Regional ecosystem details for 5.3.6
| Regional ecosystem | 5.3.6 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 6, 3, 5, 9, 2, (11), (4), (4.2), (10), (6.10) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 113000 ha; Remnant 2021 113000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus coolabah open woodland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Open Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus coolabah open woodland. The ground stratum is highly variable and ranges from very sparse to dense and in areas may be dominated by the perennial grasses Eragrostis setifolia and/or Sporobolus mitchellii and/or seasonally abundant ephemeral herbs. The latter includes the grasses Dactyloctenium radulans, Dichanthium spp. and Iseilema vaginiflorum which occur infrequently and the forbs Alternanthera nodiflora, Calotis hispidula, Centipeda thespidioides, Stemodia glabella, Cullen cinereum, Senecio depressicola and Streptoglossa adscendens, which are frequently present. A number of other ephemeral forbs, including species from the Apiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae, Goodeniaceae, and Malvaceae occur infrequently but may be seasonally prominent. Occurs on flood plains. Associated soils are deep, grey and brown cracking clays. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 5.3.6x1: Eucalyptus coolabah predominates forming an open woodland with a prominent low shrub stratum dominated by Duma florulenta and/or Chenopodium auricomum and/or Atriplex nummularia. Occurs on flood plains where incidence of floodwater inundation is somewhat extended due to constrictions or impediments. With decreasing duration of inundation grades into Eucalyptus coolabah open woodland on alluvial plains (5.3.6) and with increasing duration grades into Duma florulenta open shrubland (5.3.13a). Associated soils are deep, grey and brown cracking clays. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 16c). 5.3.6x2: Eucalyptus ochrophloia woodland, occasionally with Eucalyptus coolabah in wetter areas. Chenopodium auricomum commonly occurs in the shrub layer, Eremophila bignoniiflora and Eremophila maculata may occur. The ground layer is seasonally variable, composed of perennial grasses and ephemeral herbs. Frequent species can include Sclerolaena tricuspis, Sclerolaena glabra, Sclerolaena anisacanthoides, Neobassia proceriflora, Eragrostis setifolia and Sporobolus actinocladus. Occurs on alluvial plains or in shallow linear depressions. Soils are usually grey or brown alluvial cracking clays. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16c). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 2b (64); Boyland (1984), 1b, 1c; Dawson (1974), W5 (26 in part); |
| Protected areas | Diamantina NP |
| Special values | 5.3.6x2: High fauna diversity, particularly bird species. Seasonal nectar resource with potential to draw in little red flying fox (Pteropus scapulatus). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Various (wet season or winter). INTENSITY: Low. 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: Rarely burns due to low fuel loads. |
| Comments | 5.3.6: Heavily impacted by total grazing pressure. Habitat for feral pigs. 5.3.6x1: Similar to 5.3.18a but a Eucalyptus coolabah low open woodland. Occurs where the flood plain is dissected into multiple segments typically running between dunes. Gradient is very low and slow moving floodwaters pond for sufficient time to act as a wooded palustrine wetland. Differs from 5.3.6 in duration and frequency of inundation and consequently frequency of Duma florulenta and Chenopodium auricomum. South western Georgina - Eyre plains. Bullo river floodout. Heavily impacted by total grazing pressure. Habitat for feral pigs. 5.3.6x2: Highly valued for honey production. This community can grade into Eucalyptus coolabah open woodland. Occurs on the Bulloo River floodplain. |
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.
