Regional ecosystem details for 4.7.6
| Regional ecosystem | 4.7.6 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, 2, 3, (4), (5), (1.3), (5.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 145000 ha; Remnant 2021 144000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia chisholmii open shrubland on lateritic scarps and plateau margins |
| Structure code | Open Shrubland |
| Description | Acacia chisholmii open shrubland. Other Acacia spp. and/or scattered Eucalyptus spp. may be present. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia spp. Occurs on scarp retreats and adjacent tops of dissected lateritic plateaus. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 4.7.6a: Mixed shrubland, with combinations of Acacia spp., Senna spp. and Eremophila spp. Emergent Acacia aneura, Acacia cambagei, Atalaya hemiglauca and Corymbia terminalis may occur. The ground layer is commonly dominated by Triodia spp. Occurs on lateritic residuals derived from deeply weathered Cretaceous mudstones. Skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 23b). 4.7.6x1: Acacia aneura and/or Acacia sibirica tall open shrubland, commonly with Senna spp. and Eremophila spp. Other Acacia spp., Atalaya hemiglauca, Eucalyptus normantonensis and lower shrubs may occur. Occurs on rises and low hills of deeply weathered Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19b). 4.7.6x1a: Acacia aneura and/or Acacia sibirica tall open shrubland, commonly with Senna spp. and Eremophila spp. Acacia shirleyi, Atalaya hemiglauca and Acacia cambagei and lower shrubs may occur. Occurs on rises and low hills of deeply weathered Cretaceous mudstones. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19b). 4.7.6x1b: Acacia aneura tall open shrubland, occasionally with A. cambagei and A. cyperophylla. A variable shrub layer commonly occurs, with several Acacia spp., Senna spp. and Eremophila spp.. Small patches of Eucalyptus normantonensis occur. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia spp. Occurs on eroding edges of lateritised Tertiary sandstone (Mueller Formation). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19b). 4.7.6x2: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 4.7.6x1b. Acacia aneura low open woodland, occasionally with A. cambagei and A. cyperophylla. A variable shrub layer commonly occurs, with several Acacia spp., Senna spp. and Eremophila spp.. Small patches of Eucalyptus normantonensis occur. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia spp. Occurs on eroding edges of lateritised Tertiary sandstone (Mueller Formation). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19b). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 31a |
| Protected areas | Diamantina NP |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Wet to early dry season when soil is moist. INTENSITY: Low. INTERVAL: Broad interval range of 6-10 years for open acacia with grassy understorey. INTERVAL_MIN: 6. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Patchy, within the 20-30% range of area burnt. ISSUES: Acacias 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 | 4.7.6x1b: Was previously mapped as 4.7.6x2. |
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.
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.
