Regional ecosystem details for 9.11.22
| Regional ecosystem | 9.11.22 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 1, 2, (5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 8000 ha; Remnant 2021 8000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus melanophloia +/- Corymbia erythrophloia +/- Terminalia platyptera low woodland on metamorphic hills |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Low woodland to low open woodland of Eucalyptus melanophloia (silver-leaved ironbark) +/- Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- Terminalia platyptera (yellow-wood) +/- E. microneura (Georgetown box) and/or C. erythrophloia emergents. E. microneura may dominate at the base of hills. A sparse to mid-dense shrub layer of Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) +/- Acacia spp., +/- Alphitonia spp. +/- Gardenia vilhelmii (breadfruit) is present. The grassy ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass), Schizachyrium spp. (firegrass) and Aristida spp. Occurs on rolling hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13a). |
| Supplementary description | Perry et al. (1964): Townley Unit 4; Perry et al. (1964): Leichhardt Unit 1 |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Early dry season and storm time. Timing of early dry season burns will vary depending on seasonal conditions; it may sometimes commence as early as March. INTENSITY: Low, with occasional moderate. INTERVAL: 2-5 year intervals with longer unburnt patches. Fuel loads tend to reach a maximum after 2-3 years. Ensure burn programs occur after big wet season as fuel loads will be higher than average. INTERVAL_MIN: 2. INTERVAL_MAX: 5. STRATEGY: Burn less than 40% across the landscape in any year. Burning through the early dry season will produce a network of burns that will contain later fires. Fires will only gain in intensity as the dry season progresses. Grass composition can be affected by timing and intensity of fire. Occasional moderate fire will help to reduce overabundant trees that could potentially suppress ground layer vegetation. ISSUES: Leave areas of long unburnt vegetation to maintain a diversity of habitat for wildlife. |
| Comments | 9.11.22: Is distinguished from 9.11.1 by the different subdominant species. It also has a more northerly distribution (subregion 1 and 2) than 9.11.1. Occurs from Georgetown to Chillagoe in the west and north of the bioregion. Vulnerable to invasion by exotic weed species Mesosphaerum suaveolens and Malvastrum americanum (spiked Malvastrum). |
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.
