Regional ecosystem details for 7.12.56
| Regional ecosystem | 7.12.56 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Contains Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 1 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 2000 ha; Remnant 2021 2000 ha |
| Short description | Corymbia tessellaris, C. clarksoniana grassy woodland, open woodland and grassland on shallow soils on granite on the Palm Islands |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Corymbia tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash), C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) grassy woodland, open woodland and grassland. Shallow soils on granite, on the Palm Islands. Contains Palustrine. (BVG1M: 9c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 7.12.56a: Corymbia tessellaris and C. clarksoniana grassy woodland to low woodland, open woodland and sparse woodland. Shallow soils on granite, on the Palm Islands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9c). 7.12.56b: Themeda triandra and Imperata cylindrica tussock grassland on steep granite hill slopes of coastal islands, probably created from recent severe burning. Steep hillslopes of coastal islands with Themeda triandra and Imperata cylindrica. Probably derived from 7.12.56a as a result of recent severe burning. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32b). 7.12.56c: Melaleuca dealbata +/- M. leucadendra woodland to tall woodland and open forest. Coastal islands on granite slopes. Palustrine. (BVG1M: 22b). |
| Supplementary description | Stanton and Stanton (2005), G232, G239, G105 |
| Protected areas | Orpheus Island NP |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Cool, dry season (June-Sep). b: Early season burns (April-June). Later burns during storm season will reduce shrub invasion. c: Early to mid-dry season in normal season (March-May). Early to late-season in wet year (March-Sep). INTENSITY: Low to moderate. b: Low, with occasional moderate. INTERVAL: 2-5 years. b: 2-3 years. c: 3-10 years. 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: Mosaic burn at a range of frequencies to create mosaic of post-fire responses. c: 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. 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: Fire regime will depend on whether this is to be maintained as grassland or returned to moist open forest state. Absence of fire can lead to a transition to shrubland. Moderate intensity fire will reduce this change and assist with weeds. c: 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. |
| Comments | 7.12.56: Possibly threatened by excessive burning (which may change this regional ecosystem to a grassland). Restricted to the Palm Islands. 7.12.56b: Probably created from recent severe 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.
