Regional ecosystem details for 6.3.18
| Regional ecosystem | 6.3.18 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 6, 3, 2, 11, 8, 4, 5, (10), (7), (1), (4.4), (9), (5.6), (11.29), (5.5), (5.9), (11.24), (11.26), (5.8) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 333000 ha; Remnant 2021 214000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus populnea +/- Acacia aneura woodland on alluvial plains of minor watercourses |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus populnea woodland. Other canopy species may include E. melanophloia and E. coolabah. A secondary tree layer commonly occurs, typically dominated by Acacia aneura. A shrub layer commonly occurs, including Eremophila spp. and Geijera parviflora. The ground layer is perennial tussock grasses, including Bothriochloa spp., Heteropogon contortus, Themeda triandra and Eragrostis spp. Forbs may be seasonally abundant. Occurs on alluvial plains of minor watercourses, predominantly in the east and north of the bioregion. Red sandy loam to clay loam soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 6.3.18a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 6.3.18. Eucalyptus populnea with occasional Acacia cambagei form a woodland to open woodland canopy (9-11m). There is generally an Eremophila mitchellii dominated tall shrub layer (2-4m) with scattered Pimelea microcephala low shrubs. The ground layer is usually sparse and dominated by the perennial grass Enteropogon acicularis while Aristida calycina, A. ramosa, Chloris ventricosa, Bothriochloa decipiens, Chloris pectinata, Oxychloris scariosa, Digitaria divaricatissima var. divaricatissima and Sporobolus caroli are frequent and/or locally abundant. Forbs are generally infrequent but may be seasonally abundant. Occurs on alluvial plains of minor watercourses, predominantly in the east and north of the bioregion. Red sandy loam to clay loam soils. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17a). 6.3.18x2: Acacia aneura and Corymbia terminalis woodland, occasionally with Eucalyptus populnea. A shrub layer may occur, including A. aneura and A. tetragonophylla. The ground layer is tussock grasses and forbs and seasonally variable. Occurs on alluvial plains of minor watercourses in the west of the bioregion. Red sands and sandy loams. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 23a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1984), 23c; Mills and Lee (1990), E2, E3, E4 (LU 26, 27, 28) |
| Protected areas | Currawinya NP, Welford NP, Thrushton NP, Mariala NP, Narkoola NP, Culgoa Floodplain NP, Tregole NP |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late wet/dry season when there is good soil moisture. Early storm season or after good spring rains. INTENSITY: Moderate to high. INTERVAL: 6-10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 6. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Burn less than 10-30% in any year. Burn surrounding vegetation under conditions of good soil moisture and when plants are actively growing throughout the year so that wildfires will be very limited in extent. Fire exclusion not necessary. ISSUES: Best protection from wildfires is probably the creation of a multi-aged mosaic in surrounding vegetation and perimeter burning. Planned burns have traditionally been carried out in the winter dry season; further research required. |
| Comments | 6.3.18: This regional ecosystem encompasses areas that are known locally as 'box flats'. Vegetation community 6.3.18a has been amalgamated into this regional ecosystem. This regional ecosystem has been extensively cleared and or thinned throughout its range. |
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.
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.
