Regional ecosystem details for 8.12.7
| Regional ecosystem | 8.12.7 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 3, (4), (11.12), (11.2), (6), (2), (11.14) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 189000 ha; Remnant 2021 181000 ha |
| Short description | Corymbia citriodora +/- Eucalyptus portuensis +/- E. drepanophylla (or E. crebra) open forest on hill slopes and undulating plateaus on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Corymbia citriodora open forest to woodland. Subdominant or codominant canopy species often include Eucalyptus portuensis, E. exserta, E. drepanophylla, E. crebra, whilst C. intermedia and C. trachyphloia may occur as associated species. In drier, more western areas E. drepanophylla (or E. crebra in the south) may be dominant. Stands of E. melanophloia may also occur in drier parts. A secondary tree layer of Banksia integrifolia subsp. compar, Acacia spp. and Allocasuarina spp. may be present, and Lophostemon confertus occurs on shallower soils. A sparse shrub layer of Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia, Jacksonia scoparia, Persoonia amaliae and Coelospermum reticulatum may be present. The ground layer is usually dominated by species such as Themeda triandra, Eremochloa bimaculata, Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum, Heteropogon triticeus, H. contortus, Lomandra longifolia, Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia and Chrysopogon fallax. Occurs on slopes, ridges, plateaus and crests on undulating hills to steep mountains of foothills, uplands and highlands, on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Contains minor areas of Tertiary acid volcanics (land zone 8). Geologies mapped include Cvw (Whelan Creek Volcanics), CPgpg (Pisgah Igneous Complex), Pc/s (Carmila beds/s), Cvm (Mountain View Volcanics) and CPvl (Leura Volcanics). Early Permian - Late Carboniferous crystal-rich (feldspar and locally quartz) and generally lithics-poor. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 10b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 8.12.7a: Corymbia citriodora and Eucalyptus portuensis open forest to woodland (12-27m tall). Corymbia trachyphloia and C. intermedia are occasional subdominants, whilst E. drepanophylla, E. tereticornis and E. exserta may be associated canopy species. There is often a very sparse to mid-dense secondary tree layer, with typical species often including C. trachyphloia, E. portuensis, C. citriodora, E. drepanophylla and Lophostemon confertus. There is occasionally a very sparse lower tree layer including species such as juvenile eucalypts, Banksia integrifolia subsp. compar, Vachellia bidwillii, A. leptocarpa and Allocasuarina littoralis. The shrub layer when present consists of isolated plants or a very sparse layer, with typical species including Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia, Persoonia amaliae, Acacia leptocarpa, Breynia oblongifolia, Jacksonia scoparia and Cycas media. The ground layer ranges from very sparse to mid-dense, with common dominants often including Themeda triandra, Eremochloa bimaculata, Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia, Heteropogon triticeus, Aristida spp., Chrysopogon fallax, Imperata cylindrica, Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum and Pteridium esculentum. Occurs on slopes, ridges, plateaus and crests on undulating hills to steep mountains of foothills, uplands and highlands. Geologies mapped are Cvw (Whelan Creek Volcanics), CPgpg (Pisgah Igneous Complex), Pc/s (Carmila beds/s), Cvm (Mountain View Volcanics) and CPgjo (Johnstone Creek Igneous Complex). Early Permian - Late Carboniferous crystal-rich (feldspar and locally quartz). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 10b). 8.12.7b: Corymbia citriodora woodland to open forest. Codominant to associated canopy species usually include Eucalyptus crebra and/or E. portuensis. Other associated species may include Corymbia intermedia, E. exserta and C. trachyphloia. There is often a very sparse to sparse secondary tree layer consisting of species such as Lophostemon confertus, Acacia flavescens, A. aulacocarpa, Planchonia careya and A. julifera subsp. curvinervia. There is usually a very sparse to sparse shrub layer with species such as Lophostemon confertus, Coelospermum reticulatum, Acacia crassa subsp. longicoma and Jacksonia scoparia. The ground layer is dominated by species such as Heteropogon contortus, Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia, H. triticeus, Themeda triandra, Eremochloa bimaculata, Cymbopogon spp. and Hardenbergia violacea. Occurs on slopes, ridges and crests (often in drier areas) on undulating hills to rolling mountains of foothills and uplands, on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Contains minor areas of Tertiary acid volcanics (land zone 8), (subregion 4). Geologies mapped include PKdm (Double Mountain Volcanics), PKgp (Pyri Pyri Granite) and RKvp (Peninsula Range Volcanics). Early Cretaceous - Late Permian dacitic crystal tuff, lithic, vitric and lapilli tuff, muscovite-biotite granite and hornblende-biotite adamellite. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 10b). 8.12.7c: Eucalyptus drepanophylla low woodland to open forest (6-20m tall). Corymbia citriodora may sometimes be codominant in the canopy. Other occasional associated species in the canopy may include E. melanophloia, C. trachyphloia, E. exserta, C. erythrophloia, E. portuensis and E. platyphylla. There is occasionally a sparse to mid-dense secondary tree layer of Lophostemon confertus, or a very sparse secondary tree layer consisting of scattered juveniles of canopy species as well as occasional Lophostemon confertus, C. clarksoniana, C. dallachiana, Callitris endlicheri and Alphitonia excelsa. The shrub layer ranges from very sparse to dense, and when dense is often dominated by Lophostemon confertus. Other species may include Acacia leptostachya, Bursaria incana, Dodonaea viscosa, E. exserta, Xanthorrhoea sp., Dodonaea viscosa, Jacksonia scoparia, Persoonia amaliae, Persoonia falcata, Cycas media subsp. media, Acacia decora and Wikstroemia indica. The ground layer is often dominated by Eremochloa bimaculata, with other common dominants and associated species including Heteropogon contortus, Bothriochloa decipiens var. decipiens, Arundinella setosa, Chrysopogon fallax, Themeda triandra, Eragrostis brownii and Heteropogon triticeus. Occurs on slopes, ridges and crests (often in drier western areas) on rolling to steep mountains of foothills and uplands. Soil is often shallow, and rock outcrops are common. Geologies mapped include CPvl (Leura Volcanics), Cvw (Whelan Creek Volcanics), Cpgu (Urannah Batholith), CKr (Urannah Igneous Complex) and CPgsd (Strathdee Granodiorite). Early Cretaceous - Late Carboniferous undivided acid, intermediate and minor basic plutonic rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 10b). |
| Supplementary description | Bean (1992b), Vegetation type Ec (in part); Brushe et al. (in prep), Map units c55-12a, c66-12, c70-12a |
| Protected areas | Homevale NP, Eungella NP, Crediton FR, Homevale RR |
| Special values | 8.12.7: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Callicarpa thozetii, Ozothamnus eriocephalus, Coleus eungellaensis. 8.12.7a: Habitat for endangered plant species Callicarpa thozetii. Potential habitat for the vulnerable plant species Ozothamnus eriocephalus. Habitat for a number of species restricted to the narrow, high-altitude zone on the Clarke Range, which otherwise only occur in SE Queensland and high altitudes of the Wet Tropics. These include Hardenbergia violacea and Desmodium varians. Also habitat for some other species poorly known in the Central Queensland Coast bioregion such as Opercularia diphylla, Persoonia amaliae, Goodenia rotundifolia and Tephrosia purpurea var. sericea. Habitat for arboreal mammals including Yellow Bellied Gliders and Koalas. 8.12.7b: Habitat for species poorly known in the CQC bioregion such as Brachychiton bidwillii. 8.12.7c: Habitat for a number of species restricted to the narrow, high-altitude zone on the Clarke Range, which otherwise only occur in south-eastern Queensland and high altitudes of the Wet Tropics. These include Hardenbergia violacea and Desmodium varians. Also habitat for some other species poorly known in the Central Queensland Coast bioregion such as Opercularia diphylla and Persoonia amaliae. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Any time when sufficient soil moisture is present (during growing season). INTENSITY: 8.12.7a and c: Moderate. 8.12.7b: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: 8.12.7a and c: 4 - 7 years. 8.12.7b: Minimum 4 - 7 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 4. INTERVAL_MAX: 50. STRATEGY: 8.12.7a and c: Aim to retain about 50 % unburnt. 8.12.7b: Attempt to retain at least 50% unburnt at any given time. ISSUES: 8.12.7a and c: In many areas, particularly those with a long history of grazing, regular (i.e. biannual to triennial) low to moderate intensity fire has been the norm. It is possible that lantana infestations, and high levels of Acacia spp. Emergence have resulted from this regime. Conservation based fire management should allow for a application of more diverse fire types including some high intensity fires. The later fire type may also be useful in initial control of heavy lantana infestations. 8.12.7b: Canopy trees provide important hollows for arboreal mammals and avifauna. Generally fuel accumulation is slow preventing regular burning. |
| Comments | 8.12.7a: Very similar to 8.12.7b but 8.12.7b occurs only in subregion 4 (8.12.7a is only in subregion 3). Distinguished from 8.12.7c by the co-dominance or subdominance of other species besides Corymbia citriodora and Eucalyptus drepanophylla. Distinguished from all other regional ecosystems and vegetation communities on land zone 12 by the presence of C. citriodora as a dominant, subdominant or associated species in the canopy. Occurs in subregion 3, extensive from Reedy Creek (south-west of Proserpine Dam) in the Clarke Range to Campbell Range (35km south of St Lawrence) in the south. Generally reasonably good although a history of selective timber harvesting and cattle grazing have had an impact, causing a reduction in tree density and representation of larger trees, and contributing to the spread of weeds. 8.12.7b: Very similar to 8.12.7a and 8.12.7c, but these occur only in subregion 3 (8.12.7b is only in subregion 4). Distinguished from all other regional ecosystems and vegetation communities on land zone 12 by the presence of Corymbia citriodora as a dominant or codominant species in the canopy. Occurs in subregion 4, within the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area. Mapped in the Polygon Range and Normanby Range to the west of Shoalwater Bay and also in the Peninsular Range area to the west of Island Head Creek. Generally reasonably good although a history of selective timber harvesting and cattle grazing have had an impact, causing a reduction in tree density and representation of larger trees, and contributing to the spread of weeds. 8.12.7c: Can be very similar to 8.12.7b but 8.12.7b occurs only in Subregion 4 (8.12.7c is only in Subregion 2). Distinguished from 8.12.7a by the co-dominance or subdominance of Eucalyptus drepanophylla or E. exserta or Corymbia trachyphloia. Distinguished from all other regional ecosystems and vegetation communities on land zone 12 by its position in the landscape (far western edge of the bioregion) and the common presence of typical western edge (or high altitude) species such as C. citriodora, E. melanophloia, C. erythrophloia, Callitris endlicheri and Persoonia amaliae. Occurs on the western edge of subregion 3, from Reedy Creek (west of Proserpine Dam) in the north to Tooloombah Creek in Broadsound Range(40km west of Marlborough) to the south. Ranges from excellent in more remote areas, to average in areas that are more heavily grazed or accessed by timber harvesters. The weed *Lantana camara is a problem in some areas, whilst ground stratum weeds include *Ageratum conyzoides subsp. conyzoides and *Sporobolus jacquemontii. |
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.
