Regional ecosystem details for 5.3.17
| Regional ecosystem | 5.3.17 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 3, 10, (5), (11), (4), (9), (1), (12) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 45000 ha; Remnant 2021 45000 ha |
| Short description | Tecticornia spp. open-succulent shrubland fringing playa lakes or clay pans |
| Structure code | Open Succulent Shrubland |
| Description | Tecticornia spp. open succulent shrubland with occasional low isolated shrubs. Trees and tall shrubs do not occur. The ground cover is variable and composed mainly of forbs but grasses are present. In places near the margins of lakes, Maireana spp. open succulent shrubland and/or Duma florulenta open shrubland adjoins this association. Occurs in fringes around lakes and fringing dunes (lunettes)(e.g. in vicinity of Lake Machattie, Mulligan River and Eyre Creek), smaller playa lakes and localised alluvial areas. Soils deep and composed of predominantly fine grained material such as clay, silt and salts on the dunes. Soils of the alluvial areas very deep, alkaline, grey clays. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 5.3.17a: Tecticornia spp. open succulent shrubland with occasional low isolated shrubs. Trees and tall shrubs do not occur. The ground cover is variable and composed mainly of forbs but grasses are present. Often grades into Maireana spp. dwarf open shrubland, Duma florulenta open shrubland and/or flood plain herblands. Occurs in fringes around flood plain lakes on fringing dunes (lunettes) and on depressions on flood plains (e.g. in vicinity of Lake Machattie, Mulligan River and Eyre Creek), Soils of the alluvial areas very deep, alkaline, grey clays. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34b). 5.3.17b: Tecticornia spp. open succulent shrubland with occasional low isolated shrubs. Trees and tall shrubs do not occur. The ground cover is variable and composed mainly of forbs but grasses are present. In places near the margins of lakes, Maireana spp. open succulent shrubland and/or Duma florulenta open shrubland adjoins this association. Occurs in smaller playa lakes, clay pans and localised alluvial areas. Soils deep and composed of predominantly fine grained material such as clay, silt and salts on the dunes. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34b). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 35f (79); Boyland (1984), Q |
| Special values | 5.3.17: Potential habitat for threatened fauna, e.g. night parrot Pezoporus occidentalis. 5.3.17a: Potential habitat for threatened fauna, e.g. night parrot Pezoporus occidentalis. 5.3.17b: Potential habitat for threatened fauna, e.g. night parrot Pezoporus occidentalis. |
| 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 | 5.3.17: Heavily impacted by grazing and trampling. 5.3.17a: Heavily impacted by grazing and trampling. 5.3.17b: Heavily impacted by grazing and trampling. |
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.
