Regional ecosystem details for 7.11.41
| Regional ecosystem | 7.11.41 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 8 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 700 ha; Remnant 2021 500 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca viridiflora, M. monantha, Acacia flavescens and Grevillea spp. Shrubland with emergent Corymbia clarksoniana, or open woodland of Eucalyptus drepanophylla with M. monantha or Callitris intratropica, on metamorphics |
| Structure code | Shrubland |
| Description | Melaleuca viridiflora (broad leaf tea tree), M. monantha, Acacia flavescens (yellow wattle), and Grevillea spp. shrubland, with emergent Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood), or open woodland of Eucalyptus drepanophylla (ironbark) with M. monantha or Callitris intratropica. Metamorphics. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 7.11.41a: Melaleuca viridiflora, M. monantha, Acacia flavescens, Grevillea glauca, G. mcgillivrayi, Petalostigma pubescens, Corymbia clarksoniana, C. dallachiana, Eucalyptus crebra, E. portuensis, Allocasuarina littoralis, Hakea benthamii and Xanthorrhoea johnsonii shrubland to low woodland. Metamorphics. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21a). 7.11.41b: Eucalyptus drepanophylla and Melaleuca monantha low woodland. Soils of impeded drainage on rocky metamorphic hillslopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). 7.11.41c: Eucalyptus drepanophylla open woodland with a dense sub-canopy of Callitris intratropica. Western margins on metamorphics. Dry rainfall zone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), M205, M127, M280 |
| Protected areas | Dinden West FR, Kuranda West FR, Kuranda NP |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Early to mid-dry season in normal season (March-May) and in drier areas (e.g., Mt Molloy region) where there is likelihood of fire continuing into dry period leaving ground exposed for long duration. Early to late-season in wet year (March-Sep). c: April-May or in some years through until Sep. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. c: Low to occasional moderate. INTERVAL: 3-10 years. c: 6-10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 3. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Patch burn (<30% of area) early in the dry season to limit the extent and intensity of wildfires. Fires may, depending on the conditions and type of vegetation, burn areas larger than just the melaleuca ecosystem. Ensure secure boundaries from non fire-regime adapted ecosystems. Use topography to restrict spread of fire. Consider the needs of melaleuca ecosystems based on understorey (i.e., heath dominated, sedge dominated or mixed grass/shrub) when planning burns. High soil moisture (or presence of water on the ground) is required, as avoidance of peat-type fires must be maintained. c: Mosaic burn 25-70% of the target area. Across the landscape burn different areas at different intervals to add diversity. ISSUES: Restrict extent and intensity of fires. High intensity and extensive fires degrade vegetation structure and destroy animal habitats. Melaleuca forests are fire-adapted, but too high an intensity or frequent fire will slow or prevent regeneration and lead to lower species richness (since these communities contain numerous obligate seed regenerating species that require sufficient fire intervals to produce seed). High intensity fires may kill trees and lead to whipstick regeneration. Too frequent fire may result in a net loss of nutrients over time from an already nutrient poor system. Fire associations are significantly influenced by understorey composition. Restrict extent and intensity of fires. High intensity burns may threaten peat layer. Weeds (such as high biomass grasses; grader and thatch grasses) may introduce fires that are too high intensity. c: Occasional moderate fire can assist management of overabundant tree recruitment. Too frequent fire can eliminate shrubs which require several years before they set seed. Callitris intratropica is fire sensitive, but can tolerate fires of low intensity. |
| Comments | 7.11.41: Threatened by residential development. From Davies Creek area northwards towards Mount Molloy (western edge of bioregion). |
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.
