Regional ecosystem details for 5.6.6
| Regional ecosystem | 5.6.6 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 7, 5, 4, (2), (4.1), (6.10), (1), (6.9), (10), (3), (4.2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 317000 ha; Remnant 2021 314000 ha |
| Short description | Triodia basedowii hummock grassland wooded with Acacia spp., Senna spp., Grevillea spp. +/- Eucalyptus spp. on sand plains |
| Structure code | Hummock Grassland |
| Description | Triodia basedowii hummock grassland with scattered Acacia spp., Senna spp., Grevillea spp., Eucalyptus spp. trees /tall shrubs. In places approaches a tall open shrubland or low open woodland. Low shrubs are conspicuous forming a very well defined layer in places. Ground cover is variable depending on seasonal conditions both present and past as well as land use. Occurs on flat to gently undulating aeolian Cainozoic sandplains. Associated soils are generally deep to very deep, slightly acid to neutral, red earthy sands, sandy red earths and occasional red siliceous sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 5.6.6a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 5.6.6. Open grassland of Eriachne mucronata, Aristida contorta to forbland of Sclerolaena lanicuspis with isolated trees of Ventilago viminalis, Corymbia terminalis, Atalaya hemiglauca and Grevillea striata, with isolated shrubs of Acacia tetragonophylla or Acacia brachystachya and Eremophila duttonii. Occurs on flat to gently undulating aeolian Cainozoic sandplains. Associated soils are generally deep to very deep, slightly acid to neutral, red earthy sands, sandy red earths and occasional red siliceous sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33a). 5.6.6b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 5.6.6. Triodia basedowii predominates forming a distinct but discontinuous ground layer canopy (0.5-1.0m tall). Trees and tall shrubs emerge above the canopy almost approaching a tall open shrubland or low open woodland in places. Low shrubs are conspicuous forming a very well-defined layer in places where disturbance, either natural or man-made has occurred. Ground cover is variable depending on seasonal conditions both present and past as well as land use. Occurs on flat to gently undulating aeolian Cainozoic sandplains. Associated soils are generally deep to very deep, slightly acid to neutral, red earthy sands, sandy red earths and occasional red siliceous sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 33a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 37a (107); Boyland (1984), 23; Wilson and Purdie (1990a), S1 (5); Mills (1980), S4, S6 (5) |
| Protected areas | Welford NP, Diamantina NP |
| Special values | 5.6.6: Habitat for small reptiles and threatened fauna species. Possible habitat for Pezoporus occidentalis (night parrot). |
| 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 | 5.6.6: RE 5.6.6a and 5.6.6b were amalgamated into this RE. Extensive area to the north of the 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.
