Regional ecosystem details for 3.5.19
| Regional ecosystem | 3.5.19 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, 1, (5), (7), (2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 190000 ha; Remnant 2021 189000 ha |
| Short description | Asteromyrtus lysicephala and/or Neofabricia myrtifolia and/or Jacksonia thesioides open heath to shrubland on sand sheets |
| Structure code | Open Heath |
| Description | Mixed dwarf heath to shrubland (depending on time-since-fire) usually with Asteromyrtus lysicephala (back to front bush). Common heath species include Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree), Choriceras tricorne (Cape choriceras), Jacksonia thesioides (broombush), Thryptomene oligandra, Banksia dentata, Grevillea spp. and Allocasuarina littoralis (black sheoak). After recent fire the community is a dwarf to low heath or shrubland, usually with rapidly growing species such as Grevillea pteridifolia (golden Grevillea), A. littoralis, G. glauca and Melaleuca viridiflora and fire resilient B. dentata (tropical Banksia) in a distinct emergent layer. With increasing time-since-fire this community becomes a dense tall heath or shrubland and is at its most floristically diverse, with Hibbertia spp., Boronia alulata, Leucopogon spp. And Neoroepera banksii also common. The ground layer is sparse with a variety of sedge species such as Schoenus sparteus, Arthrostylis aphylla or Baloskion tetraphyllum frequent. Occurs on sand sheets as well as deep sand deposits on sandstone plateaus. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.5.19x1: [RE not in use]²: This proposed new regional ecosystem is now mapped as 3.5.19. Asteromyrtus lysicephala (back to front bush), Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree), Choriceras tricorne and Jacksonia thesioides occur consistently at high stem densities in the shrub layer (0.5-3m tall). A variety of other shrubs may be present and locally abundant. Scattered emergent shrubs and trees (1.5-10m tall) are frequently present, with Allocasuarina littoralis (black sheoak) and Grevillea pteridifolia (toothbrush grevillea) occurring at consistently high densities. A sparse, low shrub layer (0.5-1.8m tall) is often present. The ground layer is short and open, with Schoenus sparteus the most consistent and abundant graminoid. Occurs on sandsheets. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29a). 3.5.19x2: [RE not in use]²: This proposed new regional ecosystem is now mapped as 3.5.42. Asteromyrtus brassii, Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree) and Allocasuarina littoralis (black sheoak) usually dominate the fairly even, mid-dense canopy (6-10m tall). Multi-stemmed Welchiodendron longivalve (yellow box-penda) trees are also frequently conspicuous in the canopy. A sparse sub-canopy layer (2-6m tall) is frequently dominated by Dodonaea polyandra (native hop-bush) and A. littoralis, while a sparse to mid-dense shrub layer (0.5-1.5m tall) dominated by Alyxia spicata, D. polyandra, Choriceras tricorne or Exocarpos latifolius species is usually present. The ground layer is very sparse with Schoenus sparteus, Cleistochloa spp., Lomandra spp., Alloteropsis semialata, Eulalia mackinlayi and Gahnia aspera being the most frequent species. Occurs on sandsheets. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 28c). 3.5.19x3: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.3.53b. Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree) and Asteromyrtus brassii dominate the sparse to mid-dense canopy (7-17m tall). Acacia crassicarpa (spoon tree), Allocasuarina littoralis (black sheoak) and Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp mahogany) also occur at high densities in the canopy. Callitris intratropica (cypress pine) may form part of the canopy but more frequently is an emergent tree (9-20m tall). The mid-dense sub-canopy layer (2-6m tall) is dominated by Leucopogon yorkensis. This species is also frequent in the very sparse to sparse shrub layer (0.5-2m tall), together with Alyxia spicata, Asteromyrtus brassii and Styphelia ruscifolia. Epiphytic orchids and ant plants are frequent on the trunks of the trees and shrubs. The ground layer is very sparse and dominated by the graminoids, Cleistochloa spp., Schoenus sparteus and Arthrostylis aphylla. Occurs on sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 28c). 3.5.19x4: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is not mapped. Asteromyrtus lysicephala (back to front bush) generally dominates the sparse shrub layer (0.5-2m tall), however, Melaleuca arcana (Cape York paperbark) and Gahnia sieberiana (saw sedge) occur at greater stem densities at some sites. Baeckea frutescens (weeping baeckea), M. viridiflora (broad-leaved paperbark) and Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree) occur at relatively high densities at most sites. Scattered emergent low trees and shrubs (2-6m tall) are generally present, with N. myrtifolia, M. viridiflora and Thryptomene oligandra occurring at the greatest densities. Low shrubs (0.5-1m tall) are frequent, but do not form a conspicuous layer. The ground layer is sparse and dominated by graminoids. Schoenus sparteus, Baloskion tetraphyllum subsp. meiostachyum and Dapsilanthus spathaceus dominate the ground layer in some areas. Occurs on sandy plateaus and, in places, on lateritised profiles. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 28c). 3.5.19x5: [RE not in use]²: This proposed new regional ecosystem is now mapped as 3.2.17. Leucopogon yorkensis shrubs dominate a mid-dense tall shrub layer (2-10m tall). Frequently, this layer provides the majority of the above ground biomass at the site. Thryptomene oligandra, Acacia crassicarpa (spoon tree), Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree), Callitris intratropica (cypress pine), Psydrax spp., Asteromyrtus angustifolia and A. brassii may form part of this layer, but more frequently are emergent trees reaching up to 15m tall. In places, these trees may form a mid-dense canopy and dominate the biomass at the site. Frequently, the trees and shrubs are covered in epiphytic orchids. A sparse to mid-dense, low shrub layer (0.5-3m tall) is present, with Neoroepera banksii, Styphelia ruscifolia and Myrsine variabilis occurring at the highest densities. The ground layer is very sparse. Occurs on sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 3a). 3.5.19x6: [RE not in use]²: This proposed new regional ecosystem is now mapped as 3.5.19. Neofabricia myrtifolia, together with Boronia alulata, Neoroepera banksii, Jacksonia thesioides, Acacia calyculata, Styphelia ruscifolia, Asteromyrtus lysicephala and Hibbertia banksii forma banksii, occur consistently at high densities and form a sparse to closed canopy (1.5-4m tall). Scattered emergent shrubs (3-5m tall) are often present, with Grevillea pteridifolia and Allocasuarina littoralis the most frequent species. A low shrub layer (0.5-1.5m tall) may be present and consists of smaller shrubs of the same species that occur in the canopy layer. Gompholobium nitidum is more frequent in this low shrub layer. The ground layer is usually very sparse (<10% PFC) and consists mainly of graminoids, of which Schoenus sparteus and Arthrostylis aphylla occur most frequently. There are scattered open patches where shrubs are absent. Occurs on remnant Tertiary sandsheets behind dunes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29a). 3.5.19x7: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.3.53a. Asteromyrtus lysicephala, Choriceras tricorne and Jacksonia thesioides occur consistently at high stem densities in the sparse to mid-dense shrub layer (0.5-4m tall). A variety of other shrubs may be present and locally abundant. Scattered emergent trees (5-10m tall) are frequently present, with Melaleuca viridiflora, Allocasuarina littoralis and Banksia dentata occurring at high densities. A very sparse, emergent shrub layer (2-6m tall) is sometimes present. A sparse, low shrub layer (0.5-1m tall) is often present, and dominated by Asteromyrtus lysicephala. The ground layer is short and sparse, with Schoenus sparteus the most consistent and abundant graminoid. Occurs adjacent to stream lines on sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29a). 3.5.19x8: [RE not in use]²: This proposed new regional ecosystem is now mapped as 3.5.19. Asteromyrtus lysicephala (back to front bush), Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree), Thryptomene oligandra (thryptomene), Hibbertia banksii forma banksii and Jacksonia thesioides consistently occur at high densities and dominate the sparse to mid-dense canopy (0.5-2m tall). Acacia spp. (wattles) and Banksia dentata (swamp banksia) are often present as emergent shrubs (2-3m tall). The ground layer is very sparse and dominated by sedges. Baloskion tetraphyllum subsp. meiostachyum the most commonly encountered graminoid in this layer. Occurs on the extensive sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner and Clarkson (in prep), 169, 171, 172-5, 176-5. |
| Protected areas | Apudthama NP (CYPAL), Bromley (Ampulin) NP (CYPAL), Bromley (Kungkaychi) NP (CYPAL), Wuthathi (Shelburne Bay) NP (CYPAL), Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) NP (CYPAL), Heathlands RR, Jardine River NP, KULLA (McIlwraith Range) NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.5.19: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Dendrobium bigibbum, Psydrax reticulata. |
| 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. |
| Comments | 3.5.19: Proposed new REs 3.5.19x1, 3.5.19x6, 3.5.19x8 were amalgamated in to this RE. Heath formation differentiates this from RE 3.5.42 which is a low woodland to open forest. From Coen to the McHenry Uplands. Also occurs just north of Hopevale. 3.5.19x1: Heathlands. 3.5.19x2: McHenry Uplands and Jardine River catchment. 3.5.19x3: Heathlands. 3.5.19x4: Callitris intratropica emergents and Leucopogon sp. shrubs are more frequent on the lowlands than on the McHenry plateau. Northern part of bioregion. 3.5.19x5: Shelburne Bay. 3.5.19x6: Shelburne Bay. 3.5.19x7: McHenry Uplands and Richardson Uplands. 3.5.19x8: Shelburne Bay. |
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.
