Regional ecosystem details for 3.9.7
| Regional ecosystem | 3.9.7 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 7 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 15000 ha; Remnant 2021 15000 ha |
| Short description | Piliostigma malabaricum low open woodland on central clay plains |
| Structure code | Tall Open Shrubland |
| Description | Piliostigma malabaricum (bean tree) low open woodland. Most plants of this species are multi-stemmed shrubs with only occasional individuals having a tree life form. Scattered emergent Albizia procera (forest siris), Vachellia ditricha (wattle) and Corymbia papuana are commonly present. A very sparse shrub layer is sometimes present. The ground layer is dense and dominated by Themeda arguens (kangaroo grass) and commonly Sarga plumosum (sorghum) and Dichanthium spp. Occurs on clay plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32b). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner and Clarkson (in prep), 167 |
| Protected areas | Oyala Thumotang NP (CYPAL) |
| Special values | 3.9.7: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Arthraxon australiensis. |
| 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. Invasive high biomass grasses can promote fire and increase severity. Variation in burn seasons and short fire frequencies promote bird diversity. |
| Comments | 3.9.7: Central Peninsula. |
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.
