Regional ecosystem details for 3.5.21
| Regional ecosystem | 3.5.21 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 1, 2, (5), (6), (9), (7.9) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 5000 ha; Remnant 2021 5000 ha |
| Short description | Corymbia clarksoniana +/- C. tessellaris open forest on coastal ranges and lowlands |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) dominates the mid-dense canopy. C. intermedia (pink bloodwood) dominated at sites where C. clarksoniana was absent. C. tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash) is a consistent subdominant of the canopy. Acacia polystachya (a wattle) is also frequently subdominant. The very sparse to mid-dense sub-canopy tree layer is dominated by Acacia flavescens (powderpuff wattle), A. polystachya, A. crassicarpa (spoon tree) and Mallotus nesophilus. The shrub layer varies from very sparse to dense. Antidesma ghaesembilla (black currant), Flueggea virosa subsp. melanthesoides (white currant) and Planchonia careya (cocky apple) are the most frequent dominant species. This layer may be dense in places and dominated by pioneer closed forest species. The ground layer varies from very sparse to dense. Common dominant species include Imperata cylindrica (blady grass), Panicum trichoides and Flemingia parviflora (Flemingia). Occurs on coastal plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.5.21x1: [RE not in use]²: This proposed new regional ecosystem is now mapped as 3.5.21. Corymbia tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash) dominates the sparse to mid-dense canopy (7-26m tall), usually with C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) codominant. Acacia crassicarpa (spoon tree), Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp mahogany) and other Eucalyptus spp. or Corymbia spp. may be present as subdominant trees. A very sparse to mid-dense sub-canopy tree layer (3-15m tall) is dominated by Acacia flavescens (powderpuff wattle), A. crassicarpa, C. tessellaris and Parinari nonda (nonda). At some sites either Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree) or M. dealbata (silver-leaved paperbark) forms a conspicuous sub-canopy layer. The shrub layer (0.5-5m tall) varies from very sparse to sparse. Antidesma ghaesembilla (black currant), Flueggea virosa subsp. melanthesoides (white currant), Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine) and Acacia leptocarpa (wattle) are the most commonly encountered species in this layer. The ground layer is very sparse to dense, with Imperata cylindrica (blady grass), Heteropogon triticeus (giant speargrass), Scleria spp. and Mnesithea rottboellioides (northern cane grass) frequent dominant species. Occurs on coastal plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9c). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner and Clarkson (in prep), 37-5, 44-5. |
| Protected areas | Cape Melville NP (CYPAL), KULLA (McIlwraith Range) NP (CYPAL), Ngalba-bulal NP (CYPAL) |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Dry season. Avoid extremely dry conditions. INTENSITY: Various. INTERVAL: 1-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 1. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Burn less than 30% in any year. Begin burning early in the fire season, followed by progressive patch fires burnt through the year. ISSUES: Management of this inherently stable, and fire tolerant vegetation type should be based on maintaining animal habitats and preventing extensive wildfire. Maintaining a fire mosaic will ensure protection of animal habitats and mitigate against wildfires. |
| Comments | 3.5.21: Proposed new RE 3.5.21x1 was amalgamated in to this RE. On east coast from Cooktown up to Lockhart River. 3.5.21x1: Lockhart River 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.
