Regional ecosystem details for 5.3.8
| Regional ecosystem | 5.3.8 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Riverine |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 5, 4, 3, 2, (6), (8), (9), (4.2), (11), (7), (1), (13), (4.3), (6.10), (12), (10), (4.1), (6.9), (4.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 399000 ha; Remnant 2021 399000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus coolabah low open woodland +/- Duma florulenta on braided channels, drainage lines, flood plain lakes and claypans |
| Structure code | Low Open Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus coolabah low open woodland with a distinct and semi-continuous, low shrub layer dominated by Duma florulenta. Scattered shrubs including Acacia stenophylla, Eremophila bignoniiflora and Chenopodium auricomum occur frequently. The ground cover is dominated by the perennial grasses Eragrostis setifolia and 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. Widespread on braided drainage systems, minor drainage lines, fringing flood plain lakes and on claypans in dunes. Associated soils are very deep, grey and brown cracking clays with a self mulching surface. Surface silt and sand bands are common in soil profile. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 5.3.8a: Eucalyptus coolabah low open woodland with a distinct and semi-continuous, low shrub layer dominated by Duma florulenta. Scattered shrubs including Acacia stenophylla, Eremophila bignoniiflora and Chenopodium auricomum occur frequently. The ground cover is dominated by the perennial grasses Eragrostis setifolia and 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. Widespread on and between braided channels where water backs up on frequently flooded alluvial plains. Associated soils are very deep, grey and brown cracking clays with a self mulching surface. Surface silt and sand bands are common in soil profile. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 5.3.8ax1: Eucalyptus coolabah sometimes with Atalaya hemiglauca low open woodland. Tall shrubs may be conspicuous but rarely form a distinct layer. Low shrubs sometimes occur, but rarely form a well-defined layer. The ground flora is variable with either grasses or forbs conspicuous depending on seasonal conditions. In places there is little or no ground layer present. Treeless areas common. Occurs on smaller drainage lines, sometimes braided, within undulating clay plains. Soils deep, grey and brown cracking clays. Sand and silt bands may occur in profile. Riverine. (BVG1M: 16a). 5.3.8b: Eucalyptus coolabah low open woodland usually with Duma florulenta shrubs other scattered shrubs including Acacia stenophylla, Eremophila bignoniiflora and Chenopodium auricomum occur frequently. The ground cover is usually dominated by the perennial grasses Eragrostis setifolia and Sporobolus mitchellii and/or seasonally abundant ephemeral herbs. Occurs fringing and/or scattered across claypans in dunes. Associated soils are very deep, grey and brown cracking clays. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 16a). 5.3.8c: Eucalyptus coolabah low open woodland sometimes with Duma florulenta fringing larger flood plain lakes. The ground layer is variable in cover and floristics with either grasses or forbs conspicuous depending on seasonal conditions. In places there is little or no vegetation. Occurs fringing flood plain lakes. Associated soils are very deep, grey and brown cracking clays. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 16a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 18 (66); Boyland (1984), 8; Wilson and Purdie (1990a), C1 (78) |
| Protected areas | Diamantina NP, Astrebla Downs NP, Bladensburg NP, Pullen Pullen SWR |
| 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 | 5.3.8: Includes areas co dominated or sometimes dominated by Acacia stenophylla low woodland. Muehlenbeckia florulenta forms dense stands. Flooding frequency high. Ground flora dominated by ephemeral forbs. Apiaceae, Brassicaceae, Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae, Goodeniaceae and Malvaceae species occur infrequently but are seasonally prominent. Includes many small braided (riverine channels) fringed by palustrine vegetated wetlands. Habitat for feral cats and pigs. |
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.
