Regional ecosystem details for 8.2.10
| Regional ecosystem | 8.2.10 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 5, 4 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 500 ha; Remnant 2021 500 ha |
| Short description | Sand blows with bare sand and areas of sparse herbland or shrubland |
| Structure code | Sparse Herbland |
| Description | Bare sand with isolated herbaceous plants, typically dominated by species such as Eragrostis interrupta, Podolepis arachnoidea, Evolvulus alsinoides, Brunonia australis, Bulbostylis barbata and Elionurus citreus. In some places there are shrubs forming emergents (or a very sparse shrubland), and these may include Casuarina equisetifolia subsp. incana, Allocasuarina littoralis, Lithomyrtus obtusa, Alphitonia excelsa, Leptospermum neglectum and Banksia integrifolia subsp. compar. Recently active and distinct "blow-outs" (parabolic formations) in sand dunes. Dunes are Qpd (Pleistocene high parabolic quartz sand dunes), Qhf (Holocene quartzose foredune sand) and Qhcb (Holocene quartzose to shelly sand beach ridges). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 28d). |
| Supplementary description | Bailey et al. (2003), SB-2; Brushe et al. (in prep), c25 |
| Protected areas | Byfield NP, Percy Isles NP |
| Special values | 8.2.10: High values as a uniquely dynamic terrestrial ecosystem. Limited extent. Part of a natural successional series in coastal dune areas. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. ISSUES: Fire in adjacent areas potentially will increase the size and erodibility of these areas. |
| Comments | 8.2.10: Easily distinguished from all other sand dune communities by the very low area of plant cover and "sand-blow" (parabolic) shape. Occurs in subregion 5 from the mouth of Island Head Creek to Corio Bay. Also occurs on Great Keppel Island. Relatively weed free except possibly where natural disturbance has been augmented with vehicular activity in the more accessible areas. |
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.
