Regional ecosystem details for 6.7.5
Regional ecosystem | 6.7.5 |
---|---|
Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
Biodiversity status | Of concern |
Subregion | 4, 4.4, (11.26), (6), (2), (5) |
Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 84000 ha; Remnant 2021 35000 ha |
Short description | Eucalyptus thozetiana and/or E. cambageana +/-Acacia harpophylla woodland on lateritic scarps and hills |
Structure code | Woodland |
Description | Eucalyptus thozetiana and/or E. cambageana woodland. A secondary tree layer may occur, dominated by Acacia harpophylla. Scattered E. populnea, Atalaya hemiglauca and Flindersia maculosa may occur. A shrub layer may occur, including Geijera parviflora, Alectryon oleifolius, Capparis loranthifolia and Eremophila spp. and Carissa ovata. The ground layer is tussock grasses, including Enteropogon acicularis, Paspalidium spp., Eragrostis lacunaria, Sporobolus actinocladus and S. caroli.. A variety of forbs may occur. Occurs on undulating to sloping plains on upper slopes and crests of ridges, tops of low hills and in scarp retreat zones of dissected lateritic plateaus. Associated soils are shallow, gravelly, yellowish-red lithosols, commonly with surface gravel. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 25a). |
Supplementary description | Turner (1978), B4 (LU 29); Mills and Lee (1990), R1 (LU 57); Neldner (1984), 27a, b |
Special values | 6.7.5: Habitat for threatened plant species Cadellia pentastylis. |
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 | 6.7.5: This regional ecosystem was combined with 6.7.4 described in Sattler and Williams (1999) following re-assessment. Western extent of ecosystem that extends into the Brigalow Belt bioregion (11.7.1). The lower slopes of this regional ecosystem, which act as natural saline discharge areas, have been extensively cleared while many of the remaining areas are on steeper slopes and scarps. Gully and sheet erosion common (Turner, 1978). |
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.