Regional ecosystem details for 3.5.40
| Regional ecosystem | 3.5.40 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 6, 1, 5, 2, (3), (7), (8), (4), (9.3), (2.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 43000 ha; Remnant 2021 43000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca stenostachya +/- Eucalyptus chlorophylla woodland +/- M. viridiflora shrub layer on outwash plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Woodland to low woodland of Melaleuca stenostachya (fibre-marked teatree) +/- Eucalyptus chlorophylla (shiny-leaved box) +/- M. viridiflora (broad-leaved teatree) +/- (sometimes emergent) Corymbia stockeri (gum topped bloodwood). A very sparse to sparse subcanopy often contains canopy Melaleuca spp. +/- Jacksonia thesioides (broombush) +/- Acacia spp. The very sparse shrub layer includes juvenile canopy spp. and Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine). The sparse to mid-dense grassy ground layer often contains Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass), Heteropogon triticeus (giant spear grass) or Schizachyrium fragile (firegrass). Occurs on outwash plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). |
| Protected areas | Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP (CYPAL), Muundhi (Jack River) NP (CYPAL), Cape Melville NP (CYPAL), Ngaynggarr NP (CYPAL), Oyala Thumotang NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.5.40: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Dendrobium johannis. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Early to mid-dry season, with occasional storm burn or late dry season burn of limited area. INTENSITY: High, but low to moderate are more likely during the early to mid-dry season. INTERVAL: 1-5 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 1. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: A mosaic of early dry season fires will prevent extensive wildfires in the late dry season and preserve areas for later storm-burning. Storm time and late dry season burns are used to maintain suitable vegetation structure. Burn less than 30% in any year. ISSUES: Lack of fire or low intensity burns can lead to overabundant broad-leaved ti-tree. High intensity fires may be difficult to achieve because of low fuel availability and accumulation rates and typically moister conditions. High intensity fires around storm time will promote a better developed ground layer. Active burning early in the dry season creates a mosaic to minimise the spread of wildfire late in the dry season. Early burns will usually burn with low intensity and will not control broad-leaved ti-tree. |
| Comments | 3.5.40: REs 3.5.17, 3.5.18 and vegetation community 3.5.24a were amalgamated in to this RE. Occurs throughout Cape York including the Torres Strait Islands. |
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.
