Regional ecosystem details for 4.9.19
| Regional ecosystem | 4.9.19 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, (6.9) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 26000 ha; Remnant 2021 23000 ha |
| Short description | Clumps of Acacia harpophylla low woodland to tall shrubland with Astrebla spp. grassland on Cretaceous sediments sometimes with a covering of Tertiary deposits |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | A mosaic of open grassland and groves of Acacia harpophylla low woodland. Areas of grassland are dominated by Astrebla lappacea, with other grasses including Aristida latifolia, Enneapogon avenaceus and Panicum laevinode. Scattered trees and shrubs such as Acacia harpophylla, A. pendula and Alectryon oleifolius commonly occur. Occurs on gently undulating plains formed from Cretaceous sediments sometimes with a covering of Tertiary deposits. Associated soils are deep red clays and texture ranging from light to heavy. Scattered gravel is common. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 25a). |
| Supplementary description | Mills (1980), H5 (LU 54); Neldner (1984), 28a |
| Protected areas | Idalia NP |
| Special values | 4.9.19: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Eremophila stenophylla, Ptilotus brachyanthus. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late wet to mid-dry season. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: Fire return interval flexible. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Patch burn <25% in the same year. Apply mosaic across the landscape at a range of frequencies to create varying stages of post-fire response. Burn after years of good rainfall in particular. Do not burn during drought years. ISSUES: Woody thickening becomes more severe where stock grazing is combined with repeated early season burns. Moderate fire may be required when targeting woody species that are starting to become overabundant. Ensure good soil moisture to favour grass regeneration over woody weeds. Removal of grazing pressure can increase fuel loads following periods of high rainfall that may lead to wildfire and homogeneity of the landscape. Fires that are too severe at times of low soil moisture will kill grasses. |
| Comments | 4.9.19: Acacia harpophylla trees are often concentrated around gilgai. Recycling has resulted in massive build-up of nutrients around A. harpophylla trees (Mills 1980). |
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.
