Regional ecosystem details for 4.9.8
| Regional ecosystem | 4.9.8 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 5, 4, (6), (6.8), (9.5), (2.5), (6.9), (10.1), (10.4), (11.26), (2.3), (10.2), (5.4), (6.6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 1253000 ha; Remnant 2021 1212000 ha |
| Short description | Astrebla spp. grassland wooded with Atalaya hemiglauca +/- Alectryon oleifolius +/- Flindersia maculosa on Cretaceous sediments |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Astrebla lappacea tussock grassland, occasionally with A. squarrosa and A. elymoides. Iseilema vaginiflorum and Panicum decompositum may occur. Other tussock grasses and forbs are present when seasonal conditions are favourable. Low Atalaya hemiglauca, Alectryon oleifolius subsp. elongatus and/or Flindersia maculosa trees may occur. Scattered low shrubs are present, but rarely form a distinct layer. Occurs on flat to gently undulating plains adjacent to alluvia or fringing undulating downs. Soils moderately deep to deep, brown cracking clays derived from weathered sediments of Cretaceous Winton Formation. Soils usually self-mulching beneath a weakly developed crust. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 4.9.8a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 4.9.8. Astrebla lappacea (5-30% cover) usually predominates forming a tussock grassland. In places, A. pectinata may predominate. A. squarrosa and A. elymoides are codominant occasionally. Iseilema vaginiflorum and Panicum decompositum are frequently conspicuous. Other tussock grasses and forbs are present when seasonal conditions are favourable. Low, scattered Vachellia sutherlandii or Acacia victoriae trees are always present. Scattered low shrubs are present, but rarely form a distinct layer. Occurs widely on flat to gently undulating plains frequently adjacent to alluvia or fringing undulating downs. Soils moderately deep to deep, brown cracking clays derived from weathered sediments of Cretaceous Winton Formation. Soils usually self-mulching beneath a weakly developed crust. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 26a). 4.9.8b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community has been amalgamated into 4.9.12x8. Astrebla lappacea usually predominates forming a tussock grassland with low Atalaya hemiglauca, Alectryon oleifolius subsp. elongatus and/or Flindersia maculosa trees forming a low open woodland in places. Occurs on flat to gently undulating plains frequently with shallow soils formed from Cretaceous sediments. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30b). |
| Supplementary description | Mills (1980) T4; Neldner (1991), 44c; Turner (1978), T1; Turner et al. (1993), T3 (51), F3 (53) |
| Protected areas | Idalia NP, Lochern NP |
| Special values | 4.9.8: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Acacia crombiei, Calotis suffruticosa. |
| 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 | 4.9.8: Floristic composition of ground layer variable, affected by seasonal conditions and grazing history (Neldner, 1991). Some areas associated with increased woody cover between 1951 and 1994 (Fensham and Fairfax, 2004). 4.9.8a: Floristic composition of ground layer variable, affected by seasonal conditions and grazing history (Neldner, 1991). |
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.
