Regional ecosystem details for 8.2.9
| Regional ecosystem | 8.2.9 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 2, 11.2, 4, 11.14, (6), (1) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 400 ha; Remnant 2021 200 ha |
| Short description | Tussock grassland on coastal dunes |
| Structure code | Tussock Grassland |
| Description | Heteropogon triticeus and/or Imperata cylindrica and/or Themeda triandra open tussock grassland to closed tussock grassland. Common subdominant or associated grasses may include Eragrostis interrupta, Heteropogon contortus, Eriachne triodioides, Aristida holathera var. holathera, Cymbopogon refractus and Alloteropsis semialata. Associated herbs and sedges include Glycine tomentella, Cassytha filiformis, Aphyllodium biarticulatum, Boerhavia spp, Commelina ensifolia, Polycarpaea corymbosa, Evolvulus alsinoides, Xenostegia tridentata and Chrysocephalum apiculatum. Other species which may be common at some sites include Cyperus javanicus, Schizachyrium spp., Elionurus citreus, Desmodium rhytidophyllum, Cyperus pedunculatus, Crotalaria montana, Bulbostylis barbata, Mnesithea rottboellioides, Perotis rara, Zornia dyctiocarpa var. filifolia, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Crotalaria mitchellii, Dianella longifolia, Schizachyrium fragile, Afrohybanthus enneaspermus, Cyperus scaber and Spermacoce brachystema. Occurs on coastal dunes, predominantly of Holocene age. Geology mainly Qhcb (Holocene quartzose to shelly sand beach ridges). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32a). |
| Supplementary description | Batianoff and Franks (1997), 31SS (in part); Kemp (2009) Gd; Warrien and Lavarack (in prep), Vegetation unit 1a |
| Protected areas | Broad Sound Islands NP, Northumberland Islands NP, Gloucester Island NP, South Cumberland Islands NP, Holbourne Island NP |
| Special values | 8.2.9: The majority of this regional ecosystem occurs on large high aeolian deposits, and is very rare. The largest representation of this regional ecosystem occurs at Slade Point and is important habitat for small mammals. The dunes are a key factor affecting the hydrology of associated wetlands. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Vary; winter, late winter and storm burns. INTENSITY: Moderate. INTERVAL: 4-6 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 4. INTERVAL_MAX: 6. STRATEGY: No more than 70% of each patch in any given year. ISSUES: This ecosystem is considered erodible, and planned burns should only be conducted when rapid regeneration of the grassy layer is expected. |
| Comments | 8.2.9: This is the only grassland RE on sand dunes in the Central Queensland Coast bioregion. Occurs in very small patches along the coast. Found most extensively around Slade Pt, North Mackay. Mapped at Proserpine Plain, Hay Point to Three Mile Beach east of Carmila and on several islands, from Stone Is (near Bowen) to Aquila Is near Carmila. This regional ecosystem is very sensitive to erosion and threats include vehicles, horse-riding, over-grazing, weed invasion and uncontrolled pedestrian traffic. The most serious weed is *Digitaria didactyla, which was possibly sown as a pasture species in the Slade Point area. Other common weeds include *Melinis repens, *Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, *Cenchrus echinatus, *Tridax procumbens, *Cynodon dactylon, *Portulaca pilosa, *Richardia brasiliensis, *Dactyloctenium aegyptium, *Macroptilium atropurpureum and *Megathyrsus maximus. Also threatened by industrial and urban development. The condition of many sites is relatively poor, however some remain relatively intact. |
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.
