Regional ecosystem details for 4.5.8
| Regional ecosystem | 4.5.8 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 3, 2, 5, 1, 7, (1.1), (5.3), (5.4), (1.3), (5.5), (5.2), (2.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 608000 ha; Remnant 2021 606000 ha |
| Short description | Triodia pungens hummock grassland wooded with Acacia spp. +/- Eucalyptus spp. on Quaternary aeolian sand sheets |
| Structure code | Hummock Grassland |
| Description | Triodia pungens hummock grassland. Emergent shrubs may occur, typically including Eremophila obovata, Acacia melleodora, A. ligulata, A. coriacea, A. cowleana, Acacia adsurgens, A. ancistrocarpa and Grevillea juncifolia. Codonocarpus cotinifolius, Seringia nephrosperma, Commersonia loxophylla and Streptoglossa macrocephala may occur. The ground between the grass hummocks and shrubs supports a variety of perennial and ephemeral herbs. Frequent species include Aristida holathera var. holathera, A. ingrata and Schizachyrium perplexum and the forbs Goodenia triodiophila, Sida cardiophylla, S. filiformis and Stackhousia viminea. In local areas, Acacia adsurgens, A. ancistrocarpa and A. cowleana may form tall shrublands with a T. pungens ground layer. Occurs on flat, aeolian sand sheets. Soils are deep to very deep sandy red earths and associated red earthy sands. Soils have a slight acid to medium acid, hard setting surface often with a crust. Soils become strong alkaline at depth with soft lime present. Structure maybe weakly developed at depth. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 4.5.8a: Triodia pungens dominates the ground layer forming a hummock grassland (<0.7m high). Scattered low shrubs such as Senna artemisioides, Crotalaria eremaea, Acacia ligulata and A. coriacea are frequent present. The ground cover between the hummocks and shrubs is sparse and dominated by short-lobed perennial and ephemeral herbs. The grass Aristida holathera var. holathera and forb Rutidosis helichrysoides and Synaptantha tillaeacea occur most frequently. Occurs quaternary sandsheets. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33b). 4.5.8b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 4.3.10b, 4.5.5a and 4.5.5x1. Corymbia terminalis, Triodia pungens +/- Acacia spp., Senna spp., Eucalyptus spp. low open woodland on sandplains. Occurs on quaternary sandsheets. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18b). 4.5.8x1: Mixed open tussock grassland, including combinations of the species Eragrostis xerophila, Iseilema spp., Aristida latifolia, Panicum spp., Dactyloctenium radulans, Eulalia aurea and Astrebla pectinata. Emergent Acacia cambagei, Acacia georginae, Atalaya hemiglauca and Acacia victoriae may occur. Occurs on broad, level early Quaternary sand deposits, above active flood levels. Red, gravelly sands and loams. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 31a). 4.5.8x2: Mixed open tussock grassland, with a combination of the species Aristida contorta, Eragrostis setifolia, Eriachne pulchella, Brachyachne convergens and Iseilema vaginiflorum. Other species include Astrebla pectinata, Dactyloctenium radulans, Trianthema triquetra, Portulaca spp. and Sclerolaena spp. Occurs on Tertiary deposits of gravel and eroded lateritic material, primarily in the west of the bioregion. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 31a). 4.5.8x60: Triodia basedowii hummock grassland. Emergent Eremophila obovata, Crotalaria eremaea and E. macdonnellii may occur. Occurs on isolated patches of Quaternary dunefield. Deep red sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33b). |
| Supplementary description | Wilson and Purdie (1990a), S1 (LU 8); Neldner (1991), 40 (51) |
| Protected areas | Diamantina NP, Bladensburg NP, Wiliyan-ngurru NP, Combo CP 2 |
| Special values | 4.5.8: Potential habitat for threatened fauna species including Pictorella mannikin, Heteromunia pectoralis. 4.5.8x60: Potential habitat for threatened fauna species including Pictorella mannikin, Heteromunia pectoralis. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: During the wet season to early dry season while soil retains moisture. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. Spinifex communities may naturally burn with a higher severity in some areas. INTERVAL: Broad fire interval range 10-15 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 10. INTERVAL_MAX: 15. STRATEGY: Apply mosaic across the landscape at a range of frequencies to create varying stages of post-fire response. Ensure some areas are left long unburnt (>15 years) but not so they promote wildfire. Mosaic 20-60% burn. ISSUES: Wet season burning can be undertaken as a series of small burns throughout the wet season. |
| Comments | 4.5.8: Fire frequency can affect density of woody species and Triodia pungens. 4.5.8x60: Fire frequency can affect density of woody species and Triodia pungens. |
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.
2 Superseded: Revision of the regional ecosystem classification removed this regional ecosystem code from use. It is included in the regional ecosystem description database because the RE code may appear in older versions of RE mapping and the Vegetation Management regulation.
