Regional ecosystem details for 5.3.15
| Regional ecosystem | 5.3.15 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 3, 5, (11), (9), (10), (4), (4.1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 45000 ha; Remnant 2021 45000 ha |
| Short description | Maireana spp. dwarf open shrubland on alluvial plains, interdune flats, clay pans and clay plains |
| Structure code | Dwarf Open Shrubland |
| Description | Maireana aphylla usually dominates this dwarf open shrubland although other species may occur. Maireana astrotricha may be locally prominent where gypsum deposits are close to the surface. Scattered shrubs of Acacia spp., Atriplex nummularia, Senna phyllodinea, Chenopodium auricomum, Rhagodia spinescens and Eremophila polyclada occur frequently. Scattered tussocks of the perennial grass Eragrostis setifolia occur frequently, with other grasses such as Eragrostis spp. and Sporobolus spp. occurring infrequently. A variety of mostly ephemeral forbs may be present. Atriplex spongiosa is usually present and species from Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae and Malvaceae and other families occur infrequently. Occurs on interdune flats, clay pans and fringing gypsum deposits formed on recent alluvium associated with dune systems. Associated soils are very deep, crusted, grey cracking clays and minor wind-blown, sandy surfaced alluvial texture contrast soils. A gypsum layer may occur in the profile. Crusted non-coherent clays occur on the gypsum deposits. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 5.3.15a: Maireana aphylla usually dominates this dwarf open shrubland although other species may occur. Maireana astrotricha may be locally prominent where gypsum deposits are close to the surface. Scattered shrubs of Acacia spp., Atriplex nummularia, Senna phyllodinea, Chenopodium auricomum, Rhagodia spinescens and Eremophila polyclada occur frequently. Scattered tussocks of the perennial grass Eragrostis setifolia occur frequently, with other grasses such as Eragrostis spp. and Sporobolus spp. occurring infrequently. A variety of mostly ephemeral forbs may be present. Atriplex spongiosa is usually present and species from Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae and Malvaceae and other families occur infrequently. Occurs on interdune flats and clay pans. Associated soils are very deep, crusted, grey cracking clays and minor wind-blown, sandy surfaced alluvial texture contrast soils. A gypsum layer may occur in the profile. Crusted non-coherent clays occur on the gypsum deposits. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34b). 5.3.15b: Maireana aphylla usually dominates this dwarf open shrubland although other species may occur. Maireana astrotricha may be locally prominent where gypsum deposits are close to the surface. Scattered shrubs of Acacia spp., Atriplex nummularia, Senna phyllodinea, Chenopodium auricomum, Rhagodia spinescens and Eremophila polyclada occur frequently. Scattered tussocks of the perennial grass Eragrostis setifolia occur frequently, with other grasses such as Eragrostis spp. and Sporobolus spp. occurring infrequently. A variety of mostly ephemeral forbs may be present. Atriplex spongiosa is usually present and species from Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae and Malvaceae and other families occur infrequently. Occurs on or fringing intermittently inundated depressions and lakes and associated gypsum deposits formed on recent alluvium. Associated soils are very deep, crusted, grey cracking clays and minor windblown, sandy surfaced alluvial texture contrast soils. A gypsum layer may occur in the profile. Crusted non-coherent clays occur on the gypsum deposits. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34g). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 35d (80); Boyland (1984), 21; Wilson and Purdie (1990a), L1 (85) |
| Special values | 5.3.15: Provides wetland habitat for flora and fauna. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Various (wet season or winter). INTENSITY: Low - moderate. INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Aim to exclude fire by fuel reduction in adjacent vegetation communities where possible. Undertake partial burns when necessary to reduce fuel loads and protect against severe wildfire. Burn with high soil moisture (i.e., after rain/storms) or in winter when fire is more easily controlled. ISSUES: Important waterbird breeding habitat. Rarely burns due to low fuel loads. |
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.
