Regional ecosystem details for 6.5.16
| Regional ecosystem | 6.5.16 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 10, 8, (9), (5.6), (5.5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 381000 ha; Remnant 2021 355000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia aneura groved with Corymbia terminalis or C. blakei tall open shrubland on Quaternary sediments |
| Structure code | Tall Open Shrubland |
| Description | Acacia aneura tall open shrubland in groves. The intergrove supports a variable ground cover of grasses and with scattered low shrubs. Groved areas support isolated trees of Eucalyptus populnea, C. terminalis and Grevillea striata. A low shrub layer is not formed, but scattered low shrubs occur. The ground layer is open, variable and composed of grasses and forbs. The depressions and slump holes support Marsilea spp. and sedges. Eucalyptus populnea tends to replace C. terminalis in the more easterly occurrences of this association. Occurs on flat plains of superficial Quaternary deposits with very gentle slopes of < 1%. It occurs on a complex of soils. Associated soils: Grove: Shallow to moderately deep, red earths with slightly neutral surfaces. Textures are gradational with sandy loam to sandy clay loams over lying light to medium clays. Slump holes are common. Surfaces are hard setting and are occasionally covered with accumulations of organic matter. Intergrove area: Shallow red earths with slightly acid surfaces. Textures are gradational with loam to sandy clay loam surfaces grading into sandy clay loams to medium clays. Surfaces are hard setting, occasionally with scattered gravel. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 23a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 6.5.16a: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 6.7.12. Acacia aneura predominates forming distinct groves with scattered Corymbia blakei emergents. The intergrove supports isolated tall and low shrubs with grasses forming a variable ground cover. Groved areas support isolated Clerodendrum floribundum and Corymbia terminalis low trees and often a well-defined low shrub layer. The ground cover is variable and dominated by grasses or, depending on seasonal conditions, forbs. Occurs on flat to slightly undulating plains on tablelands with low relief (slopes <1%) (Neldner, 1984: 57a; Mills, 1980, H2). The soils are shallow to very shallow, red earths with lithosols with slightly acid soil reaction and clay loam to sandy clay loam textures, overlying weathered rock. Surfaces are hard setting with scattered silcrete stone in intergrove areas. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 23a). |
| Supplementary description | Boyland (1984), 14, 14-t; Neldner (1984), 57a, 57b (108, 110); Mills (1980), M3 (LU 18), H2 (LU 19) |
| Special values | 6.5.16: Habitat for threatened fauna species including Major Mitchell's cockatoo (Cacatua leadbeateri ). |
| 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. |
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.
