenus sparteus, Lomandra spp., Digitaria spp. and Triodia microstachya. Occurs on sandstone plateaus and hill crests. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 28c). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner and Clarkson (in prep), 141 |
| Protected areas | Cape Melville NP (CYPAL) |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Early to mid-dry season and storm time burns. INTENSITY: Moderate to high. INTERVAL: 15-20 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 15. INTERVAL_MAX: 20. STRATEGY: Burn less than 10% in any year. A combination of early to mid-dry season fires and storm-burns would assist in maintaining a mosaic of fire ages. ISSUES: Fires should be lit when the conditions are high enough to ensure germination of hard-seeded plants, but when fire spread will be restricted. Heath floristic diversity is greatest in the first few years after fire. Structural diversity (e.g., epiphytes) and animal habitats require long inter-fire intervals. A mosaic of fire ages ensures both habitat diversity and restricts fire spread. |
| Comments | 3.10.14: A variant (vegetation unit 141A) occurs on the crests and upper slopes of the high mountains west of Lockhart River. It forms an open heath (1.3-2.0m tall) dominated by Allocasuarina littoralis, Asteromyrtus lysicephala, Shonia tristigma, Choriceras tricorne and Hibbertia banksii forma banksii. A sparse low shrub layer (0.5-1m tall) is also present, with C. tricorne, Neofabricia myrtifolia and Hibbertia spp. dominating this layer. |
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.
