Regional ecosystem details for 4.3.21
| Regional ecosystem | 4.3.21 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 2, (5.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 5000 ha; Remnant 2021 5000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia peuce low open woodland on alluvium |
| Structure code | Low Open Woodland |
| Description | Acacia peuce occurs in mono-specific stands, forming a low open woodland. A sparse shrub layer of young A. peuce is frequently present, while other shrubs and low trees such as Eremophila maculata, Senna artemisioides subsp. oligophylla and S. phyllodinea occur in the adjacent areas. The ground layer is usually sparse, and dominated by Aristida spp. and Sclerolaena spp. Occurs on lower slopes of levees and alluvial plains. Soils deep, alluvial texture contrast soils with a sandy A horizon. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 26a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 4.3.21x50: Acacia peuce low open woodland. The ground layer is sparse tussock grasses. Occurs on red sand deposits above current flood levels (likely degraded deposits of wind-blown sand). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 26a). |
| Supplementary description | Deveson, (1980); Neldner (1991), 11 (75); Wilson and Purdie (1990a), A1 (61), W1 (66) |
| Special values | 4.3.21: Habitat for vulnerable plant species including Acacia peuce. 4.3.21x50: Habitat for vulnerable plant species including Acacia peuce. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Wet to early dry season when soil is moist. INTENSITY: Low. INTERVAL: Waddy wood should be left long unburnt often for >10 years. There is rarely enough fuel load to burn in these ecosystems. INTERVAL_MIN: 10. INTERVAL_MAX: 50. STRATEGY: Patchy, within the 20-30% range of area burnt. ISSUES: Acacias (e.g., Acacia peuce) germinate infrequently following high rainfall events, mature slowly and are long-lived. Acacias are vulnerable to frequent and high-severity fires. Fire in surrounding fire-adapted communities can be used to mitigate against wildfire. Fuel loads within Acacia communities can sometimes also require infrequent patchy burns, particularly following years of good rain, to protect them from wildfire and promote diversity at the ground layer. Long absence of fire can result in canopy closure by Acacias and lead to self-protection of these communities. Introduced invasive grasses (e.g., buffel Cenchrus ciliaris) may increase the risk and severity of fires. |
| Comments | 4.3.21: A naturally rare community. This regional ecosystem has moved to 4.3.21x50. Burke River. Regeneration is limited in some populations possibly due to total grazing pressure. 4.3.21x50: A naturally rare community. Burke River. Regeneration is limited in some populations possibly 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.
