Regional ecosystem details for 7.12.22
| Regional ecosystem | 7.12.22 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 6, 5, 9, 4, 7, (9.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 40000 ha; Remnant 2021 39000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus resinifera +/- E. portuensis +/- Syncarpia glomulifera tall open forest to tall woodland (or vine forest with these species as emergents) of granite and rhyolite uplands and highlands |
| Structure code | Tall Open Forest |
| Description | Eucalyptus resinifera (red mahogany) +/- Eucalyptus portuensis (white mahogany) +/- Syncarpia glomulifera (turpentine) tall open forest to tall woodland (or vine forest with these species as emergents). Granite and rhyolite uplands and highlands, of the moist to wet rainfall zones. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 7.12.22a: Eucalyptus resinifera, Eucalyptus acmenoides, Corymbia intermedia, Eucalyptus cloeziana, Syncarpia glomulifera tall open forest to tall woodland with Allocasuarina torulosa and Callitris macleayana. Uplands and highlands of the moist rainfall zone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). 7.12.22b: Eucalyptus resinifera, Eucalyptus acmenoides, Corymbia intermedia, Eucalyptus cloeziana, Syncarpia glomulifera tall open forest to tall woodland with Allocasuarina torulosa and Callitris macleayana, and with a very well-developed vine forest understorey. Uplands and highlands of the moist rainfall zone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). 7.12.22c: Eucalyptus resinifera, E. acmenoides, Corymbia intermedia, E. cloeziana, Syncarpia glomulifera tall open forest to tall woodland with Allocasuarina torulosa and Callitris macleayana. Uplands and highlands on laterite, of the moist rainfall zone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). 7.12.22d: Syncarpia glomulifera, Eucalyptus resinifera, and Corymbia intermedia open forest to tall open forest, often with Callitris macleayana, and Allocasuarina torulosa. Uplands of the wet rainfall zone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). 7.12.22e: Syncarpia glomulifera, Eucalyptus resinifera, and Corymbia intermedia open forest to tall open forest, often with Callitris macleayana, and Allocasuarina torulosa, and with a very well-developed vine forest understorey. Uplands of the wet rainfall zone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8a). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), A14b, A14bv, G14b, G14bv, G70, G70v, R14b, R14bv, R70, R70v, L14b; Tracey and Webb (1975), 14b |
| Protected areas | Paluma Range NP, Koombooloomba NP, Mount Windsor NP, Baldy Mountain FR, Daintree NP (CYPAL), Mount Lewis NP, Herberton Range NP, Kirrama NP, Tully Falls NP, Dinden NP, Girringun NP, Tumoulin NP, Danbulla NP, Ravenshoe FR 1, Herberton Range CP, Wooroonoora |
| Special values | 7.12.22: Important arboreal mammal habitat for species including the yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis). Habitat for the tropical bettong (Bettongia tropica). Habitat for plant species with restricted distribution including Bertya polystigma, Pityrodia salviifolia, Pomaderris argyrophylla, Dodonaea uncinata, Phebalium longifolium, and Persoonia tropica. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: 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 with occasional high to control overabundance of tree recruitment in mid-stratum. INTERVAL: 3-5 years for grassy understorey. 6-10 years for shrubby understorey. INTERVAL_MIN: 3. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: 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: 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). |
| Comments | 7.12.22: Grazing reduces fuel loads lowering intensity and frequency of fires. Past timber harvesting has influenced burning patterns. This regional ecosystem occurs in wetter zones and at higher altitudes than other Eucalyptus resinifera dominated ecosystems (7.12.51 and 7.12.52). It is distinguished from these by its tall stature, and lack of species such as Corymbia leptoloma, C. abergiana and Eucalyptus reducta. Occurs to the west of, adjacent to, and overlapping with RE 7.12.21 in drier and more fire-prone situations. Distributed patchily along the entire length of the bioregion. The ecological integrity of much of this regional ecosystem has been compromised by logging activities and alterations to regional fire regimes. In many places this ecosystem is in transition to rainforest, under which the regeneration of Eucalyptus resinifera cannot take place. 7.12.22b: Well-developed vine forest understorey is probably a condition state caused by infrequent burning. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13 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.
