Regional ecosystem details for 3.3.61
| Regional ecosystem | 3.3.61 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 8, 9, 7, (6), (2.4), (2.1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 117000 ha; Remnant 2021 117000 ha |
| Short description | Mixed tussock grassland and sedgeland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Mixed tussock grassland or sedgeland including combinations of Fimbristylis spp., Mnesithea rottboellioides, Oryza spp. Eriochloa crebra, Ischaemum spp., Panicum spp., Dichanthium sericeum, Eriachne burkittii. Forbs are common and can include as Ipomoea coptica, Crotalaria montana and Aeschynomene indica. Emergents of Melaleuca viridiflora, Pandanus spiralis and Acacia spp. may occur. Occurs on alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.3.61a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.3.61. This mid-dense to dense grassland may be dominated by a variety of species. Frequently the ground surface has gilgai microrelief. Sedges, Panicum trachyrhachis (native panic) and Oryza australiensis (Australian rice) dominate these wetter micro sites. On the drier raised areas, Panicum spp. are generally always present and P. laevinode is often dominant. The grasses Sporobolus virginicus (saltwater couch), Eriachne spp., Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and Chrysopogon spp. may be dominant in some areas. Fimbristylis spp. are always present but usually occur more frequently in areas with gilgai microrelief. Forbs only make a minor contribution to the overall cover. Scattered low trees such as the ghost gums Corymbia dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) and C. bella (ghost gum), and Grevillea striata (beefwood) are occasionally present. Occurs on coastal alluvial clay plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). 3.3.61b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.3.61. This mid-dense to dense grassland may be dominated by a variety of species. Frequently the ground surface has marked gilgai microrelief. Sedges, Panicum trachyrhachis (native panic) and Oryza australiensis (Australian rice) dominate these wetter micro sites. On the drier raised areas, Panicum spp. are generally always present and P. laevinode is often dominant. The grasses Sporobolus virginicus (saltwater couch), Eriachne spp., Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and Chrysopogon spp. may be dominant in some areas. Fimbristylis spp. are always present but usually occur more frequently in areas with gilgai microrelief. Forbs only make a minor contribution to the overall cover. Scattered low trees such as the ghost gums Corymbia dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) and C. bella, and Grevillea striata (beefwood) are occasionally present. Occurs on inland alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). |
| Protected areas | Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP (CYPAL), Olkola 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. 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 | 3.3.61: The ground surface is markedly gilgaed, often with sedges, Panicum trachyrachis and Oryza australiensis in the gilgais. Forbs only make a minor contribution to the overall cover. Especially in the south-west of bioregion. 3.3.61a: Differentiated from 3.3.61b by being on coastal cracking clay plains (mostly Qac geology). Especially in the south-west of bioregion. 3.3.61b: Especially in the south-west 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.
