Regional ecosystem details for 3.12.47
| Regional ecosystem | 3.12.47 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, (4), (3), (2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 35000 ha; Remnant 2021 35000 ha |
| Short description | Mixed heath species tall shrubland to wetter dwarf shrubland on igneous hills |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Low woodland of Allocasuarina littoralis (black sheoak), Asteromyrtus brassii, Jacksonia thesioides (broombush), Choriceras tricorne (Cape choriceras) and Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree) to dwarf shrubland of Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree) and Asteromyrtus lysicephala (back to front bush). Occurs on slopes of rocky igneous hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 28c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.12.47a: Low woodland to open shrubland of mixed species often including Allocasuarina littoralis (black sheoak), Asteromyrtus brassii, Jacksonia thesioides (broombush), Choriceras tricorne (Cape choriceras), Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree) or Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree). A sparse sub-shrub layer can include similar species, Asteromyrtus lysicephala (back to front bush) or Xanthorrhoea johnsonii (grass tree). In some instance the same species will occur as a shorter open heath with scattered Acacia calyculata emergents. Schoenus sparteus and Cleistochloa spp. are most common in the very sparse to sparse groundlayer with Lomandra spp. and Drosera spp. also present. Occurs on slopes of rocky igneous hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 28c). 3.12.47b: Dwarf shrubland of Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree) and Asteromyrtus lysicephala (back to front bush) +/- Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree) +/- Grevillea pteridifolia (golden Grevillea). Emergent Melaleuca spp. often occur. Schoenus sparteus dominates the groundlayer, with the abundance of other sedge species (Fimbristylis spp. and Rhynchospora spp.), Drosera spp. and Utricularia spp. Occurs on igneous slopes with impeded drainage. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29b). |
| Protected areas | Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) NP (CYPAL), Oyala Thumotang NP (CYPAL), Wuthara Island NP (CYPAL), Possession Island NP, Lizard Island NP |
| 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. Absence of fire can lead to domination by Grevillea spp. |
| Comments | 3.12.47: Proposed new REs 3.12.26x1, 3.12.31x1, vegetation communities 3.12.16a, 3.12.26a and proposed new vegetation community 3.12.31x2a were amalgamated in to this RE. Occurs mainly west of the Iron Range but also some areas near Coen. The structural and florisitic variation in this Regional Ecosystem is due to regular burning. 3.12.47a: Occurs mainly west of the Iron Range but also some areas near Coen. 3.12.47b: Occurs on the Tozer Range. |
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.
