Regional ecosystem details for 3.10.19
| Regional ecosystem | 3.10.19 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 5, 2, (6), (4), (9) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 11000 ha; Remnant 2021 11000 ha |
| Short description | Asteromyrtus lysicephala and Neofabricia myrtifolia dwarf open heath or Schizachyrium pachyarthron closed tussock grassland on sandstone plateaus and headlands |
| Structure code | Dwarf Open Heath |
| Description | Mixed species dwarf open heath often with Asteromyrtus lysicephala, Jacksonia thesioides and Xanthorrhoea johnsonii. A Schizachyrium pachyarthron and Lomandra longifolia closed tussock grassland may sometimes occur. Occurs on exposed plateaus and headlands of a variety of geology types, including sandstone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.10.19a: Asteromyrtus lysicephala, Jacksonia thesioides and Xanthorrhoea johnsonii dwarf open heath to dwarf open shrubland commonly with Allocasuarina littoralis, Choriceras tricorne, Gompholobium nitidum, Leucopogon spp. and Neofabricia myrtifolia. Emergent Banksia dentata or Xanthorrhoea sp. can be present. The sparse to mid-dense ground layer is usually dominated by Schoenus sparteus and occasionally Cleistochloa spp. with a range of sedges and hydrophilic forbs present. Occurs on exposed plateaus of a variety of geology types, including sandstone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29a). 3.10.19b: Schizachyrium pachyarthron and Lomandra longifolia closed tussock grassland commonly with Heteropogon triticeus, Themeda triandra and Eragrostis spartinoides. Occurs on exposed headlands of a variety of geology types, including sandstone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29a). 3.10.19c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.10.19x1. This unit consists of bare rock pavements with small areas of sparse herblands composed of ephemeral herbs where a little soil accumulates. In the crevices between the rocks or in depressions where a moderate depth of soil has accumulated, a tall shrubland may develop. This is usually dominated by deciduous species. Occurs on bare rock pavements on sandstone hills where a little soil accumulates. Occurs on bare rock pavements on sandstone hills where a little soil accumulates. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29b). 3.10.19x1: This unit consists of bare rock pavements with small areas of sparse herblands composed of ephemeral herbs where a little soil accumulates. In the crevices between the rocks or in depressions where a moderate depth of soil has accumulated, a tall shrubland may develop. This is usually dominated by deciduous species. Occurs on bare rock pavements on sandstone hills where a little soil accumulates. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29b). 3.10.19x2: Mixed low tussock grasslands dominated by a mix of Thaumastochloa spp., Heteropogon triticeus (Giant spear grass), Shizachyrium spp. (fire grass) and Chrysopogon filipes (native vetiver). Other grasses present may include Cleistochloa subjuncea. The hardy low perennial Microstachya chamaelea and a mix of forbs and shrub seedlings may be present. Occurs on exposed headlands of sandstone islands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32b). 3.10.19x3: Triodia microstachys (porcupine grass) grassland with Heteropogon triticeus (giant spear grass) and shrubs of Acacia humifusa, Hibbertia banksii (rusty guinea flower), Parinari nonda (nonda plum) or Corymbia stockeri (gum-topped bloodwood). The shrub species may form an emergent layer along with Livistona muelleri. Rocky and bouldery sandstone hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32b). |
| Protected areas | Muundhi (Jack River) NP (CYPAL), Cape Melville NP (CYPAL), Juunju Daarrba Nhirrpan NP (CYPAL), Biniirr NP (CYPAL), Flinders Group NP (CYPAL), Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP (CYPAL), Marpa National Park (CYPAL), Melsonby (Gaarraay) NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.10.19: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Lepturus geminatus. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: August-September up to November depending on the season. INTENSITY: Patchy and low or moderate to high. Fires will tend to burn either with high intensity or at low intensity. INTERVAL: 5-10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 5. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Apply a mosaic across the landscape at a range of intervals to create areas of varying post-fire response. Burn 10-20% of the landscape. ISSUES: These ecosystems typically have a longer fire interval than surrounding vegetation, so it is important to manage fire in surrounding country to avoid too frequent fire. Planned burns in and around heath will assist in breaking up the continuity of fuels across the landscape, preventing late season wildfires which have deleterious ecological effects. |
| Comments | 3.10.19: The vegetation communities are distinguished by their geographical location. In sheltered positions, e.g. between rocks, the shrubs may reach 1m in height. North-east. 3.10.19a: North-east. 3.10.19b: Occurs on headlands on the east coast of the Peninsula. 3.10.19c: Clack Island, Flinders Group. 3.10.19x1: Was previously mapped as 3.10.19c. Clack Island, Flinders Group. 3.10.19x2: These grasslands have a similar species composition to grasslands on granite and rhyolite headlands and islands further north on the CYP coast. Restricted to sandstone islands of Princess Charlotte Bay. 3.10.19x3: This community may form a mosaic with 3.10.16x3 with 3.10.16x3 in the steeper gullies of hill slopes and 3.10.19x3 on the rocky and bouldery ridgelines between. Is restricted to the sandstone islands of the Flinders Island group, Princess Charlotte Bay. Passiflor foetida was present at visited sites, but not abundant. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13 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.
