Regional ecosystem details for 5.9.5
| Regional ecosystem | 5.9.5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 4, (5), (11), (1), (3), (10), (6), (4.1), (4.2), (4.5), (4.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 871000 ha; Remnant 2021 870000 ha |
| Short description | Atriplex spp. and/or Sclerolaena spp. and/or Salsola australis open herbland on Cretaceous sediments |
| Structure code | Open Herbland |
| Description | Atriplex spp., Salsola australis and Sclerolaena spp. usually predominate and form an open herbland, with occasional scattered Astrebla spp. Grasses such as Dactyloctenium radulans and Sporobolus actinocladus may predominate depending on seasonal conditions and management. Forbs such as Osteocarpum acropterum, Maireana spp., *Portulaca oleracea and Neobassia proceriflora are common. Occurs on gently undulating to convex plains in south. Soils deep, stony, red and brown clays, often weak gilgai micro relief. Variable cover of silcrete gravel, stone and boulders occurs on soil surface. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 31b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 5.9.5x1: Variable herbland with Atriplex spongiosa, Sclerolaena lanicuspis and Sclerolaena glabra being common dominants. Atriplex fissivalvis, Rhodanthe floribunda, Maireana ciliata and Osteocarpum dipterocarpum are often locally abundant, while Gnephosis arachnoidea and Salsola australis occur frequently. Tripogon loliiformis and Sporobolus actinocladus become codominant or dominant in areas where the stone pavement is less dense. Astrebla pectinata and ephemeral forbs become dominant where the stone pavement is absent and in gilgai depressions. Local deposits of windblown sand support ephemeral forbs such as Calotis plumulifera, Gnephosis eriocarpa, Rhodanthe moschata and Polycalymma stuartii. Trees and shrubs are usually absent. Floristic composition varies with seasonal conditions, density of stone pavement and gilgai micro relief. Occurs on mantled pediments with dense silcrete cover and gilgai micro relief present. Soils deep to moderately deep, desert loams with very dense silcrete, or occasionally ironstone, surface pavement. Red and brown cracking clays occur in gilgai. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 31b). 5.9.5x2: Atriplex spongiosa +/- Sclerolaena lanicuspis +/- Sclerolaena glabra sparse to open herbland. Atriplex fissivalvis, Rhodanthe floribunda, Maireana ciliata and Osteocarpum dipterocarpum are locally abundant, while Gnephosis arachnoidea and Salsola australis occur frequently. Tripogon loliiformis and Sporobolus actinocladus become codominant or dominant in areas where the stone pavement is less dense. Ephemeral forbs become dominant where the stone pavement is absent and in gilgai depressions. Local deposits of windblown sand support ephemeral forbs such as Calotis plumulifera, Gnephosis eriocarpa, Rhodanthe moschata and Polycalymma stuartii. Occasional scattered Senna phyllodinea and Senna spp. in drainage depressions. Floristic composition varies with seasonal conditions, density of stone pavement and gilgai micro relief. Occurs on flat to gently undulating plains and on benched areas where gilgai micro relief present where Cainozoic residual/colluvial/alluvial deposits overly deeply weathered Cretaceous sediments. Soils deep to moderately deep, desert loams beneath a very dense silcrete, (or occasionally ironstone) gravel forming a desert pavement. Red and brown cracking clays occur in gilgai. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 31b). |
| Supplementary description | Wilson and Purdie (1990a), F1 (46), F2 (48); Mills and Boyland (1979) F3 (62), F8 (68); Neldner (1991), 47c; Boyland (1984), 27 |
| Protected areas | Diamantina NP, Pullen Pullen SWR, Lark Quarry CP |
| Special values | 5.9.5: Habitat for threatened fauna species including kowari Dasyuroides byrnei. 5.9.5x1: Habitat for threatened fauna species including kowari Dasyuroides byrnei. 5.9.5x2: Habitat for threatened fauna species including kowari Dasyuroides byrnei. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Exclude fire. ISSUES: Unlikely to burn due to generally sparse nature. Rarely enough fuel load to burn in any case. |
| Comments | 5.9.5x1: RE 5.7.11 was amalgamated into this RE. Soils subject to sheet and some gully erosion with associated change in floristic composition (Wilson and Purdie 1990b; P2). 5.9.5x2: 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. Soils subject to sheet and some gully erosion with associated change in floristic composition (Wilson and Purdie 1990b; P2). |
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.
