Regional ecosystem details for 4.3.16
| Regional ecosystem | 4.3.16 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 7, (1.1), (1.3), (2), (1.2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 99000 ha; Remnant 2021 99000 ha |
| Short description | Astrebla elymoides +/- A. squarrosa +/- Aristida latifolia tussock grassland in shallow depressions on alluvium |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Astrebla elymoides tussock grassland, commonly with Astrebla squarrosa, Aristida latifolia and Panicum spp. Sesbania chippendalei and Chenopodium auricomum shrubs may occur in the wetter places. Dichanthium spp., Eulalia aurea and Iseilema vaginiflorum are usually conspicuous. A number of ephemeral forbs and grasses may be prominent in good seasons. Sparsely scattered shrubs and trees may occur. Occurs in shallow depressions and drainage lines. Soils moderately deep to deep, red and brown cracking clays. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 4.3.16a: Astrebla elymoides tussock grassland, commonly with Astrebla spp., Eulalia aurea, Aristida latifolia. May include small areas of Chenopodium auricomum. Occurs in shallow depressions in broad clay plains, commonly overlying Cambrian limestones. Cracking clay soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 43e (90) |
| Protected areas | Wiliyan-ngurru NP |
| 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 | 4.3.16: Occurs in the west of the bioregion on the Barkly Tableland. Being invaded by exotic weed species e.g. *Parkinsonia aculeata (parkinsonia). |
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.
