Regional ecosystem details for 4.3.18
| Regional ecosystem | 4.3.18 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 7, 1, 1.1, (1.2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 22000 ha; Remnant 2021 22000 ha |
| Short description | Eulalia aurea, Astrebla squarrosa +/- Astrebla spp. tussock grassland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Eulalia aurea, Astrebla squarrosa tussock grassland, occasionally with Dichanthium fecundum and D. sericeum subsp. polystachyum. Other conspicuous grasses include Aristida latifolia, Astrebla squarrosa, Bothriochloa ewartiana and Chrysopogon fallax. A number of forb species are usually present, but grasses comprise most of the biomass. Trees and shrubs usually do not occur, excepting Eucalyptus coolabah along drainage lines. Occurs on alluvial plains, adjacent to drainage lines. Soils generally grey or brown, heavy clays. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 4.3.18a: Mixed tussock grassland, with combinations of the species Chrysopogon fallax, Astrebla spp., Aristida latifolia, Eulalia aurea and annual grasses. Emergent Acacia georginae and Corymbia terminalis may occur. Occurs on narrow alluvial plains associated with minor watercourses in Cambrian limestone landscapes. Cracking clay soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30a). 4.3.18x1: Eulalia aurea and Astrebla spp. tussock grassland, occasionally with small areas of Chenopodium auricomum. Emergent Acacia georginae, Atalaya hemiglauca, Eucalyptus coolabah and Acacia cambagei may occur. Occurs on broad, active Quaternary alluvial plains and depressions. Cracking clay soils overlying limestones. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30a). 4.3.18x1a: Eulalia aurea and Astrebla spp. tussock grassland, occasionally with small areas of Chenopodium auricomum. Groves of emergent Acacia georginae may occur. Occurs on broad, active Quaternary alluvial plains, commonly with many small drainage lines. Cracking clay soils overlying limestones. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30a). 4.3.18x1b: Eulalia aurea, Astrebla elymoides and A. pectinata tussock grassland. Emergent Acacia georginae, Atalaya hemiglauca, Eucalyptus coolabah and Acacia cambagei may occur. Occurs in depressions subject to seepage from Cambrian limestones. Cracking clay soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 45a (93) |
| 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. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13 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.
