Regional ecosystem details for 4.9.6
| Regional ecosystem | 4.9.6 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, 5, (11.26), (6.4), (6.9), (6.6), (10.1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 141000 ha; Remnant 2021 129000 ha |
| Short description | Astrebla spp. in mixed tussock grasslands wooded with mixed tree species on Cretaceous mudstones (Wallumbilla Formation) |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Mixed Astrebla spp. tussock grassland, commonly with other perennial grasses, including Panicum decompositum, Bothriochloa ewartiana, Eulalia aurea and Aristida leptopoda. Emergents commonly occur, including Hakea leucoptera, Acacia victoriae, Atalaya hemiglauca, Eucalyptus melanophloia, Acacia tephrina, A. cambagei, A. pendula and A. harpophylla. Occurs on undulating clay plains derived from Cretaceous mudstones (typically Wallumbilla Formation). Associated soils are generally deep brown cracking clays. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30b). |
| Supplementary description | Turner (1978), T1; Mills (1980), T5 (LU 54); Neldner (1984), 67 |
| Protected areas | Idalia NP |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not burn deliberately. The grasses and forbs of Astrebla spp. dominated communities do not require fire for regeneration. Protection relies on management of fire in the surrounding country to prevent running fires entering Astrebla spp. communities, particularly at times of low soil moisture. ISSUES: Fire can sometimes be used as a tool to control woody thickening and woody weeds in grasslands. Moderate intensity fire is required for a successful kill of the woody species but good moisture levels are required to ensure recovery of the ground layer. Large scale germination of woody species is most likely to occur in high rainfall years. The best management opportunity is usually after storms at the end of the subsequent dry season, although exclusion of grazing pressure may still be required to ensure sufficient fuel loads. |
| Comments | 4.9.6: Predominantly in the south-east of the bioregion. |
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.
