Regional ecosystem details for 3.11.18
| Regional ecosystem | 3.11.18 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, 2, 5, (9.3), (8), (6), (4), (7), (2.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 45000 ha; Remnant 2021 45000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca stenostachya and / or M. viridiflora +/- M. citrolens low open woodland on metamorphic footslopes |
| Structure code | Low Open Woodland |
| Description | Melaleuca stenostachya (fibre-barked teatree) and/or Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree) low open woodland to low woodland occasionally with Corymbia spp. M. citrolens (scrub teatree) may also dominate in some areas. Scattered emergent Corymbia spp. or Eucalyptus spp. occasionally occur. A very sparse sub-canopy dominated by Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) may be present. A very sparse shrub layer of may occur with scattered canopy and heath species. The sparse grassy ground layers often dominated by Schizachyrium spp., Sarga plumosum (sorghum) or Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass). Occurs on footslopes of metamorphic hills & ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.11.18a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.11.18. Melaleuca stenostachya (fibre-barked teatree) trees dominate the sparse canopy (7-10m tall). Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree) is a frequent canopy tree and may be dominant in some areas. M. citrolens (scrub teatree) may also dominate in some areas. Scattered emergent Corymbia stockeri (gum-topped bloodwood) trees (12-13m tall) may be present. A sparse shrub layer (0.5-1.5m tall) may be present. The ground layer is dominated by the graminoids Schoenus sparteus, Arundinella setosa (reed grass) and Eriachne pallescens (wanderrie grass). Occurs on footslopes of metamorphic hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). 3.11.18b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.11.18. Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved paperbark), together with Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree), Allocasuarina littoralis (black sheoak), Asteromyrtus brassii and sometimes Acacia brassii (Brass's wattle) dominate the sparse canopy (4-12m tall). Corymbia nesophila (Melville Island bloodwood) and less frequently Eucalyptus tetrodonta (Darwin stringybark) are present as emergent trees (9-16m tall). The same species dominate the sparse low tree layer (2-5m tall). A sparse shrub layer (0.5-3m tall) is present, with Acacia calyculata, Persoonia falcata (geebung), Hibbertia banksii forma banksii, Melaleuca viridiflora, Asteromyrtus lysicephala (back to front bush) and Choriceras tricorne (Cape Choriceras) occurring at the highest densities. The ground layer is sparse, and frequently dominated by Xanthorrhoea johnsonii (grass tree). Commonly encountered graminoids include Eriachne spp. (wanderrie grasses), Schoenus sparteus and Cleistochloa spp. Occurs on metamorphic ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 28c). 3.11.18c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.12.46. Melaleuca stenostachya (fibre-barked teatree) trees dominate the sparse canopy (7-10m tall). Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree) is a frequent canopy tree. Scattered emergent Corymbia stockeri (gum-topped bloodwood) trees (12-13m tall) are often present. A sparse shrub layer (0.5-1.5m tall) may be present. The ground layer is dominated by the graminoids Schoenus sparteus, Arundinella setosa (reed grass) and Eriachne pallescens (wanderrie grass). Occurs on low hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). 3.11.18x1: Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree) low open woodland to low woodland occasionally with Eucalyptus platyphylla. Emergent Eucalyptus platyphylla or Corymbia dallachiana may occasionally occur. A sub-canopy of Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree) may be present. A very sparse shrub layer of Grevillea parallela, Melaleuca viridiflora and Santalum lanceolatum may occur. The dense grassy ground layers is often dominated by Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass). Occurs on footslopes of metamorphic ranges and undulating rises. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 28c). |
| Protected areas | Cape Melville NP (CYPAL), Olkola NP (CYPAL), Oyala Thumotang NP (CYPAL), Juunju Daarrba Nhirrpan NP (CYPAL), Alwal NP (CYPAL), Muundhi (Jack River) NP (CYPAL), Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) NP (CYPAL), Olkola (Kurrumbila) RR 2 |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Burn any time after the wet season when sufficiently dry to carry fire, with occasional storm or late dry season burns (Oct-Jan). INTENSITY: Low to moderate, with some high intensity burns late in the dry season. INTERVAL: 1-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 1. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Apply a mosaic of burns to break up the continuity of fuels across the landscape and limit the extent of late season wildfire. Begin burning early in the fire season, followed by progressive patch fires burnt through the year. Burn up to 30% in any year. ISSUES: High intensity fires are required to prevent vegetation thickening. High intensity fires will be difficult to achieve because of low fuel availability and accumulation rates and typically moister conditions. |
| Comments | 3.11.18: South-east of the bioregion. 3.11.18a: South-east of the bioregion and Lockhart River area. 3.11.18b: Lockhart River area. 3.11.18c: South-east. 3.11.18x1: South of bioregion. |
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.
