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Regional ecosystem details for 4.9.12

Regional ecosystem 4.9.12
Vegetation Management Act class Least concern
Wetlands Not a Wetland
Biodiversity status No concern at present
Subregion 2, 5, 7, 1.3, (3), (1), (1.1), (6), (2.3), (2.8), (2.5)
Estimated extent1 Pre-clearing 235000 ha; Remnant 2021 235000 ha
Short description Corymbia terminalis low open woodland with Astrebla pectinata +/- Eulalia aurea on plains of fine grained sediments
Structure code Low Open Woodland
Description Corymbia terminalis low open woodland, commonly with Atalaya hemiglauca and Lysiphyllum gilvum. Scattered shrubs including Acacia victoriae are often present, but rarely form a distinct layer. Much of the ground is bare or stony with scattered Enneapogon spp. and Aristida contorta. Astrebla spp., Eulalia aurea and Chrysopogon fallax dominate gilgai in the area. Occurs sporadically on plains formed from fine grained sediments. Soils generally shallow calcareous clays, with deeper clay soils in gilgai. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 27a).

Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include:
4.9.12x1: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem has been amalgamated into 4.9.2. Aristida latifolia and/or Astrebla pectinata sometimes with Enneapogon spp. And patches of Eulalia aurea. Clay plains of Mesozoic origin. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30b).
4.9.12x2: Eucalyptus microtheca low open woodland or woodland. There is a sparse mixed shrub layer and tussock grass ground layer. Occurs on pre-Cambrian limestone or dolomite. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16c).
4.9.12x3: [RE not in use]²: This regional ecosystem is now mapped as 4.9.12x7a. Mixed low open woodland, including combinations of the species Corymbia aparrerinja, C. terminalis, Grevillea striata, Hakea chordophylla and Lysiphyllum gilvum. Atalaya hemiglauca and Acacia excelsa subsp. angusta may occur. The ground layer is tussock grasses and Triodia spp. Small areas of Senna spp. And Eremophila spp. Shrubland may occur. Occurs on exposures of Tertiary limestone, commonly around the margins of broad Tertiary clay plains. Shallow brown clays with limestone and chert rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19b).
4.9.12x4: Corymbia terminalis and/or Eucalyptus leucophylla low open woodland, occasionally with Atalaya hemiglauca, Denhamia oleaster, Acacia georginae, Grevillea striata, Ventilago viminalis, Hakea chordophylla, E. leucophloia and Acacia cambagei. A shrub layer may occur, including Senna spp., Eremophila spp. And Acacia spp.. The ground layer is sparse tussock grasses. Occurs on exposures of Cambrian and Tertiary limestone. Shallow clays and skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19b).
4.9.12x4a: Corymbia terminalis and/or Eucalyptus leucophylla low open woodland, occasionally with Atalaya hemiglauca, Denhamia oleaster, Acacia georginae, Grevillea striata, Ventilago viminalis, Hakea chordophylla, E. leucophloia and Acacia cambagei. A shrub layer may occur, including Senna spp., Eremophila spp. And Acacia spp.. The ground layer is sparse tussock grasses. Occurs on undulating rises and low hills of Cambrian limestone. Shallow clays and skeletal soils. A thin veneer of Tertiary sand may occur on the surface. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19b).
4.9.12x4b: Mixed low open woodland, with combinations of the species Corymbia terminalis, Atalaya hemiglauca, Ventilago viminalis, Acacia georginae and Owenia acidula. A shrub layer may occur including Senna spp., Eremophila spp. The ground layer is sparse tussock grasses. Occurs on exposures of Tertiary limestone, associated with eroding surfaces around the Georgina River. Shallow brown clays with limestone and chert rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19b).
4.9.12x4c: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 4.9.12x6. Atalaya hemiglauca, Hakea chordophylla low open woodland, occasionally with Corymbia terminalis and Capparis umbonata. The ground layer is sparse tussock grasses. Occurs on rolling low hills of Cambrian shale, chert and limestone. Shallow clays and skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 27b).
4.9.12x5: Eucalyptus coolabah, Acacia georginae low open woodland, occasionally with Corymbia terminalis and Atalaya hemiglauca. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Astrebla pectinata, Chrysopogon fallax, Eulalia aurea and Iseilema sp. Occurs on exposures of Tertiary limestone, associated with eroding surfaces around the Georgina River. Shallow brown clays with limestone and chert rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18c).
4.9.12x6: Atalaya hemiglauca, Hakea chordophylla low open woodland, occasionally with Corymbia terminalis, Psydrax sp., Ventilago viminalis and Grevillea striata. The ground layer is sparse tussock grasses. Occurs on rolling low hills of Cambrian shale, chert and limestone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 27a).
4.9.12x7a: Mixed low open woodland, including combinations of the species Corymbia aparrerinja, C. terminalis, Grevillea striata, Hakea chordophylla and Lysiphyllum gilvum. Atalaya hemiglauca and Acacia excelsa subsp. angusta may occur. The ground layer is tussock grasses and Triodia spp. Small areas of Senna spp. and Eremophila spp. shrubland may occur. Occurs on exposures of Tertiary limestone (Noranside Limestone), commonly around the margins of broad Tertiary clay plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19b).
4.9.12x7b: Mixed low open woodland, including combinations of the species Atalaya hemiglauca, Ventilago viminalis, Grevillea striata, Corymbia terminalis and Hakea chordophylla. A shrub layer of Senna spp. may occur. The ground layer is sparse tussock grasses. Occurs on exposures of Tertiary or Mesozoic limestones. Shallow brown clays with limestone and chert rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19b).
4.9.12x7c: Corymbia terminalis, Grevillea striata, Acacia victoriae low open woodland. Occurs on exposures of Tertiary limestone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19b).
4.9.12x7d: Mixed open woodland, with combinations of the species Corymbia terminalis, Atalaya hemiglauca, Ventilago viminalis, Acacia georginae and Owenia acidula. A shrub layer may occur including Senna spp., Eremophila spp. The ground layer is sparse tussock grasses. Occurs on exposures of Tertiary limestone, associated with eroding surfaces around the Georgina River. Shallow brown clays with limestone and chert rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19b).
4.9.12x8: Mixed low open woodland, including combinations of the species Atalaya hemiglauca, Ventilago viminalis, Corymbia terminalis and Denhamia oleaster. A sparse shrub layer may occur. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Aristida spp., Enneapogon spp. and Astrebla lappacea. Occurs on rises of exposed Cretaceous mudstone (Toolebuc Formation) with rocks to the surface. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19b).
Supplementary description Neldner (1991), 19b (44)
Protected areas Wiliyan-ngurru NP
Fire management guidelines SEASON: During the wet season to early dry season while soil retains moisture. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: Fire return interval flexible. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Sparse ground layer may preclude ability to burn. Mosaic burn less than 30% in any year. Interval will depend on need for burning, seasonal conditions and grazing pressure. ISSUES: Ground layer is typically sparse and seasonally variable. x2: Eucalyptus microtheca is a facultative resprouter; fire is unlikely to be an issue.
Comments 4.9.12: Little regeneration or coppicing of Corymbia terminalis is occurring, possibly due to high total grazing pressure. Extensively invaded by buffel grass *Cenchrus ciliaris. 4.9.12x2: Astrebla spp. are absent. 4.9.12x6: Was previously mapped as 4.9.12x4c. Little regeneration or coppicing of Corymbia terminalis is occurring, possibly due to high total grazing pressure. Extensively invaded by buffel grass *Cenchrus ciliaris. 4.9.12x7a: Was previously mapped as 4.9.12x3. 4.9.12x8: Was previously partly mapped as 4.9.8b.

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.

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Licence
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Last updated
16 November 2023