Regional ecosystem details for 3.7.6
| Regional ecosystem | 3.7.6 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 7, 4, 1, 8, (6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 48000 ha; Remnant 2021 48000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca stenostachya +/- Acacia leptostachya woodland on lateritic erosional slopes |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Melaleuca stenostachya low woodland to woodland occasionally with Acacia leptostachya, A. brassii, Corymbia stockeri. Scattered emergents of Eucalyptus tetrodonta and C. stockeri can sometimes occur. A sparse subcanopy and/or shrub layer can contain canopy species, commonly with Petalostigma banksii and occasionally heath species such as Neofabricia myrtifolia and Jacksonia thesioides. The very sparse to mid-dense ground layer is often dominated by Schizachyrium fragile and Schoenus sparteus +/- sedge species. Occurs on weathered and indurated erosional slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 3.7.6a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.7.6. Melaleuca stenostachya (fibre-barked teatree) dominates the sparse canopy (8-12m tall). Acacia leptostachya (slender wattle) is generally subdominant in both the canopy and sub-canopy layers. Scattered Corymbia stockeri and Eucalyptus tetrodonta trees are occasionally present and may emerge above the canopy. A. leptostachya, Jacksonia thesioides, Lithomyrtus retusa, Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine), Melaleuca stenostachya and Neofabricia sericisepala (yellow teatree) are the most abundant shrubs in the very sparse shrub layer (0.5-2m tall). The ground layer is very sparse. The graminoids, Eriachne spp. (wanderrie grass), Thaumastochloa spp., Schizachyrium fragile (fire grass) and Schoenus sparteus making up most of the biomass. Occurs on lateritic erosional slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). 3.7.6b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.7.6. Corymbia stockeri subsp. peninsularis (gum-topped bloodwood) open woodland with a mid layer of Melaleuca stenostachya and Petalostigma banksii. Occurs on weathered and indurated Rolling Downs Group (Klr) geology in Central Peninsula. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14d). 3.7.6x1: Acacia humifusa dwarf open heath, often with subdominants of Lithomyrtus obtusa, Petalostigma pubescens, Grevillea pteridifolia and Hibbertia spp. A range of graminoids can also occur including Eriachne spp., Schizachyrium spp. And Heteropogon spp. Occurs on laterite headlands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29a). 3.7.6x2: Asteromyrtus lysicephala (back to front bush), Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree), Choriceras tricorne and Jacksonia thesioides dwarf open shrubland to tall open shrubland. Acacia calyculata, Hibbertia banksii, Leucopogon spp. and Persoonia falcata are also usually present. Emergents of A. brassii, Grevillea pteridifolia or J. thesioides sometimes occur. The very sparse to sparse ground layer often contains seedlings of canopy spp. +/- Schoenus sparteus +/- Cleistochloa spp. Occurs on lateritised slopes and escarpments. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29a). 3.7.6x2a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.7.6x2. Melaleuca arcana (Cape York paperbark), Thryptomene oligandra and Asteromyrtus lysicephala (back to front bush) dominate these dwarf open heaths, with M. stenostachya (fibre-barked teatree) emergents. Schoenus sparteus is the most frequent graminoid. Occurs on laterite knolls & hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29a). 3.7.6x2b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.7.1. Semi deciduous vine thicket with Terminalia subacroptera, Intsia bijuga, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Excoecaria agallocha (milky mangrove), Thespesia populneoides and Cathormion umbellatum subsp. moniliforme. Occurs on laterite exposures on saline margins. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 2c). 3.7.6x2c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.7.6x1. A variety of dwarf shrubs (10-60cm tall) dominate this regional ecosystem, with Acacia humifusa, Lithomyrtus obtusa, Grevillea pteridifolia (toothbrush grevillea), Neoroepera banksii, Petalostigma pubescens (quinine) and Jacksonia thesioides, the most frequent. Occasional taller shrubs (1-2m) may be present in sheltered positions. The ground layer is frequently indistinct from the dwarf shrub layer. The dominant grasses are Eremochloa bimaculata, Heteropogon triticeus (giant speargrass) and Sarga plumosum (plume sorghum). Occurs on laterite headlands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29a). 3.7.6x3: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 3.7.6x2. Neofabricia myrtifolia (yellow teatree) dominates the very sparse shrub layer (3-4m tall). Acacia calyculata, Jacksonia thesioides, Lithomyrtus retusa, Acacia brassii and Grevillea pteridifolia (toothbrush grevillea) are frequent subdominant shrubs. Leucopogon lavarackii occurs frequently as a low shrub (0.5m tall). The ground is mainly bare, with only occasional graminoids present. Occurs on lateritised sandstone slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 29a). |
| Protected areas | Oyala Thumotang NP (CYPAL), Apudthama NP (CYPAL), Olkola NP (CYPAL), Bromley (Kungkaychi) NP (CYPAL), Bromley (Ampulin) NP (CYPAL), KULLA (McIlwraith Range) NP (CYPAL), Oyala Thumotang RR |
| Special values | 3.7.6: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Acacia ommatosperma. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Early to mid-dry season, with occasional storm burn or late dry season burn of limited area. x1,x3: August-September up to November depending on the season. x2b: Do not burn deliberately. INTENSITY: High, but low to moderate are more likely during the early to mid-dry season. x1,x3: Patchy and low or moderate to high. Fires will tend to burn either with high intensity or at low intensity. x2b: Do not burn deliberately. INTERVAL: 2-5 years. x1,x3: 5-10 years. x2b: Do not burn deliberately. INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: A 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. x1,x3: 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. x2b: No deliberate fire management required within this unit. Undertake fuel reduction burns in surrounding vegetation utilising multiple small fires throughout the appropriate season to manage biodiversity values and to limit the extent and reduce risks of wildfire. ISSUES: 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. Planned fire applied repeatedly early in the dry season may lead to woody thickening because fires are not of sufficiently high intensity; this may be exacerbated by stock grazing. Lack of fire or low intensity burns can lead to overabundant broad-leaved ti-tree. Manage extent, intensity and frequency of fires judiciously, to avoid habitat tree loss. x1,x3: 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. x2b: Fire sensitive vegetation type. |
| Comments | 3.7.6: The vegetation community 3.10.6x1b was amalgamated in to this RE. 3.7.6a: RE 3.10.6x1b was amalgamated into this RE. 3.7.6x1: Was previously mapped as 3.7.6x2c. Headlands on the east coast north of Lockhardt River. 3.7.6x2: REs 3.10.17, 3.7.6x2a and 3.7.6x3 were amalgamated into this RE. Catchments of the upper Jardine and Pascoe River. 3.7.6x2b: Restricted to Saibai Island. Only a few remnants remain and may not reflect the original composition after an extensive period of nearby traditional occupation. 3.7.6x3: West of Lockhart River. |
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.
