Regional ecosystem details for 9.11.24
| Regional ecosystem | 9.11.24 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, (2.6), (2.9) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 83000 ha; Remnant 2021 83000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus microneura or Melaleuca citrolens or E. whitei low open woodland with Triodia spp. ground layer on metamorphic low gravelly hills and rises |
| Structure code | Low Open Woodland |
| Description | Low open woodland of Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) or E. whitei (White's ironbark), which can also grade into a low woodland to low open woodland of Melaleuca citrolens (scrub teatree) +/- E. microneura +/- E. whitei. The shrub layer varies from absent to open and the ground layer is usually dominated by Triodia spp. (spinifex). Occurs on light brown stony lithosols on low gravelly hills and rises. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.11.24a: Low open woodland of Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) +/- Terminalia platyptera (yellow-wood) +/- Melaleuca citrolens (scrub teatree). The shrub layer is generally absent to open and include juvenile E. microneura, Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine), Gardenia vilhelmii (breadfruit) and Acacia spp. Occasionally a dense low shrub layer can contain Dodonaea physocarpa (hop-bush), Jacksonia spp. or Acacia gonoclada. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia pungens (spinifex) with Aristida spp. and Schizachyrium spp. (firegrass) also often present. Occurs on slopes and hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13b). 9.11.24b: Low open woodland of Eucalyptus whitei (White's ironbark) +/- E. microneura (Georgetown box) +/- Corymbia pocillum. The shrub layer is usually absent but scattered Denhamia cunninghamii (yellowberry bush), Melaleuca citrolens (scrub teatree) and Carissa lanceolata (currantbush) can occur. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia spp. (spinifex) or Aristida spp. but Schizachyrium spp. (firegrasses) are often present. Occurs on slopes and hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13a). 9.11.24c: Low woodland to low open woodland of Melaleuca citrolens (scrub teatree) +/- Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) +/- E. whitei (White's ironbark). E. microneura and E. whitei can also be emergent. The shrub layer is often absent but isolated shrubs of juveniles of canopy species, Denhamia cunninghamii (yellowberry bush) and Carissa lanceolata (currantbush) can occur. The ground layer is dominated by Triodia spp. (spinifex) with some patches of open grassland. Occurs on ridge crests. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). |
| Supplementary description | Perry et al. (1964): Georgetown; Perry et al. (1964): Belmore; Perry et al. (1964): Townley- no direct equivalent; Perry et al. (1964): Ortona Unit 3 |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Wet to mid-dry season while soil retains moisture. INTENSITY: Low to occasional moderate. INTERVAL: Interval will depend on need for burning, seasonal conditions and grazing pressure. Approximately 5-10 years. Do not burn during drought years. Concentrate burning during wet years. INTERVAL_MIN: 5. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Patchy burns are preferred. Mosaic 50-80% of area targeted. Burn under conditions of good soil moisture and when plants are actively growing. Burns during dry periods may leave areas of soil exposed, leading to erosion. ISSUES: Establishment of areas of long unburnt vegetation will maintain a diversity of habitat. Spinifex responds to low intensity burning following the first summer rains. De-stock burnt spinifex areas for many months in good seasons or several growing seasons in a run of dry years. |
| Comments | 9.11.24: This regional ecosystem is made up of all three vegetation communities which combine to make a distinctive landscape pattern. Occurs on low stony hills and rises west of Forsayth in the west of the bioregion. 9.11.24a: Occurs on low stony hills and rises west of Forsayth in the west of the bioregion. 9.11.24b: Occurs on low stony hills and rises west of Forsayth. 9.11.24c: Occurs on low stony hills and rises west of Forsayth in the west of the bioregion. |
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.
