Regional ecosystem details for 4.3.15
| Regional ecosystem | 4.3.15 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 5, 6, (2.3), (2.8), (9.5), (2.5), (3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 380000 ha; Remnant 2021 378000 ha |
| Short description | Astrebla squarrosa +/- Astrebla spp., Bothriochloa ewartiana, Iseilema vaginiflorum tussock grassland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Astrebla squarrosa tussock grassland, commonly with A. elymoides and A. lappacea. Other species include Bothriochloa ewartiana, Iseilema vaginiflorum and Chrysopogon fallax. A number of ephemeral forbs and grasses may be prominent in good seasons. Sparsely scattered shrubs and trees may occur. Occurs on alluvial plains, immediately above drainage lines. Soils moderately deep to deep, red and brown clays. The surface is usually crusting. Soils are neutral to alkaline and gypsum occurs at depth. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 42c (90); Wilson and Purdie (1990a), F2 (50) |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not burn deliberately. The grasses and forbs of Astrebla spp. dominated communities do not require fire for regeneration. Protection relies on management of fire in the surrounding country to prevent running fires entering Astrebla spp. communities, particularly at times of low soil moisture. ISSUES: Fire can sometimes be used as a tool to control woody thickening and woody weeds in grasslands. Moderate intensity fire is required for a successful kill of the woody species but good moisture levels are required to ensure recovery of the ground layer. Large scale germination of woody species is most likely to occur in high rainfall years. The best management opportunity is usually after storms at the end of the subsequent dry season, although exclusion of grazing pressure may still be required to ensure sufficient fuel loads. |
| Comments | 4.3.15: Being invaded by exotic weed species, e.g. parkinsonia *Parkinsonia aculeata. |
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.
