Regional ecosystem details for 8.11.1
| Regional ecosystem | 8.11.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 2, (3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 10000 ha; Remnant 2021 5000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus drepanophylla +/- E. platyphylla woodland on hills formed from metamorphosed sediments |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus drepanophylla woodland to open forest (15-28m tall). Eucalyptus platyphylla is sometimes an associated to codominant species in the canopy, though E. drepanophylla may sometimes be the only species present, especially along ridgelines. Corymbia clarksoniana is a frequent associated species in the canopy, and Lophostemon suaveolens is occasionally present. There is often a very sparse (to isolated trees) secondary tree layer with species such as E. platyphylla, Planchonia careya, Albizia procera and Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora. A very sparse shrub layer may be present, and species may include Cycas media subsp. media, Planchonia careya and Ficus opposita. The ground layer is mid-dense to sparse and commonly includes Mnesithea rottboellioides, Imperata cylindrica, Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum, Themeda triandra, Chrysopogon fallax, Heteropogon triticeus and Panicum effusum. Slopes, ridges and crests on undulating low hills to rolling hills of foothills. Geologies mapped include Pc/s (Carmila beds/s), Pla (Carmila Beds), Ple (Calen Coal Measures), Pc/v (Carmila beds/v) and Pc/sh (Carmila beds/sh). Early Permian siltstone, mudstone, sandstone, conglomerate, carbonaceous shale, coal and rhyolitic to dacitic volcaniclastic rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9b). |
| Protected areas | Mount Kinchant CP, Eungella NP, Mount Ossa NP |
| Special values | 8.11.1: Habitat for the endangered Northern Quoll (Pollock, 1995). Also habitat for Black-chinned Honeyeater and Rufous Owl. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Winter with occasional storm burns. INTENSITY: Moderate. INTERVAL: 4 - 6 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 4. INTERVAL_MAX: 6. STRATEGY: Aim to burn no more than 50 % of any given area. ISSUES: There is some evidence to suggest that extensive fires expose northern quolls to increased predation. Fire may also be deleterious during the breeding season (app June to November). This period also coincides with the expected peak flowering season of Eucalyptus drepanophylla which is used as a dietary resource by the black-chinned honey-eater. If patchy fires cannot be achieved in a given area during this time, storm burning is strongly recommended. |
| Comments | 8.11.1: Distinguished from 8.11.4 (which has the same spp. dominance) by its association with moderate to steep hills (slope > 10%) rather than gently undulating areas. Found in subregion 2, between the Proserpine River and Mount Alice (15km north west of Sarina). It has been reduced to around 56% of its former range and is now in much smaller, scattered patches, over approximately the same extent. Generally fairly average to poor due to weed invasion exacerbated by cattle and horse grazing. Many areas are heavily invaded by weeds, particularly *Megathyrsus maximus and *Lantana camara. Other weed species include *Crotalaria pallida, *Triumfetta rhomboidea, *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida, *Stylosanthes spp., *Ageratum conyzoides subsp. conyzoides, *Crotalaria goreensis, *Emilia sonchifolia, *Hyparrhenia rufa, *Melinis minutiflora, *Melinis repens, *Passiflora foetida and *Sida cordifolia. Some areas have suffered topsoil loss. |
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.
