Regional ecosystem details for 6.3.14
| Regional ecosystem | 6.3.14 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 5, 1, 8, 9, (6), (10), (4.4), (3), (4), (2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 120000 ha; Remnant 2021 116000 ha |
| Short description | Astrebla spp. +/- Dichanthium sericeum grassland on alluvial plains of major watercourses |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Astrebla spp. (predominantly Astrebla elymoides and A. lappacea) tussock grassland, commonly with Dichanthium sericeum and A. squarrosa. Associated species include Aristida leptopoda, Cyperus bifax, Dactyloctenium radulans, Eriochloa pseudoacrotricha, Iseilema vaginiflorum and Panicum decompositum. A variety of forbs may occur, including Brachyscome spp., Plantago drummondii and Rhynchosia minima. Emergent trees and shrubs may occur, including Eucalyptus coolabah and Acacia cambagei. Occurs on alluvial plains of major watercourses. Associated soils are very deep, grey-brown heavy cracking clays, with widely cracking self-mulching surfaces. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30a). |
| Supplementary description | Galloway et al. (1974), LU 69; Neldner (1984), 70a, 70d; Mills and Lee (1990), A2 (LU 16) |
| Protected areas | Binya NP, Idalia NP, Hell Hole Gorge NP, Narkoola NP |
| Special values | 6.3.14: Habitat for threatened plant species including Picris barbarorum. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not burn deliberately. The grasses and forbs of Astrebla spp. dominated communities do not require fire for regeneration. Protection relies on management of fire in the surrounding country to prevent running fires entering Astrebla spp. communities, particularly at times of low soil moisture. ISSUES: Fire can sometimes be used as a tool to control woody thickening and woody weeds in grasslands. Moderate intensity fire is required for a successful kill of the woody species but good moisture levels are required to ensure recovery of the ground layer. Large scale germination of woody species is most likely to occur in high rainfall years. The best management opportunity is usually after storms at the end of the subsequent dry season, although exclusion of grazing pressure may still be required to ensure sufficient fuel loads. |
| Comments | 6.3.14: Mainly occurs on floodplains of the Warrego River (subregion 5) with lesser areas on the alluvial plains in other parts of the bioregion. Generally in good condition (Mills and Lee, 1990). The presence of Dichanthium sericeum may vary with seasonal rainfall. Naturalised species associated with this regional ecosystem include *Vachellia farnesiana and *Hibiscus trionum. |
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.
