Regional ecosystem details for 6.3.15
| Regional ecosystem | 6.3.15 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 5, (6), (3), (2), (8) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 322000 ha; Remnant 2021 318000 ha |
| Short description | Astrebla lappacea, A. pectinata +/- A. elymoides tussock grassland on alluvial plains of major watercourses |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Astrebla lappacea and A. elymoides tussock grassland, occasionally with A. pectinata. Associated species include Dichanthium sericeum, Panicum decompositum and Digitaria divaricatissima. Annual grasses and forbs include Iseilema membranaceum, I. vaginiflorum, Brachyscome spp., Goodenia fascicularis, Ipomoea lonchophylla and Rhynchosia minima. Isolated emergent shrubs occur in some areas. Occurs on alluvial plains of major watercourses. Very deep reddish-brown to yellow-brown silty clay soils. .. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 30a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1984), 66; Mills and Lee (1990), A1 (LU 4) |
| Protected areas | Binya NP, Culgoa Floodplain NP |
| Special values | 6.3.15: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: 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 | 6.3.15: Mainly occurs on floodplains of the Warrego and Ward Rivers. Generally in good condition (Mills and Lee, 1990, 206).Naturalised species associated with this regional ecosystem include *Malvastrum americanum and *Hibiscus trionum. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13 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.
