Regional ecosystem details for 8.5.7
| Regional ecosystem | 8.5.7 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 5, 4, (11.14) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 7000 ha; Remnant 2021 6000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca viridiflora and/or Eucalyptus latisinensis +/- Syncarpia glomulifera woodland on Cainozoic sand plains of uncertain age and origin |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora and/or Eucalyptus latisinensis low open woodland to open forest (6-14m tall). The structure and composition varies from a Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora low open woodland to woodland (with occasional associated canopy species including Allocasuarina littoralis, Acacia leptocarpa and Grevillea banksii), to a Eucalyptus latisinensis open forest to woodland with associated canopy species sometimes including Syncarpia glomulifera, Eucalyptus exserta and Corymbia intermedia (and with lower tree layers including species such as Allocasuarina littoralis, A. torulosa, Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora and Grevillea banksii). There is frequently a very sparse to mid-dense shrub layer, with dominants and associated species including Banksia robur, Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora, Allocasuarina littoralis and Grevillea banksii. Dominant species in the ground layer may include Themeda triandra, Xanthorrhoea fulva, Banksia robur, Schoenus brevifolius, Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora and Schoenus calostachyus. Cainozoic sand plains of uncertain age and origin on level to sloping (to undulating) plains. Possibly formed by deep in-situ weathering of metamorphosed sandstone. The geomorphology of this area appears to be fairly similar to that of the Cooloola-Noosa River area, where a low plain exists behind a large parabolic dune system and is said to be derived from both the sandstone hills to the west and the Cooloola sandmass, as well as lacustrine sediments and estuarine deposits (Thompson and Moore, 1984) however there appears to a greater (or younger) alluvial influence in this system. Mapped on geology types Qr,Tw, Qr and Qr>Ccs (Quaternary clay, silt, sand, gravel and soil; colluvial and residual deposits) and Ccs (Shoalwater Formation) Carboniferous quartzose sandstone and mudstone; local quartz-muscovite-biotite schist. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21a). |
| Supplementary description | Bailey et al. (2003), MV-2; Brushe et al. (in prep), c49 |
| Protected areas | Byfield NP |
| Special values | 8.5.7: Habitat for a number of species which are at the northern limit of their range, including Xanthorrhoea fulva, Pseudanthus orientalis, Sprengelia sprengelioides, Astrotricha intermedia, Baloskion pallens, Persoonia virgata, Phyllota phylicoides, Mirbelia rubiifolia and Patersonia sericea. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Late wet to early dry season, with occasional storm burns. INTENSITY: Low to moderate with most burns moderate. INTERVAL: 6-10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 6. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Apply mosaic burns across the target area; aim for 40-60% of area burnt. No more than 20% of Melaleuca communities should be burnt within the bioregion in any one year. ISSUES: Presence of high biomass grasses, lantana and rubbervine can increase fire severity and/or shade ground layer plants making burning difficult. Peat layers can be vulnerable in drier months; burn when peat layer water logged. |
| Comments | 8.5.7: Distinguished from all other land zone 5 regional ecosystems by the occurrence in subregions 4 and 5 only and by the presence of species such as Banksia robur and Eucalyptus latisinensis which do not occur in other subregions of the Central Qld Coast bioregion. Occurs in subregions 4 and 5, in the northern part of Island Head Creek, near Cockatoo Island (to the west of Port Clinton), and from near Mt Solitude (south of Port Clinton) to Black Creek (just north of Corio Bay). Generally in very good condition but some areas have suffered weed invasion. Susceptible to damage from road works which cause changes to the natural drainage and encourages weed establishment. |
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.
