Regional ecosystem details for 5.6.5
| Regional ecosystem | 5.6.5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 10, 7, 2, 12, 8, 3, 11, (5), (4), (1), (4.2), (4.1), (6.11), (4.3), (13), (9), (6.10), (6.9) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 2464000 ha; Remnant 2021 2464000 ha |
| Short description | Variable sparse to open-herbland or Triodia basedowii hummock grassland on dune flanks, crests and sandy interdunes |
| Structure code | Hummock Grassland |
| Description | Triodia basedowii hummock grassland predominates but where absent Aristida holathera +/- Eragrostis eriopoda may predominate forming a sparse to open tussock grassland, and/or forbs may predominate forming a sparse to open forbland. Isolated trees and tall shrubs are usually present. Usually low shrubs occur and may form a well defined layer in some situations. Fire frequency can affect density of woody species and Triodia basedowii. Occurs on low sloping flanks, non-mobile crests and sandy interdune areas of Quaternary sand dunes. Soils deep to very deep, red, yellow and white earthy sands, occasionally red siliceous sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 5.6.5a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community has moved to 5.6.5. Triodia basedowii hummock grassland predominates but where absent Aristida holathera +/- Eragrostis eriopoda may predominate forming a sparse to open tussock grassland, and/or forbs may predominate forming a sparse to open forbland. Isolated trees and tall shrubs are usually present. Usually low shrubs occur and may form a well defined layer in some situations. Fire frequency can affect density of woody species and Triodia basedowii. Occurs on low sloping flanks, non-mobile crests and sandy interdune areas of Quaternary sand dunes. Soils deep to very deep, red, yellow and white earthy sands, occasionally red siliceous sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33a). 5.6.5b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community has moved to 5.6.2x1. Acacia ramulosa low open woodland. A lower shrub layer is well defined in places with Acacia ligulata common, but in other situations consists only of scattered shrubs. Ground cover is variable and composed of grasses and forbs +/- Triodia basedowii. Fire frequency can affect density of woody species and Triodia basedowii. Occurs on low dunes and sandplains of low relief associated with dunefields. Soils moderately deep red texture contrast soils with sandy loams overlying the sandy clays. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 36 (106), 25a (13); Boyland (1984), 22; Wilson and Purdie (1990a), D1, D2 (1); Dawson (1974), D1, D2 (8). |
| Protected areas | Munga-Thirri NP, Diamantina NP, Welford NP |
| Special values | 5.6.5: High reptile diversity. Potential habitat for threatened fauna species including mulgara Dasycerus cristicauda. 5.6.5a: High reptile diversity. Potential habitat for threatened fauna species including mulgara Dasycerus cristicauda. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Storm season / wet season. INTENSITY: Low - moderate. INTERVAL: Minimum 5-6 years but require patches with greater fire intervals in the mosaic. INTERVAL_MIN: 5. INTERVAL_MAX: 6. STRATEGY: Maintenance of a multi-aged mosaic of spinifex communities should protect these fire tolerant ecosystems and adjacent ecosystems which may not be so tolerant of burning. Burn with good soil moisture. Under hot and dry conditions, fires can be fierce in these ecosystems. ISSUES: Ensure multi-aged mosaic maintained at a landscape level, including long unburnt patches e.g., both large, mature clumps (to approximately 10 years old) and also areas of over-mature and senescent plants (> approximately 10 years old). Burning too much and this reducing ground cover for long periods, may promote sand shift. Winter burns may favour shrubs over Triodia spp. and thus change the ground layer over time. |
| Comments | 5.6.5: Density of shrubs and floristic composition vary with topographic position and disturbance. Triodia longiceps may be dominant on calcareous sands in north-east section of Simpson Desert. Composition of ground flora dependent on seasonal conditions and to a lesser degree both current and past land use. Simpson Desert. Requires burning in a mosaic pattern to maintain habitat values. 5.6.5a: Density of shrubs and floristic composition vary with topographic position and disturbance. Triodia longiceps may be dominant on calcareous sands in north-east section of Simpson Desert. Composition of ground flora dependent on seasonal conditions and to a lesser degree both current and past land use. Simpson Desert. Requires burning in a mosaic pattern to maintain habitat values. |
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.
2 Superseded: Revision of the regional ecosystem classification removed this regional ecosystem code from use. It is included in the regional ecosystem description database because the RE code may appear in older versions of RE mapping and the Vegetation Management regulation.
