Regional ecosystem details for 4.7.2
| Regional ecosystem | 4.7.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 3, 1, 2, 1.3, (5), (7), (5.5), (1.1), (4), (5.4), (5.2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 469000 ha; Remnant 2021 468000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus normantonensis low open woodland with Triodia spp. on lateritic plateau margins and slopes |
| Structure code | Low Open Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus normantonensis low open woodland to low woodland with a hummock grass ground layer, dominated by Triodia molesta on upper slopes, and by T. brizoides or T. longiceps on lower slopes. In some areas Acacia ancistrocarpa, A. ligulata, A. cowleana and A. dictyophleba shrub may be prominent. A variety of other shrubs, including Acacia spp., Capparis spp., Cassia spp., Eremophila spp., and Maireana spp. occur infrequently. The ground cover between the shrubs and grass hummocks is usually sparse, with grasses such Aristida spp. and Paspalidium spp. and forbs, including a number from the Chenopodiaceae, occurring infrequently. Occurs on plateau margins and detrital slopes of dissected lateritic plateaus, mesas and buttes formed mainly from deeply weathered Cretaceous sediments. Soils very shallow, gravely, loamy lithosols with lateritic gravel and rock. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 4.7.2x1: Triodia spp. hummock grassland. Emergent Eucalyptus leucophloia, Acacia shirleyi, A. cambagei and E. normantonensis commonly occur. Corymbia aparrerinja, C. terminalis and A. aneura may occur as emergents. Acacia sp. shrubs may occur. Includes small areas with little to no vegetation. Occurs on Tertiary lateritic plateaux and residuals derived from deeply weathered Mesozoic sediments and Cambrian shales. Skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33b). 4.7.2x1a: Triodia spp. hummock grassland. Emergent Eucalyptus leucophloia, Acacia shirleyi, A. cambagei and E. normantonensis commonly occur. Includes small areas with little to no vegetation. Occurs on eroding surfaces and edges of Tertiary lateritic plateaux derived from deeply weathered Mesozoic sediments. Skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33b). 4.7.2x1b: Triodia spp. hummock grassland. Emergent Eucalyptus leucophloia, Acacia cambagei, Corymbia aparrerinja, C. terminalis and A. aneura may occur. Acacia sp. shrubs may occur. Includes small areas with little to no vegetation. Occurs on Tertiary lateritic residuals derived from deeply weathered Cambrian shales, commonly overlying limestones. Skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33b). 4.7.2x1c: Triodia spp. hummock grassland. Emergent Eucalyptus leucophloia, A. aneura, Acacia cambagei and E. normantonensis may occur. Scattered shrubs may occur. Occurs on narrow, intact surfaces of lateritic plateaux, derived from deeply weathered Cretaceous mudstones. Skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33b). 4.7.2x2: Variable mosaic of communities, frequently dominated by areas of bare rock. Includes areas of Astrebla spp., Triodia spp. and sparse tussock grasses and forbs. Scattered Atalaya hemiglauca, Acacia aneura and Acacia cambagei may occur. Includes small areas of Atalaya hemiglauca low open woodland and Senna spp. and Eremophila spp. low shrubland. Occurs on degraded residuals (commonly mottled/pallid zones) of Tertiary lateritic plateaus fromed from lateritised Cretaceous sediments. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). 4.7.2x4: Triodia longiceps hummock grassland. Other species include Sporobolus spp., Streptoglossa odora and Ptilotus spp. Emergent Acacia bivenosa, Senna spp. and Eremophila spp. may occur. Occurs on silcrete-topped Tertiary limestone rises (Old Cork Beds). Skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33b). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 30a (38); Wilson and Purdie (1990a), R1, R4 (22) |
| Protected areas | Bladensburg NP, Diamantina NP |
| Special values | 4.7.2: High reptile species diversity. Potential habitat for night parrot Pezoporus occidentalis. 4.7.2x2: High reptile species diversity. Potential habitat for night parrot Pezoporus occidentalis. |
| 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 | 4.7.2: Requires a fire management program of mosaic patch burning. 4.7.2x2: Requires a fire management program of mosaic patch burning. 4.7.2x4: Previously mapped as part of 4.7.2x1. |
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.
