Regional ecosystem details for 4.3.1
| Regional ecosystem | 4.3.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Riverine |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 7, 1.3, 1, 3, (1.1), (5.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 61000 ha; Remnant 2021 61000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus camaldulensis +/- Lophostemon grandiflorus, Melaleuca spp. woodland on channel fringes of major watercourses in the north-west |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus camaldulensis fringing woodland to low woodland, commonly with E. coolabah, Lophostemon grandiflorus and Melaleuca fluviatilis. A lower tree layer may occur, including M. trichostachya and M. bracteata. Shrubs are usually sparse in the streamlines. The ground layer is dominated by tussock grasses, including Bothriochloa spp., Dichanthium fecundum and Chrysopogon fallax. Sedges are frequent on the channel floors and banks. Occurs on fringes of channels and inter-channel areas of major watercourses in the north-west of the bioregion. Soils vary from very deep, coarse sands to silty clays, sandy clay loams and gravelly loams. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 4.3.1a: Eucalyptus camaldulensis woodland, commonly with Lophostemon grandiflorus, Lysiphyllum gilvum, Melaleuca fluviatilis. Occurs on fringes of major watercourses in erosional landscapes. Not commonly braided. Sandy beds. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 4.3.1b: Eucalyptus camaldulensis low woodland, occasionally with Melaleuca fluviatilis, E. coolabah, Lophostemon grandiflorus. The ground layer is sparse tussock grasses. Occurs on banks/fringes of major watercourses of the Georgina River catchment extending from the Northwest Highlands bioregion. Sandy beds. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 4.3.1x1: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem has been amalgamated into 4.3.1. Eucalyptus camaldulensis +/- Melaleuca spp. +/- Ficus opposita +/- Syzygium eucalyptoides woodland. Occurs fringing major drainage lines and adjacent areas of floodplain. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 1a (60); Wilson and Purdie (1990a), W1 (67, 73) |
| Special values | 4.3.1: Area of high fauna diversity. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Wet to early dry season when soil is moist. INTENSITY: Low. INTERVAL: Burn surrounding vegetation at intervals compatible with fuel availability, seasonal conditions and grazing pressure. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Burning in areas surrounding riparian vegetation can be used to reduce fuel loads and reduce impact of wildfire (e.g., on habitat trees for fauna). These fires can be allowed to trickle into fringing riparian vegetation. ISSUES: Riparian vegetation is critical refuge for fauna. Fire can be used to manage seedlings and saplings of woody weeds (e.g., parkinsonia, mimosa bush and noogoora burr), but mature plants may be fire resistant and top kill will result in resprouting. |
| Comments | 4.3.1: Was previously partly mapped as 4.3.1x1. Highly modified floristic and structural composition due to total grazing pressure. Exotic weed species occur in disturbed sandy areas. Naturalised species associated with this regional ecosystem include *Vachellia farnesiana and *Parkinsonia aculeata, which may occur in dense stands above the river banks. 4.3.1b: Heavily invaded by *Cenchrus pennisetiformis. |
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.
