Regional ecosystem details for 4.4.2
| Regional ecosystem | 4.4.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 7, (1.2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 148000 ha; Remnant 2021 148000 ha |
| Short description | Astrebla pectinata and Iseilema spp. grassland |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Astrebla pectinata, Iseilema spp. tussock grassland, commonly with Eulalia aurea, Dichanthium sericeum subsp. polystachyum, Sorghum spp. Occurs on clay plains of late Tertiary alluvium. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30b). |
| Protected areas | Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) 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 | 4.4.2: Occurs on older alluvium (Qps) on edges of the Barkly Tableland. |
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.
