Regional ecosystem details for 4.9.15
| Regional ecosystem | 4.9.15 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 4, (6.9), (6.6), (6.4), (6.5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 52000 ha; Remnant 2021 11000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia harpophylla tall shrubland with scattered emergent Atalaya hemiglauca +/- Eucalyptus spp. on Cretaceous sediments |
| Structure code | Tall Shrubland |
| Description | Acacia harpophylla tall shrubland to low woodland. Emergent Atalaya hemiglauca and Brachychiton rupestris may occur. Other tall shrubs include Archidendropsis basaltica, Eremophila mitchellii and Santalum lanceolatum. A low shrub layer, including Capparis anomala, Eremophila deserti and Capparis lasiantha may occur. The ground layer is sparse to open, and consists of grasses and forbs. Occurs on gently undulating plains formed on Cretaceous sediments. Associated soils include shallow to moderately deep grey cracking clays or shallow to moderately deep medium to heavy clays usually a weak gilgai microrelief and with a light cover of ironstone pebble and sandstone rock on the surface. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 25a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1984), 59; Turner (1978), B5 (31), B1 (18) |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Wet to early dry season when soil is moist. INTENSITY: Low. INTERVAL: Brigalow should be left long unburnt often for >10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 10. INTERVAL_MAX: 50. STRATEGY: Patchy, within the 20-30% range of area burnt. ISSUES: Acacias (e.g., gidgee) 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 | 4.9.15: Extensively cleared. Major threats include further clearing and the associated fragmentation and introduction of exotic pasture species. |
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.
