Regional ecosystem details for 3.3.56
| Regional ecosystem | 3.3.56 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Contains Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 8, 6, (9), (1), (2), (7), (5), (2.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 155000 ha; Remnant 2021 155000 ha |
| Short description | Aristida spp. and/or Eriachne spp. tussock grassland in drainage depressions |
| Structure code | Closed Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Aristida spp. and/or Eriachne spp. tussock grassland. Sedges including Fimbristylis spp., Rhynchospora spp. and Cyperus spp. are often prominent in the groundlayer. Melaleuca spp. can occur as emergents. Occurs in drainage depressions. Contains Palustrine. (BVG1M: 32a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.3.56a: Aristida spp. (wanderrie grass) tussock grassland +/- Eriachne spp. (wandaerrie grass) +/- Fimbristylis spp. +/- Ectrosia spp. Scattered emergent Melaleuca spp. are often present. Occurs in drainage depressions on alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). 3.3.56b: Eriachne spp. closed tussock grasslands+/- Eragrostis spp. Eriachne burkittii and E. obtusa (northern wanderrie grass) are common dominant species. Sedge species such as Fimbristylis spp. Scleria rugosa and Rhynchospora spp. can also be sub-dominant. Scattered emergents of Melaleuca spp. often occur. Occurs in drainage depressions on alluvial plains. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 32a). 3.3.56c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.3.56b. Eriachne spp. (wanderrie grass), Aristida spp. (three-awned speargrass), Eragrostis spp. (lovegrass) and Fimbristylis spp. dominate the cover of the short, mid-dense to dense ground layer. Eriachne burkittii and E. obtusa (northern wanderrie grass) are common dominant species. Very scattered Melaleuca viridiflora (broad leaved teatree) trees (5-6m tall) and shrubs (0.2-3m tall) are sometimes present. Other woody species occur sporadically. Occurs in longitudinal drainage depressions and alluvial plains that are saturated by groundwater. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). |
| Protected areas | Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP (CYPAL), Olkola NP (CYPAL), Cape Melville NP (CYPAL), Ngaynggarr NP (CYPAL), Alwal NP (CYPAL), Oyala Thumotang NP (CYPAL), Muundhi (Jack River) NP (CYPAL) |
| 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. Crimson finch, star finch and golden-shouldered parrot may be threatened by woody thickening. 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 | 3.3.56: On the eastern side of Cape York RE 3.3.48 occupies the same landscape situation. It has very similar ground layer species composition, with the difference being the greater number of woody plants. Holroyd Plain and less frequently in the Laura Basin. 3.3.56b: Vegetation community 3.3.56c was amalgamated in to this vegetation community. 3.3.56c: Sedges and hydrophilic species can be more abundant where saturated by groundwater. Commonly found in drainage depression in the western Cape but also occur in the Laura Basin. |
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.
