Regional ecosystem details for 8.12.12
| Regional ecosystem | 8.12.12 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 3, 2, 4, (6), (1), (11.14), (5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 124000 ha; Remnant 2021 89000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus tereticornis and/or Corymbia spp. and/or E. platyphylla and/or Lophostemon suaveolens woodland to open forest on hill slopes on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus tereticornis and/or E. platyphylla and/or Lophostemon suaveolens and/or Corymbia spp. open forest to woodland (occasionally closed forest) (3-20m tall) with several other canopy co-dominants or subdominants often present, which may include E. drepanophylla, E. tereticornis, C. tessellaris and E. portuensis. Other occasional canopy species may include C. clarksoniana, C. erythrophloia and Lophostemon confertus. There is sometimes a secondary tree layer present (ranging from very sparse to dense) which may be dominated by species such as Lophostemon confertus, Acacia spirorbis subsp. solandri, Acacia disparrima subsp. disparrima, Eucalyptus spp. and Corymbia spp., or sometimes a suite of pioneering rainforest species. A shrub layer (1-4m tall) is frequently present and may include Acacia spp., Cycas media subsp. media and Xanthorrhoea latifolia. The ground layer may be dominated by species such as Themeda triandra, Imperata cylindrica, Mnesithea rottboellioides and Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum. Occurs on slopes, ridges and crests on gently undulating rises, undulating low hills and rolling rises and mountains of foothills and uplands, on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Geologies mapped include Pc/s (Carmila beds/s), Cgmi (Mia Mia Igneous Complex), CKr (Urannah Igneous Complex), Cvm (Mountain View Volcanics) and Pc/v (Carmila beds/v). Early Permian - Late Carboniferous undivided acid, intermediate and minor basic plutonic rocks. Siltstone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 8.12.12a: Corymbia intermedia and/or Eucalyptus platyphylla open forest to woodland (occasionally closed forest) (12-25m tall) with several other canopy co-dominants or subdominants always present, which may include E. drepanophylla, E. tereticornis, C. tessellaris and E. portuensis. Other occasional canopy species may include C. clarksoniana, C. erythrophloia and Lophostemon spp. There is sometimes a secondary tree layer present (ranging from very sparse to dense) which may be dominated by species such as Lophostemon confertus, Acacia spirorbis subsp. solandri, Eucalyptus spp. and Corymbia spp., or sometimes a suite of pioneering rainforest species. A shrub layer (1-4m tall) is frequently present forming a sparse (to very sparse) cover, with typical species including Cycas media subsp. media, Xanthorrhoea latifolia and Glochidion lobocarpum. The ground layer is grassy and usually dominated by species such as Themeda triandra, Imperata cylindrica, Mnesithea rottboellioides and Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum. Occurs on slopes and crests of undulating low hills formed on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks (subregions 2 and 3). Geologies are mainly Pc/s (Carmila beds/s), Cgmi (Mia Mia Igneous Complex), CKr (Urannah Igneous Complex), Cvm (Mountain View Volcanics) and Pc/v (Carmila beds/v). Early Permian - Late Carboniferous undivided acid, intermediate and minor basic plutonic rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9d). 8.12.12b: Eucalyptus tereticornis and/or E. platyphylla and/or Lophostemon suaveolens woodland to open forest (to low woodland to low open forest) (3-27m tall). The most frequent species which occur as codominant or associated canopy trees include Corymbia intermedia, E. crebra and E. portuensis. Less frequent associated canopy species are C. clarksoniana, C. tessellaris, E. exserta, C. trachyphloia, C. erythrophloia and L. confertus. There is often a very sparse to mid-dense secondary tree layer dominated by species such as Allocasuarina torulosa, Lophostemon spp., Acacia disparrima subsp. disparrima and juvenile canopy species. A very sparse to sparse shrub layer is often present, and typical dominant species may include Acacia disparrima subsp. disparrima, Lophostemon confertus, Alphitonia excelsa, Allocasuarina torulosa, Planchonia careya and Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora. The ground layer is very sparse to mid-dense and often dominated by species such as Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum, Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia (this may sometimes be part of the shrub layer), Themeda triandra and Heteropogon spp. Occurs on slopes, ridges and crests on undulating low hills to steep hills of lowlands and foothills on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Geologies mapped include PKgb (Bayfield Granite), RKvp (Peninsula Range Volcanics), PKg, Ccs (Shoalwater Formation) and PKdm (Double Mountain Volcanics). Early Cretaceous - Late Carboniferous leucocratic biotite granite, biotite-hornblende adamellite and pyroclastic crystal tuff. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9c). 8.12.12d: Corymbia clarksoniana woodland to open forest (8-30m tall). Common associated to codominant species may include C. tessellaris, Eucalyptus platyphylla, C. dallachiana, E. drepanophylla, E. tereticornis and Allocasuarina littoralis. (The canopy often consists of a mixture of several Corymbia and/or Eucalyptus species). Corymbia intermedia may occasionally be present. Eucalyptus tereticornis is an occasional emergent. A secondary tree layer is sometimes present, usually consisting of Corymbia spp. and Eucalyptus spp. as well as species such as Acacia flavescens, Planchonia careya, Timonius timon var. timon, Allocasuarina littoralis and Acacia spirorbis subsp. solandri. Occasionally a rainforest species pioneering layer is present. A very sparse (to isolated plants) to mid-dense shrub layer (1-3.3m tall) is commonly present, with species including Acacia flavescens, Glochidion lobocarpum, Planchonia careya, Tabernaemontana orientalis and Ficus opposita. The ground layer is grassy, and is commonly dominated by species such as Imperata cylindrica, Themeda triandra, Chionachne cyathopoda and Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum. Occurs on slopes, ridges and crests on gently undulating rises, undulating low hills, rolling rises and foothills of mountains, on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Geologies are mainly PKg, Pll (Airlie Volcanics), Cle (Edgecumbe Beds), Kw (Whitsunday Volcanics) and Kp (Proserpine Volcanics). Early Cretaceous - Early Carboniferous acid to intermediate pyroclastics and flows. Includes Leucogranite, microgranite and volcaniclastic rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9c). |
| Supplementary description | Bailey et al. (2003) ECa-12, 8H-12, ET-12; Batianoff, Dillewaard and Franks (1997), Vegetation unit 27; Bean (1992b), Vegetation type Og; Bean (1992d), Vegetation type F and L; Brushe et al. (in prep), Map units c62-12, 62-12, c70-12d, c55-12d; Pollock (1 |
| Protected areas | Eungella NP, Dryander NP, Mount Martin NP, Gloucester Island NP, Percy Isles NP, Bluff Hill NP, Kelvin FR, Pioneer Peaks NP, Cape Palmerston NP, Crediton FR, Mount Ossa NP, South Cumberland Islands NP, Kelvin NP, Andromache CP, Cape Hillsborough NP, Middl |
| Special values | 8.12.12: Habitat for the Northern Quoll (Pollock, 1995) which is listed as "Endangered" under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Also Koala habitat. 8.12.12a: Potential habitat for the endangered plant species Callicarpa thozetii.. Higher altitude examples of this ecosystem are potential habitat for the vulnerable plant species Ozothamnus eriocephalus. 8.12.12b: Habitat for Bowenia serrulata which is restricted to the Shoalwater area. Also for Hardenbergia violacea which is rare in northern parts of CQC (more typical of southern cooler climates). Also habitat for Ottochloa gracillima, Swainsona galegifolia and Scleria terrestris which are poorly known in the Central Queensland Coast bioregion, and Schoenus maschalinus, Macrozamia miquelii and Cryptostylis erecta which are at the northern limit of their range. 8.12.12d: Stunted, sparse coastal headland examples of this vegetation community are habitat for threatened plant species Solanum graniticum (endangered) and Solanum sporadotrichum (near threatened). |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: 8.12.12a: Vary; winter, late winter and storm burns. 8.12.12b: Any time providing sufficient soil moisture is present (active growing season). INTENSITY: 8.12.12a and b: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: 8.12.12a and d: 3 - 5 years. 8.12.12b: 4 - 8 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 3. INTERVAL_MAX: 8. STRATEGY: 8.12.12a, b and d: Aim to retain about 25 % unburnt. ISSUES: 8.12.12a and d: Emphasis should be placed on the general principles of mosaic burning, and diversity of fire types. Care should be taken to maintain tree hollows and also to maintain ground litter and fallen timber habitats. 8.12.12b: Care should be taken to maintain tree hollows and also to maintain ground litter and fallen timber habitats. |
| Comments | 8.12.12a: Distinguished from most other land zone 12 regional ecosystems by being dominated by a mixture of at least three or four eucalypts, usually including Corymbia intermedia. The most similar RE is 8.12.12d which is more coastal, where C. intermedia is replaced by C. clarksoniana. Also very similar is 8.12.12b which is most easily distinguished by occurring in subregion 4 only (8.12.12a does not occur in subregion 4). Also similar is 8.12.22 which occurs in more southern parts of subregion 2 and 3 in slightly drier areas, and tends to include a different suite of species including Eucalyptus drepanophylla, C. trachyphloia, C. clarksoniana, E. exserta and C. dallachiana. The regional ecosystems 8.12.9 and 8.12.25 are always dominated by E. tereticornis, and the regional ecosystems 8.12.5 (a, b, c) are always dominated by E. portuensis. Extensive in mountainous areas from Mount McGuire (north of Proserpine Dam) in the north, to Carmila Creek (5km west of Carmila) in the south. Some areas are heavily weed invaded (particularly in areas with a history of cattle and horse grazing such as Crediton State Forest) and have been selectively harvested for timber. Other areas remain in good condition. The worst weed species are *Themeda quadrivalvis, *Sporobolus spp., *Stylosanthes spp., *Lantana camara, *Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, *Urena lobata, *Mimosa pudica and *Chamaecrista rotundifolia. Sometimes encroached upon by rainforest pioneer species understorey in absence of fire. 8.12.12b: Distinguished from most other land zone 12 regional ecosystems by being the only RE in subregion 4 on land zone 12 which occurs away from wind-sheared coastal headlands, and which is dominated or codominated by E. tereticornis, E. platyphylla or Lophostemon suaveolens. The most similar regional ecosystems are 8.12.12a and 8.12.12d which mainly occur in subregions 1 and 2 (8.12.12b occurs only in subregion 4). (8.12.12d occurs in northern parts of subregion 4 but is on islands). Restricted to subregion 4. Occurs in the Polygon Range, Colcarra Range and Peninsula Range of the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area. Also mapped to the west of Corio Bay. Good to moderate condition overall, though it is vulnerable to weed invasion on the better soils. Common weed species include *Lantana camara, *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida, *Triumfetta rhomboidea, *Megathyrsus maximus, *Melinis minutiflora, *Opuntia stricta, *Passiflora foetida and *Ipomoea cairica. Sometimes encroached upon by rainforest pioneer species understorey in absence of fire. 8.12.12d: Distinguished from most other land zone 12 regional ecosystems by a dominance of Corymbia clarksoniana and/or mixture of at least three or four eucalypts, usually including Corymbia clarksoniana. The most similar RE is 8.12.12a which occurs more inland (slopes of the main mountain range of the great divide), where C. clarksoniana is frequently replaced by C. intermedia. Also very similar are 8.12.12b which are most easily distinguished by occurring in inland parts of subregion 4 only (8.12.12d does not occur in subregion 4 except on some northern islands). The regional ecosystems 8.12.6a and 8.12.6b occupy a similar habitat niche and are closely related but are always dominated by Eucalyptus drepanophylla (or E. drepanophylla and E. platyphylla). Also similar is 8.12.22 which tends to include a different suite of species including E. drepanophylla, C. trachyphloia, C. clarksoniana, E. exserta and C. dallachiana. The regional ecosystems 8.12.9 and 8.12.25 are always dominated by E. tereticornis, and the regional ecosystems 8.12.5 (a, b, c) are always dominated by E. portuensis. Coastal hilly areas, from Cape Gloucester to Mount Julian near Proserpine in the north, and Mt Hayden, 12km north-east of Sarina in the south. Also found on many islands including Gloucester, Hayman, St Bees and Keswick Islands. Condition is poor in areas that have been heavily grazed (which usually suffer from ground layer weed invasion or alteration of species composition) and/or harvested for timber. Some parts have been heavily invaded by Lantana. Other examples (usually furthest from human influence) are in relatively good condition. The most common weeds include *Lantana camara, *Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, *Triumfetta rhomboidea, *Ageratum conyzoides subsp. conyzoides, *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida and *Passiflora foetida. Sometimes encroached apron by rainforest pioneer species understorey in absence of fire. Fringe areas may be damaged by cane fires. |
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.
