Regional ecosystem details for 7.12.17
| Regional ecosystem | 7.12.17 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 5, 6, (1), (9), (7), (8) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 6000 ha; Remnant 2021 6000 ha |
| Short description | Corymbia torelliana open forest usually with a well-developed simple notophyll vine forest element on granites and rhyolites |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Corymbia torelliana (cadaghi) open forest usually with a well-developed simple notophyll vine forest element. Granites and rhyolites. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9d). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), G13b, CG13b, R13b; Tracey and Webb (1975), 13b |
| Protected areas | Girringun NP, Kirrama NP, Mount Windsor NP, Dinden NP, Daintree NP (CYPAL), Ngalba-bulal NP (CYPAL), Paluma Range NP, Kuranda NP, Kuranda West FR, Bare Hill CP |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Early (as soon as fire will carry after rain), then late dry season (storm burns, Nov-Dec). INTENSITY: Moderate to high. INTERVAL: 6-10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 6. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Burn progressively in a mosaic of <30% of area. 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. If burning these ecosystems using high intensity fire then protect adjacent communities using secure perimeter burns. ISSUES: Low intensity fires at intervals > 5 years should be avoided, as these may promote rainforest development that could affect sclerophyll regeneration. Low intensity fires at intervals < 5 years may not spread well owing to poor fuel accumulation and produce inadequate fire mosaics. Infrequent high intensity fires will remove rainforest understorey and allow eucalypt germination, but high intensity fires may be difficult to manage. Wildfires occurring under hot conditions within this vegetation type are beneficial for its regeneration, but would need containment so that they do not escape into surrounding drier forests. Fire management that reduces the complexity of the understorey by removing plant species, structural layering and fallen woody debris will reduce overall diversity of plants and animals. |
| Comments | 7.12.17: There are two variants of this regional ecosystem, depending upon its association with rainforest regional ecosystems on the western and drier fringes at lower altitudes and its association with wetter rainforest regional ecosystems at higher altitudes. It is almost always associated with a rainforest sub-canopy. Generally restricted to southern end of bioregion, small patches in Monkhouse Timber Reserve and Daintree N.P. Most of the rainforest species present are fast-growing secondary species as a result of disturbance, mainly fire. This transitional rainforest ecosystem is of recent development (mostly within the last 30 years). |
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.
