Regional ecosystem details for 6.9.4
| Regional ecosystem | 6.9.4 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 8, 10, 9, (11), (4.4), (5.5), (7), (6), (5.6), (5.8) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 396000 ha; Remnant 2021 345000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia cambagei, Senna spp., Sida platycalyx tall open shrubland on undulating mantled pediments and scarp retreat zones |
| Structure code | Tall Open Shrubland |
| Description | Acacia cambagei tall open shrubland. Scattered low trees may be present, occasionally emerging above the canopy. Scattered low shrubs such as Senna spp. and Sida platycalyx frequently occur. The ground layer is variable and composed mainly of forbs, but grasses are also present. Occurs on the pediments and lower slopes of dissected residuals and scarp retreats, and on undulating plains and low hills formed from Cretaceous sediments with slopes of 1 to 3%. Associated soils are very shallow to shallow, stony, red to brown clay-loams to light clays, and occasionally texture contrast to deep to very deep, stony, alkaline, reddish-brown cracking clays with well-developed gilgai. Stone cover is derived from erosion of the Tertiary surface resulting in a superficial cover of Quaternary deposits. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 26a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 6.9.4x40: Acacia cambagei low woodland. A shrub layer may occur, including A. cambagei and Senna spp. The ground layer is variable, including forbs and annual grasses. Occurs on old alluvial clay deposits in the west of the bioregion. Red clays with a shallow cover of lateritic loams and gravel. Gilgai are common. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 26a). 6.9.4x50: Acacia cambagei low woodland to low open woodland. A shrub layer commonly occurs, including A. cambagei, Senna spp. and Acacia spp. The ground layer is variable, including Sclerolaena spp., Trianthema triquetra and annual grasses. Occurs on outwash deposits of eroded lateritic and transported material in the west of the bioregion. Red loams with lateritic gravel throughout the profile. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 26a). |
| Supplementary description | Dawson (1974), G1 (LU 71, 72), G2 (LU 76); Boyland (1984), 15a; Neldner (1984), 58 (120, 121), 44b (117, in north); Mills (1990), G2 (LU 40) |
| Protected areas | Currawinya NP, Welford NP, Idalia NP |
| Special values | 6.9.4: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Eremophila stenophylla. |
| 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: Some Acacias can be fire sensitive (A. shirleyi, A. aneura) and may be killed by high intensity fire. There is rarely enough fuel load to burn in these ecosystems. |
| Comments | 6.9.4: Some clearing has occurred. 6.9.4x40: Previously partly mapped as 6.9.4. Some clearing has occurred. 6.9.4x50: Previously partly mapped as 6.9.4. Some clearing has occurred. |
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.
