Regional ecosystem details for 5.3.16
| Regional ecosystem | 5.3.16 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 8, 9, 2, 5, 7, (4), (12), (6), (3), (10), (11), (6.11), (6.10), (13), (1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 418000 ha; Remnant 2021 418000 ha |
| Short description | Eragrostis australasica sparse tussock grassland on intermittently inundated depressions on flood plains, interdune flats, clay pans and clay plains |
| Structure code | Sparse Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Eragrostis australasica sparse tussock grassland occasionally with scattered Eucalyptus coolabah low trees. Eragrostis australasica often forms pure stands, but scattered Maireana microcarpa and Duma florulenta low shrubs may occur. The ground layer between the grass hummocks is usually extremely sparse (often bare), but various grasses such as Diplachne fusca and Eragrostis dielsii and forbs such as Atriplex spongiosa, Maireana microcarpa, Teucrium racemosum and Frankenia uncinata may be seasonally abundant. Occurs on intermittently inundated depressions and lakes on alluvial plains and interdune flats, and clay pans. Associated soils are very deep, strongly alkaline grey clays with a surface crust. And polygonal cracking surface. Heavy clays throughout and a gypsum layer may occur at depths. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 5.3.16a: Eragrostis australasica sparse tussock grassland occasionally with scattered Eucalyptus coolabah low trees. Eragrostis australasica often forms pure stands, but scattered Maireana microcarpa and Duma florulenta low shrubs may occur. The ground layer between the grass hummocks is usually extremely sparse (often bare), but various grasses such as Diplachne fusca and Eragrostis dielsii and forbs such as Atriplex spongiosa, Maireana microcarpa, Teucrium racemosum and Frankenia uncinata may be seasonally abundant. Occurs on interdune flats and clay pans and less frequently in depressions on clay plains. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34b). 5.3.16b: Eragrostis australasica sparse tussock grassland occasionally with scattered Eucalyptus coolabah low trees. Eragrostis australasica often forms pure stands, but scattered Maireana microcarpa and Duma florulenta low shrubs may occur. The ground layer between the grass hummocks is usually extremely sparse (often bare), but various grasses such as Diplachne fusca and Eragrostis dielsii and forbs such as Atriplex spongiosa, Maireana microcarpa, Teucrium racemosum and Frankenia uncinata may be seasonally abundant. Occurs on intermittently inundated depressions and lakes on flood plains. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34g). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 35e (82); Boyland (1984), 19d; Wilson and Purdie (1990a), L1 (84) |
| Protected areas | Munga-Thirri NP, Pullen Pullen SWR |
| Special values | 5.3.16: Habitat for threatened fauna species including grey grass wren Amytornis barbatus. 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. Burning by graziers is carried out to encourage grass growth (e.g., channel millet), impacting on waterbird breeding. |
| Comments | 5.3.16: In places, Eucalyptus coolabah and the shrubs Acacia stenophylla and Eremophila bignoniiflora fringe this association. 5.3.16b: E. g. Bulloo Lakes. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13.1 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.
