Regional ecosystem details for 4.9.13
| Regional ecosystem | 4.9.13 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, 2, 1.3, (5.1), (1.1), (7), (3), (5.5), (5.2), (5.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 297000 ha; Remnant 2021 296000 ha |
| Short description | Senna artemisioides subsp. helmsii and S. artemisioides subsp. oligophylla +/- Acacia spp. open shrubland on tops and footslopes of Cambrian limestone residuals |
| Structure code | Open Shrubland |
| Description | Senna artemisioides subsp. helmsii and S. artemisioides subsp. oligophylla open shrubland, occasionally with Acacia spp. Scattered low trees such as Corymbia terminalis, Atalaya hemiglauca and Acacia georginae may occur. The sub shrub Ptilotus obovatus occurs frequently. Scaevola laciniata and other shrubs are present infrequently. The ground layer is usually dominated by the short grasses Enneapogon avenaceus, E. cylindricus, Digitaria divaricatissima var. divaricatissima, Tripogon loliiformis and the forbs Euphorbia australis, Rhodanthe floribunda, Melhania oblongifolia and Trichodesma zeylanicum occur frequently. A variety of other perennial and ephemeral forbs are present infrequently. Occurs on flat to gently undulating plateau tops and footslopes of Cambrian limestone residuals. Soils predominantly shallow red calcareous soils and minor gradational calcareous soils. Limestone fragments occurs throughout the profile, usually with slight texture and colour changes with increasing depth. Soils are very strongly alkaline. Surfaces are crusted, often with moderate structure development due to organic matter accumulation. Soils are pulverulent. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 4.9.13a: Mixed shrubland, with combinations of the species Senna artemisioides subsp. helmsii, Senna artemisioides subsp. oligophylla, Acacia chisholmii, A bivenosa, Eremophila spp., Senna spp. and Acacia spp. Emergent Eucalyptus leucophylla, Corymbia terminalis and A. cambagei may occur. The ground layer is patchy, with tussock grasses and Triodia spp. Occurs on Cambrian limestone low hills. Shallow clays and skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24b). 4.9.13b: Mixed shrubland, with combinations of the species Senna artemisioides subsp. helmsii, Senna artemisioides subsp. oligophylla, Eremophila spp., Acacia bivenosa, A. sibirica, Senna spp. and Acacia spp. Emergent Acacia georginae and Corymbia terminalis may occur. Occurs on undulating Cambrian limestone and dolomite landscapes. Shallow clays and skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24b). 4.9.13c: Mixed shrubland, with a combination of the species Acacia chisholmii, Senna spp., Eremophila spp., Hakea chordophylla and Acacia spp. Emergent Corymbia terminalis, Acacia cambagei and Acacia aneura may occur. Triodia spp. commonly dominate the ground layer. Occurs on exposures of Cambrian limestone and shale, commonly overlain by eroding lateritic surfaces. Shallow clays and skeletal soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24b). 4.9.13d: Mixed shrubland, with combinations of the species Senna artemisioides subsp. helmsii, Senna artemisioides subsp. oligophylla, Eremophila spp., Acacia bivenosa, A. sibirica, Senna spp. and Acacia spp. Emergent Acacia georginae and Corymbia terminalis may occur. Occurs on rises and low hills of Tertiary limestones and mudstones around the Diamantina River. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24b). 4.9.13x1: Triodia longiceps hummock grassland. Emergent Corymbia terminalis and Senna spp. may occur. Occurs on rises and low hills of Cambrian limestone (Chatsworth Limestone). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24b). |
| Supplementary description | Wilson and Purdie (1990a), R3 (29); Neldner (1991), 33 (22) |
| Protected areas | Diamantina NP |
| Special values | 4.9.13: Potential habitat for vulnerable plant species, Eremophila tetraptera. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Exclude fire. ISSUES: Unlikely to burn due to generally sparse nature. Rarely enough fuel load to burn in any case. |
| Comments | 4.9.13: Many Acacia georginae tall shrubs stand dead with little regeneration present. |
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.
