Regional ecosystem details for 6.3.5
| Regional ecosystem | 6.3.5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 8, 10, 5, 7, 5.9, (9), (6), (11), (4.4), (5.6), (5.5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 299000 ha; Remnant 2021 285000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus ochrophloia +/- Acacia cambagei +/- E. coolabah woodland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus ochrophloia woodland. A secondary tree layer commonly occurs, including Acacia cambagei and E. coolabah. The ground layer is seasonally variable, composed of perennial grasses and ephemeral herbs. Common species include Eragrostis setifolia, Astrebla elymoides, and A. lappacea while Dichanthium sericeum, Iseilema membranaceum, Brachyachne convergens, Dactyloctenium radulans, Eriochloa pseudoacrotricha, Paspalidium jubiflorum and Panicum laevinode may be seasonally abundant. A variety of forbs may be seasonally abundant. Occurs on alluvial plains or in shallow linear depressions on alluvium. Soils are usually deep to very deep, medium to heavy textured, grey or brown alluvial cracking clays, and occasionally on associated texture contrast soils. Surfaces are usually self-mulching. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 6.3.5a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 6.3.5. Eucalyptus ochrophloia open forest to woodland (10-12 m high). Scattered Acacia cambagei trees are also a common canopy component. There is usually a sparse to open low tree layer dominated by Eremophila bignoniiflora, E. polyclada, E. maculata and Duma florulenta. The ground layer is sparse where the tree density is high becoming open where the tree density is lower and dominated by perennial grasses Eragrostis setifolia, Astrebla squarrosa and Paspalidium jubiflorum. Annual grasses and forbs may become seasonally abundant in very open areas. Occurs on seasonally flooded depressions on alluvial plains. Associated soils are very deep, alkaline, grey cracking clays of medium texture. Gilgai micro-relief up to 1 m deep and 8 m in diameter is typical. Surfaces have firm, silty crusts and a thin self-mulching layer. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 16c). |
| Supplementary description | Dawson (1974), W2 (LU 41); Boyland (1984), 7a; Neldner (1984), 21a (29), 21b (28); Mills and Lee (1990), W2 (LU 19), W3 (LU 5) |
| Protected areas | Currawinya NP, Idalia NP, Hell Hole Gorge NP, Lake Bindegolly NP, Binya NP |
| Special values | 6.3.5: High fauna diversity, particularly bird species. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Manage surrounding country. ISSUES: This community does not need fire. Flood events drive recruitment. Hollow trees are critical habitat. High intensity and extensive fires will degrade vegetation structure and destroy animal habitats. Restrict extent and intensity of fires. |
| Comments | 6.3.5: Highly valued for honey production. Previously partly mapped as 6.3.5a. Mainly associated with the floodplains of the Warrego, Paroo, and Bulloo Rivers. Clearing is occurring in some areas. Naturalised species associated with this regional ecosystem include *Malvastrum americanum and *Portulaca oleracea. |
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.
