Regional ecosystem details for 4.3.3
| Regional ecosystem | 4.3.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Riverine |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 7, 1, 1.1, (5.3), (5.1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 24000 ha; Remnant 2021 24000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus coolabah, E. camaldulensis +/- Lysiphyllum gilvum open woodland on drainage lines |
| Structure code | Open Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus coolabah, E. camaldulensis open woodland. 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 abundant following favourable seasons. Occurs on levees and banks of intermediate and larger drainage channels and associated alluvial plains. Soils very deep, brown or grey clays with sand and silt bands common in profile. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 4.3.3a: Eucalyptus coolabah usually predominates forming a distinct but discontinuous upper canopy layer. E. camaldulensis is conspicuous in sandy or gravelly channels. Occurs on levees and banks of intermediate and larger drainage channels and associated alluvial plains. Soils very deep, brown or grey clays with sand and silt bands common in profile. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 4.3.3b: Eucalyptus coolabah usually predominates forming a distinct but discontinuous upper canopy layer. E. camaldulensis is conspicuous in sandy or gravelly channels. Occurs on floodplains associated with intermediate and larger drainage channels. Soils very deep, brown or grey clays with sand and silt bands common in profile. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16a). 4.3.3c: Eucalyptus coolabah, E. camaldulensis low woodland, commonly with Acacia georginae and Lysiphyllum gilvum. Corymbia terminalis and Melaleuca fluviatilis may occur in the canopy. A sparse shrub layer may occur. The ground layer is tussock grasses. Occurs on banks/fringes of the braided watercourses adjacent to the Georgina River. Cracking clay soils. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 2a (63), 17a (65); Neldner (1984), 32a (32); Wilson and Purdie (1990a), W1 (68), W2 (73); Turner et al. (1993) C1 (24), W3 (24) |
| Special values | 4.3.3: Regional ecosystem of high fauna diversity. 4.3.3a: Vegetation community of high fauna diversity. 4.3.3b: Vegetation community of high fauna diversity. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Wet to early dry season when soil is moist. INTENSITY: Low. INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. 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. Burn surrounding vegetation at intervals compatible with fuel availability, seasonal conditions and grazing pressure. 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. |
| Comments | 4.3.3: Highly modified structural and floristic composition. Subject to buffel grass *Cenchrus ciliaris invasion. 4.3.3a: Highly modified structural and floristic composition. Subject to buffel grass *Cenchrus ciliaris invasion. 4.3.3b: Highly modified structural and floristic composition. Subject to buffel grass *Cenchrus ciliaris invasion. |
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.
