Regional ecosystem details for 7.11.31
| Regional ecosystem | 7.11.31 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 7, 9, (8), (4), (5), (9.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 3000 ha; Remnant 2021 3000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus resinifera +/- Eucalyptus portuensis +/- Syncarpia glomulifera open forest to woodland (or vine forest with these species as emergents) on metamorphics |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Eucalyptus resinifera (red mahogany) +/- Eucalyptus portuensis (white mahogany) +/- Syncarpia glomulifera (turpentine) open forest to woodland (or vine forest with these species as emergents). Metamorphics. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 7.11.31a: Syncarpia glomulifera (turpentine), Eucalyptus resinifera (red mahogany), and Corymbia intermedia (pink bloodwood), open forest to tall open forest with Callitris macleayana and Allocasuarina torulosa. Uplands on metamorphics, of the wet rainfall zone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). 7.11.31b: Syncarpia glomulifera (turpentine), Eucalyptus resinifera (red mahogany), and Corymbia intermedia (pink bloodwood), open forest to tall open forest with Callitris macleayana and Allocasuarina torulosa, and with a very well-developed vine forest understorey. Uplands on metamorphics, of the wet rainfall zone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). 7.11.31c: Eucalyptus resinifera (red mahogany), E. portuensis (white mahogany), Corymbia intermedia (pink bloodwood), E. cloeziana, Syncarpia glomulifera (turpentine), tall open forest and tall open woodland with Allocasuarina torulosa and Callitris macleayana. Uplands and highlands on metamorphics, of the moist rainfall zone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). 7.11.31d: Eucalyptus resinifera (red mahogany), E. portuensis (white mahogany), Corymbia intermedia (pink bloodwood), E. cloeziana, Syncarpia glomulifera (turpentine), tall open forest and tall open woodland with Allocasuarina torulosa and Callitris macleayana, and with a very well-developed vine forest understorey. Uplands and highlands on metamorphics, of the moist rainfall zone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). 7.11.31e: Corymbia intermedia (pink bloodwood), Syncarpia glomulifera (turpentine), Eucalyptus resinifera (red mahogany), Eucalyptus granitica woodland and open forest. Sedimentary rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), M70, M70v, M14b, M14bv, S61; Tracey and Webb (1975), 14b |
| Protected areas | Gadgarra NP, Wooroonooran NP, Daintree NP (CYPAL), Dinden NP, Paluma Range NP |
| Special values | 7.11.31: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Parsonsia wildensis. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Cool, dry season (June-Sep). b,c,d: After the wet season when rain is reliably expected and there is good soil moisture. Burning in the dry season (Oct-Dec) will give high intensity fires. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. b,c,d: Low to moderate with occasional high to control overabundance of tree recruitment in mid-stratum. INTERVAL: 2-5 years. b,c,d: 6-10 years for shrubby understorey. INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Mosaic burn < 30%. Begin burning early in the fire season, with progressive patch fires burnt through the year. Stop burning when the network of fires and other breaks is sufficient to impede fire spread later in the year. Storm-burning may be used to add further diversity to the fire mosaic. b,c,d: Aim for a good fire coverage to limit forest transitioning. Do not target moist areas, such as in or near gullies as these will provide a mosaic of denser vegetation and refuge for some plant species. ISSUES: Ignition is most likely during hot, dry season (Oct - Jan). These fires are typically high intensity fires that can be difficult to control. Maintaining a fire mosaic will ensure protection of animal habitats and mitigate against wildfires. b,c,d: High intensity fires can be used to control an over-abundance of mid-storey recruitment; once controlled return to normal fire regime. Follow-up fires may be required to control more advanced tree recruitment (e.g., of rainforest pioneers) and flushes of she-oak, acacia and hopbush. |
| Comments | 7.11.31: The development of a dense rainforest sub- canopy is now widespread. This effectively fire proofs this regional ecosystem, preventing the regeneration of Eucalyptus resinifera, and therefore threatening the existence of this regional ecosystem. Mostly on the eastern and western sides of the Atherton Tablelands, with scattered occurrences further north and an isolated occurrence on the Seaview Range. 7.11.31b: Well-developed vine forest understorey is probably a condition state caused by infrequent burning. |
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.
