Regional ecosystem details for 8.11.9
| Regional ecosystem | 8.11.9 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 4, 5, 11.14 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 1000 ha; Remnant 2021 1000 ha |
| Short description | Themeda triandra and/or Heteropogon contortus tussock grassland or Xanthorrhoea latifolia shrubland with Themeda triandra on exposed rocky headlands on metamorphosed sediments |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Themeda triandra and/or Heteropogon contortus tussock grassland (0.3-1.2m tall), or Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia dwarf shrubland to open heath (0.7- 1.2m tall). Imperata cylindrica is rarely a dominant. Includes occasional areas of dwarf heathland (0.3m tall) dominated by Grevillea banksii, Jacksonia scoparia and Themeda triandra. Associated species may include Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia, Dianella caerulea, Glycine tomentella, Coronidium lanuginosum, Lepidosperma laterale, Evolvulus alsinoides, Aristida holathera var. holathera, Digitaria diffusa, Phyllanthus virgatus, Tephrosia filipes, Lomandra longifolia, Camptacra barbata and Cassytha filiformis. Emergents include Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia, Acacia spp. and Grevillea banksii. Very small clumps of wind sheared rainforest and/or sclerophyllous species may be present, including Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Diospyros geminata, Ficus opposita, Acacia spp., Pandanus spp., Allocasuarina littoralis, Banksia integrifolia subsp. compar, Glochidion lobocarpum and Dodonaea lanceolata. Occurs on slopes, crests and ridges on rolling rises to steep hills of lowlands and foothills (of exposed headlands subject to strong sea-breezes and salt-laden winds) (especially east and south-east facing slopes and peninsulas) on metamorphosed sediments. Geologies mapped include Ccs (Shoalwater Formation), DCt (Townshend Formation) and DCcw (Wandilla Formation). Carboniferous - Devonian quartzose and lithic sandstone, mudstone, massive amphibolite, quartzite and mica schist, siltstone, jasper, chert and slate; local schist. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32b). |
| Supplementary description | Bailey et al. (2000), 8HG-11, R-1-74, RHg-11; Brushe et al. (in prep.), map unit c74; Queensland Herbarium (2008) Hcp_11, Hgl_11 |
| Protected areas | Percy Isles NP, Keppel Bay Islands NP, Byfield NP, Byfield CP, Broad Sound Islands NP, Capricorn Coast NP |
| Special values | 8.11.9: Habitat for threatened species Comesperma oblongatum (listed as "Vulnerable" in the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.) and Stackhousia tryonii (listed as "Near Threatened" in the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992). Also habitat for species which are poorly known in the CQC Bioregion, including Pultenaea spinosa, Dianella crinoides, Diuris alba, Diuris chrysantha, Diuris alba x chrysantha, Diuris sp., Caladenia catenata, Chamaecrista concinna, Dysphania carinata, Chorizema parviflorum, Eremophila debilis, Eulalia trispicata, Peripleura diffusa, Spermacoce multicaulis and Velleia pubescens, as well as species at the northern limit of their range, including Brachyloma daphnoides, Hovea clavata, Jacksonia scoparia, Hibbertia vestita, Patersonia sericea and Brunonia australis. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Anytime but avoid late winter to spring. INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: 4-6 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 4. INTERVAL_MAX: 6. STRATEGY: Burn when soils are moist. |
| Comments | 8.11.9: Structurally similar to 8.12.13, but often with substantial floristic differences, and occurring on land zone 11. Distinguished from all other regional ecosystems and vegetation communities on Land Zone 11 by the combination of occurrence on islands and headlands, and the structure (grassland or dwarf heathland (or shrubland of Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia). Heath examples are closely related to 8.11.10, but are included in 8.12.13a when they are less than 0.4m tall at which point they are usually indistinguishable from 8.12.13a on aerial photography. Occurs on the coast from Emu Park to Cape Manifold and also on several islands including, the Keppel Island Group, Townshend Island, South Percy Island, Long Island (in Broad Sound) and some islands within Shoalwater Bay. Some areas are in excellent condition, whilst others (which have been subject to grazing activities or invasion by feral animals) are more impacted and are sometimes heavily invaded with weeds. The most problematic species are *Melinis repens, *Stachytarpheta jamaicensis and *Lantana camara. Other weeds include *Passiflora foetida, *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida, *Stylosanthes spp., *Sida rhombifolia, *Sida cordifolia, *Opuntia stricta, *Melinis minutiflora and *Sporobolus fertilis. Erosion has been a severe problem on some of the islands, particularly where feral goats have been present. |
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.
