Regional ecosystem details for 8.12.8
| Regional ecosystem | 8.12.8 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 3 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 2000 ha; Remnant 2021 2000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus montivaga open forest on plateaus and ridges of high ranges on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Open Forest |
| Description | Eucalyptus montivaga open forest (25-40m tall). Co-dominant to associated species in the canopy may include Corymbia intermedia, Eucalyptus resinifera and E. acmenoides. There is often a sparse to very sparse secondary tree layer dominated by Allocasuarina littoralis (or A. torulosa), with other associated species often including Banksia integrifolia subsp. compar and juvenile Eucalyptus spp. and Corymbia spp. from the canopy. The shrub layer is sparse (to isolated plants) and may include species such as Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia, Glochidion sp., Acacia disparrima subsp. disparrima, Pittosporum ferrugineum and Banksia integrifolia subsp. compar. The ground layer tends to be very sparse to sparse, and often includes Imperata cylindrica, Pteridium esculentum, Desmodium rhytidophyllum, Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum, Hardenbergia violacea, Adiantum hispidulum, Calochlaena dubia, Oplismenus burmanni, Ranunculus lappaceus and Themeda triandra. Occurs on plateaus, ridges, upper slopes and crests on rolling mountains, mainly above 700m. Geologies mapped include CPn, CPgpl (Palms Lookout Granodiorite), CKgu and CPgu (Urannah Batholith) and Kg/d. Early Cretaceous - Late Carboniferous biotite granite, hornblende, biotite granite to granodiorite, hornblende granodiorite to tonalite, biotite and gabbro. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 8b). |
| Supplementary description | Bean (1992b) Vegetation type Ea. |
| Protected areas | Eungella NP, Crediton FR |
| Special values | 8.12.8: Habitat for the threatened plant species Ozothamnus eriocephalus and Coleus eungellaensis. Habitat for Powerful Owl and Glossy Black Cockatoo. Important habitat for arboreal mammals. Northern limit of Eucalyptus montivaga. Habitat for a number of herbaceous species that are locally rare (restricted to the higher altitudes) and are more typical of southern cooler climates. These include Hardenbergia violacea, Ranunculus lappaceus, Desmodium gunnii, Botrychium australe, Geranium homeanum, Hydrocotyle acutiloba, Lagenophora stipitata, Plantago debilis, Poa labillardierei var. labillardierei, Pterostylis nutans, Veronica plebeia, Clematis glycinoides, Mentha diemenica, Senecio prenanthoides and Viola hederacea. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Winter to spring. INTENSITY: High. INTERVAL: 10 years +. INTERVAL_MIN: 10. INTERVAL_MAX: 50. STRATEGY: Fire will be high intensity and only likely to occur at long intervals (at least 10+ years) during prolonged dry periods and possibly following cyclone events. Given this requirement it is unlikely that mosaic burns will be achievable. As such, different localities containing this ecosystem should be burnt rotationally to ensure a continuum of habitat availability across the broader landscape. ISSUES: Evidence suggests that low to moderate intensity fires within wetter sclerophyll forests can promote rainforest emergence. Wherever practical consideration should be given to introducing irregular high intensity fire. |
| Comments | 8.12.8: Distinguished from all other regional ecosystems in the Central Queensland Coast bioregion by the dominance (to subdominance) of E. montivaga. Scattered on mountains from Dicks Tableland south-east to Eungella Dam and on a peak north of Running Creek in Connors Range (20km west of Sarina). Subject to timber harvesting which may have long-term detrimental effects given the very restricted nature of this regional ecosystem (restricted to relatively small patches on ridgelines at high altitude). Weed species include *Hypochaeris radicata, *Bidens bipinnata and *Lantana camara. |
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.
