Regional ecosystem details for 8.12.9
| Regional ecosystem | 8.12.9 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 3, (11.2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 30000 ha; Remnant 2021 20000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus tereticornis +/- Corymbia intermedia +/- Lophostemon suaveolens woodland on undulating uplands on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Eucalyptus tereticornis woodland to open forest (18-30m tall). Corymbia intermedia and/or Lophostemon suaveolens can sometimes be codominant in the canopy. Other occasional associated canopy species may include E. drepanophylla. A secondary tree layer of Allocasuarina littoralis or A. torulosa, Banksia integrifolia subsp. compar, and Timonius timon var. timon is sometimes present. Some areas have a secondary tree layer consisting of rainforest species. Shrubs may be absent or may form a sparse layer, with occasional scattered Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia, and other species such as Myrsine variabilis, Glochidion apodogynum, Trema tomentosa, Cycas media and Breynia oblongifolia. The ground layer is usually mid-dense and grassy, and often includes species such as Imperata cylindrica, Themeda triandra, Chionachne cyathopoda, Centella asiatica, Dichondra repens, Oplismenus burmanni, Sorghum nitidum forma aristatum, Microlaena stipoides, Carex inversa, Pteridium esculentum, Eremochloa bimaculata and Mnesithea rottboellioides. Occurs on gently undulating slopes and open depressions on rolling mountains of foothills and uplands. Geologies mapped include Cvm/b (Mountain View Volcanics/b), CPgu (Urannah Batholith), Cgda (Dacey Granite) and Pc/s (Carmila beds/s). Early Permian - Late Carboniferous porphyritic to locally aphyric basalt and andesite, biotite monzogranite and biotite-hornblende granite. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9c). |
| Protected areas | Crediton FR, Kelvin FR, Homevale RR, Kelvin NP, Eungella NP, Homevale NP |
| Special values | 8.12.9: Important habitat for arboreal mammals and Powerful Owl, Rufus Owl, Glossy Black Cockatoo. Currently known to contain a number of herbaceous species that are locally rare (restricted to the higher altitudes and are more typical of southern cooler climates). This includes Carex inversa (northern limit), Dichondra repens, Desmodium gunnii, Mentha diemenica, Plantago debilis, Veronica plebeia, Viola betonicifolia subsp. betonicifolia (northern limit), Brachyscome paludicola (northern limit), Desmodium varians, Dichelachne montana (northern limit), Hardenbergia violacea, Microlaena stipoides, Poa labillardierei var. labillardierei and Ranunculus lappaceus. Habitat for several other species poorly known from the Central Qld Coast bioregion, including Cyperus leiocaulon, Eremophila debilis, Haloragis aspera and Hyparrhenia filipendula. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Any time when sufficient soil moisture is present (during growing season). However avoid August/ September during seasonal Eungella honey-eater use. INTENSITY: Moderate. INTERVAL: 3 - 6 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 3. INTERVAL_MAX: 6. STRATEGY: Ensure that at least 30% is left unburnt in any given year. ISSUES: Most areas of this ecosystem have a long history of grazing, with consequent low rates of blue gum recruitment. In several areas observed, swamp mahogany is beginning to dominate the canopy, displacing blue gum. Fire should not be applied in areas adjacent to Eungella honey-eater habitat, prior to the nesting season (app August - September). |
| Comments | 8.12.9: Distinguished from all other land zone 12 regional ecosystems by the combination of dominance of Eucalyptus tereticornis and occurrence at moderate to high altitudes on the main Great Dividing Range. Occurs in subregion 3 from Mt Flat Top (40km west of Lethebrook), south to Mount Mysie in the Broadsound Range (30km south-west of St Lawrence). Sugar cane is beginning to expand into the ranges of the Central Queensland Coast, and this regional ecosystem is likely to be targeted for clearing due to the fertile soils and gently undulating landscape. Large areas of this regional ecosystem have already been cleared, whilst many of the remaining areas are heavily grazed and/or logged. Some areas have been heavily invaded by *Bothriochloa pertusa (Indian couch) and a variety of *Paspalum spp. The weed *Lantana camara is also a severe problem in some areas. Other common problem weeds include *Themeda quadrivalvis, *Sporobolus jacquemontii, *Sporobolus spp., *Ageratum conyzoides subsp. conyzoides, *Axonopus fissifolius, *Bidens bipinnata, *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida, *Mecardonia procumbens, *Passiflora suberosa, *P. pallida, *Eleusine indica and *Urena lobata. This regional ecosystem is a major source of timber for the Central Queensland Coast. This regional ecosystem experiences poor regeneration in grazed stands, especially after logging. |
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.
