Regional ecosystem details for 3.12.32
| Regional ecosystem | 3.12.32 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 1 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 1000 ha; Remnant 2021 1000 ha |
| Short description | Schizachyrium spp. +/- Rhynchosia spp. grasslands on granite hills and rock pavements |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | This grassland is usually dominated by Schizachyrium pachyarthron. Heteropogon triticeus (giant speargrass), Eragrostis pubescens, Eriachne obtusa, E. squarrosa, Mnesithea formosa, Schizachyrium fragile (firegrass) and Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass) are other frequent grasses. Phyllanthus virgatus, Brunoniella acaulis, Chamaecrista mimosoides, Flemingia parviflora, Polygala pycnantha and Xenostegia tridentata were frequent forbs. Very occasional low trees and shrubs may be present. Restricted to rocky ranges and rock pavements, usually occurring on granitic rocks, but also on sandstone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner and Clarkson (in prep), 189c |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Commence planned burns early in the dry season, after the wet season when dry enough to burn. Use occasional storm burns but generally avoid periods of extremely hot, dry conditions. INTENSITY: Low to moderate with occasional high intensity fire, particularly where seedlings or saplings are overabundant. INTERVAL: 1-3 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 1. INTERVAL_MAX: 3. STRATEGY: Apply a mosaic across the landscape at a range of intervals to create varying stages of post-fire response. Burn 30-60% at the property level. ISSUES: A significant issue to the retention of open grasslands is invasion of trees and shrubs following long periods of fire absence, low frequency of fire or fire applied repeatedly too early in the burning season. Woody thickening is exacerbated by stock grazing combined with repeated early season burns. To mitigate against the impact of late dry season fires, commence burning early in the season and continue through the dry to break up continuity of fuels across the landscape. Invasive high biomass grasses can promote fire and increase severity. Variation in burn seasons and short fire frequencies promote bird diversity. |
| Comments | 3.12.32: Restricted to granite hills south of Coen. |
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.
