Regional ecosystem details for 4.3.11
| Regional ecosystem | 4.3.11 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, 7, 5, 3, (4), (2), (5.1), (1.1), (6), (1.3), (5.5), (5.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 59000 ha; Remnant 2021 59000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus coolabah and/or E. camaldulensis woodland fringing in-channel waterholes and billabongs |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus coolabah and/or E. camaldulensis low open woodland to low open forest. A secondary tree or shrub layer may occur, including Acacia stenophylla and Lysiphyllum gilvum. Low shrubs frequently occur and in places form a distinct layer. The ground layer is variable, including tussock grasses and forbs, with either predominating depending on seasonal conditions. Occurs fringing in-channel waterholes and billabongs associated with major watercourses. Soils very deep, brown or grey clays with sand and silt bands common in profile. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34d). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 4.3.11a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 4.3.11d. Eucalyptus coolabah usually predominates forming a distinct but discontinuous upper canopy layer. E. camaldulensis is conspicuous in sandy or gravelly channels. A lower tree understorey or tall shrub layer may be present in places. Low shrubs frequently occur and in places form a distinct layer. The ground layer is variable being composed of grasses and forbs with either predominating depending on seasonal conditions. Asteraceae spp. Particularly prevalent following favourable seasons. Billabongs. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34d). 4.3.11b: Eucalyptus coolabah and/or E. camaldulensis woodland to open forest. Acacia stenophylla commonly occurs as a lower tree. The ground layer is tussock grasses. Waterholes on major rivers. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 4.3.11c: Eucalyptus coolabah open woodland. The ground layer is variable being composed of grasses and forbs with either predominating depending on seasonal conditions. Waterholes in stranded channels on floodplains. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34d). 4.3.11d: Eucalyptus coolabah low woodland, occasionally with E. camaldulensis, Acacia cambagei, Atalaya hemiglauca, Corymbia terminalis and C. aparrerinja. Occurs on fringes of wetlands (abandoned channels) on Quaternary alluvial plains with sandy parent material. Cracking clay soils. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34d). 4.3.11e: Eucalyptus coolabah low woodland, commonly with E. camaldulensis, Lysiphyllum gilvum and Acacia georginae. The ground layer is tussock grasses. Occurs on the fringes of billabongs (abandoned channels) within the braids of the Georgina River and nearby major watercourses. Cracking clay soils. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34d). 4.3.11x1: Seasonal swamps (wooded). Eucalyptus microtheca low open woodland. Occurs in closed depressions on flood plains associated with seasonal watercourses on and around the margins of clay plains in the Barkly Tableland subregion. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34d). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 51a (63); Wilson and Purdie (1990a), W2 (73) |
| Protected areas | Wiliyan-ngurru NP |
| Special values | 4.3.11: Area of high fauna diversity. Habitat for water birds. 4.3.11x1: 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. x1: Lignum is a facultative resprouter and its response to fire will be variable, depending on conditions e.g. moisture and fire intensity. |
| Comments | 4.3.11: There is considerable floristic and structural variation in this regional ecosystem associated with local environmental conditions. Highly modified floristic and structural composition due to total grazing pressure. 4.3.11d: 4.3.11a has been amalgamated into this vegetation community. 4.3.11x1: Highly modified floristic and structural composition due to total grazing pressure. |
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.
