Regional ecosystem details for 3.3.58
| Regional ecosystem | 3.3.58 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 9, 8, 6, (2.4), (1), (2.1), (7) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 38000 ha; Remnant 2021 38000 ha |
| Short description | Oryza spp. closed tussock grassland +/- Eleocharis spp. +/- Echinochloa spp. in seasonally inundated depressions on coastal plains |
| Structure code | Closed Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Oryza spp. closed tussock grassland +/- Eleocharis spp. +/- Echinochloa spp. This grassland is most commonly dominated by Oryza spp. (frequently Oryza rufipogon), but Eleocharis spp. or Panicum trachyrhachis may dominate patches. Oryza australiensis and O. meridionalis also occur as occasional species. Occurs on seasonally inundated depressions on coastal plains. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 32a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner and Clarkson (in prep), 183 |
| Protected areas | Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP (CYPAL), Olkola NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.3.58: Provides wetland habitat for a flora and fauna. |
| 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. Sedges can be protected by burning when bases are covered by standing water. Invasive high biomass grasses can promote fire and increase severity. Variation in burn seasons and short fire frequencies promote bird diversity. |
| Comments | 3.3.58: Occurs in seasonally inundated depressions and swamps on coastal alluvial plains. Predominantly on the south-west coast and Princess Charlotte Bay. Also occurs in the adjacent Gulf Plains bioregion. The spread of exotic ponded pasture species poses a threat to this ecosystem. |
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.
