Regional ecosystem details for 6.5.15
| Regional ecosystem | 6.5.15 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 7, 11, 9, (8), (5), (5.8), (10), (5.5), (4.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 475000 ha; Remnant 2021 447000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia aneura, Eucalyptus populnea +/- Eremophila spp. low woodland on sand sheets in the west |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Acacia aneura low woodland, commonly with Eucalyptus populnea. Emergent Corymbia terminalis and Grevillea striata may occur. A shrub layer may occur, including Eremophila spp. or Senna spp. The ground layer is variable and composed of grasses and forbs. Occurs on the flat to undulating sand sheets, often overlying Quaternary clay plains in the west of the bioregion. Soils are shallow to moderately deep, sandy red earths. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 23a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 6.5.15a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 6.5.15. Acacia aneura predominates usually with scattered Eucalyptus populnea, Grevillea striata and other tree species occurring as emergents. Low shrubs are usually abundant with Senna spp. and Eremophila bowmanii forming a well-defined low shrubby layer in places. The ground layer is variable and composed of grasses and forbs. Occurs on gently undulating to flat plains (slopes <2%) formed from Quaternary sandsheets overlying upland land surfaces. Associated soils are deep acid to neutral, sandy red earths. Textures range from sandy loams and clay loams to sandy clays. Most surfaces are hard setting. Ironstone shot occurs on the surfaces and throughout the profile in limited areas. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 23a). 6.5.15b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 6.5.15. Acacia aneura low woodland with scattered trees, particularly Eucalyptus populnea emerging in places. Other emergent trees include Grevillea striata, Acacia excelsa and Hakea leucoptera. A low shrubby layer is often well developed with Eremophila gilesii subsp. Gilesii and Senna spp. Prevalent in places. Grasses and forbs form a variable ground layer with Eragrostis eriopoda dominating in many places. Occurs on gently undulating to flat plains formed from Quaternary sandplains overlying Quaternary clayplains. Associated soils are shallow to moderately deep, sandy red earths, slightly acid to neutral at the surface and generally alkaline at depth. An impermeable hardpan is common. Iron stone gravel is present in the lower parts of the profile. Surface soil is hard setting when dry by loose when moist. Textures range from sandy-loam to sandy-clay-loam at the surface to sandy-clay-loam to sandy-clay at depth. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 23a). |
| Supplementary description | Boyland (1984), 11-5, 12a; Neldner (1984), 53 and 52 (in part) |
| Protected areas | Currawinya NP, Welford NP |
| Special values | 6.5.15: Potential habitat for threatened plant species including Acacia ammophila. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Various (wet season or winter). INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Aim to exclude fire by fuel reduction in adjacent vegetation communities where possible. Undertake partial burns when necessary to reduce fuel loads and protect against severe wildfire. Burn with high soil moisture (i.e., after rain/storms) or in winter. ISSUES: Acacia aneura may be killed by high intensity fire. There is rarely enough fuel load to burn in these ecosystems. |
| Comments | 6.5.15: Highly modified structural and floristic composition. Vegetation communities 6.5.15a and 6.5.15b have been amalgamated into this regional ecosystem. |
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.
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.
