Regional ecosystem details for 5.9.1
| Regional ecosystem | 5.9.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 1, 4, (11), (10), (3), (5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 109000 ha; Remnant 2021 109000 ha |
| Short description | Senna spp., Eremophila spp. +/- Acacia spp. +/- Maireana spp. open shrublands on fresh Cretaceous sediments and Cretaceous or Tertiary limestones |
| Structure code | Open Shrubland |
| Description | A variety of low shrub species occur together to form an open shrubland. Common dominants include Senna spp., Eremophila spp., Acacia spp., Maireana spp. Sparsely scattered Acacia cambagei/georginae or Corymbia terminalis may occur as emergent trees in places. The ground layer is a seasonally variable sparse to open-herbland. Occurs on both flat to gently undulating clay plains and mantled pediments on fresh Cretaceous sediments as well as on tablelands and footslopes of Tertiary and Cretaceous limestone outcrops. Soils stony, deep to moderately deep, red and brown cracking clays, or rarely desert loams or on limestones predominantly shallow, red, calcareous loams and earths with limestone fragments in profile and on surface. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 5.9.1a: A variety of low shrub species occur together to form an open shrubland. Senna artemisioides subsp. helmsii, Senna artemisioides subsp. oligophylla, Senna glutinosa subsp. pruinosa, Eremophila freelingii and Dodonaea microzyga usually dominate the low shrub layer. Other frequent shrubs include Eremophila tetraptera, Acacia tetragonophylla and Scaevola spinescens. On Tertiary limestones in the far SW corner Maireana aphylla may be dominant. Sparsely scattered Acacia cambagei/georginae or Corymbia terminalis may occur as emergent trees. The sparse ground layer is dominated by short grasses and forbs including Aristida spp., Enneapogon avenaceus, Euphorbia australis, Anemocarpa podolepidium, Lawrencia glomerata, Digitaria brownii and Enneapogon polyphyllus, Abutilon fraseri, Ptilotus spp. and Sclerolaena spp. Shrub density highest in drainage lines. Occurs on flat to gently undulating tableland tops and footslopes of Tertiary and Cretaceous limestone outcrops. Soils predominantly shallow, red, calcareous loams and earths with limestone fragments in profile and on surface. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24b). 5.9.1b: Senna artemisioides subsp. helmsii and/or Senna artemisioides subsp. oligophylla and/or Senna glutinosa subsp. pruinosa +/- Eremophila spp. +/- Acacia spp. open shrubland. The ground layer is a seasonally variable sparse to open-herbland commonly with Astrebla spp. Dactyloctenium radulans, Brachyachne convergens, Iseilema spp., Atriplex spp. and Sclerolaena spp. Occurs on flat to gently undulating clay plains with slopes usually less than 3% (sometimes up to 5%). Soils stony, deep to moderately deep, red and brown cracking clays, or rarely desert loams. Occurs on mantled pediments and fresh Cretaceous sediments. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24b). 5.9.1x1: Maireana aphylla +/- Acacia victoriae +/- Senna spp. open shrubland. The sparse ground layer varies depending on seasonal conditions and is usually dominated by short grasses and forbs including Aristida contorta +/- Oxychloris scariosa +/- Enneapogon avenaceus +/- Sporobolus actinocladus. Ephemeral forbs may predominate after winter rain. Local shallow deposits of windblown sand support ephemeral forbs such as Calotis plumulifera, Gnephosis eriocarpa, Rhodanthe moschata and Polycalymma stuartii. Occurs on level to gently undulating superficial Cainozoic clay deposits overlying Cretaceous sediments. Soils shallow to moderately deep, stony red clays or desert loams. Weak gilgai development occurs. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24b). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 34 (53, 54); Wilson and Purdie (1990a), R3 (29), R5 (34) |
| Protected areas | Diamantina NP, Pullen Pullen SWR |
| Special values | 5.9.1: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Eremophila tetraptera. 5.9.1a: Habitat for threatened plant species including Eremophila tetraptera. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Various (storm season / 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). ISSUES: The presence of a mixture of fire-tolerant resprouters (Senna artemisioides and Acacia tetragonophylla) and fire-sensitive seeders (e.g., Acacia georginae and Dodonaea microzyga) suggest low - moderate intensity fire could be used to protect the fire-sensitive species where necessary while retaining the integrity of the shrub layer. There is rarely enough fuel load to burn in any case. |
| Comments | 5.9.1x1: Created to differentiate Cainozoic residual and colluvial clays (Landzone 4) from in situ clays (Landzone 9). These Cainozoic clays have a weak potassic signature indicating either leaching of potassium during deep weathering or mixing with leached material during transport, as opposed to fresh Cretaceous clays which retain a strong Potassic signature. South Western Corner, Sturt Stony Desert. |
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.
