Regional ecosystem details for 9.11.5
| Regional ecosystem | 9.11.5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, (5), (10.3), (6), (2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 393000 ha; Remnant 2021 389000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus persistens +/- E. crebra woodland on low metamorphic hills |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Woodland to low woodland of Eucalyptus persistens (box) +/- E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark). Sub-dominants of other species may sometimes occur. There can be an open sub-canopy layer which can include canopy species, Terminalia oblongata (yellowwood), Eremophila mitchellii (false sandalwood) and Grevillea spp. The shrub layer varies from absent to dense and includes Erythroxylum australe (cocaine tree), Carissa lanceolata (currantbush), Eremophila mitchellii, Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine), Denhamia cunninghamii (yellowberry bush), Acacia burdekensis (Burdekin wattle) and other Acacia spp. The ground layer is sparse to dense and includes the grasses Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass), Aristida spp., and Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on hills and undulating rises on a variety of soil types on metamorphic geologies. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). |
| Protected areas | Girringun NP, Girringun CP, Dalrymple NP, Girringun RR |
| Special values | 9.11.5: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Leptospermum pallidum, Lepturus minutus. |
| 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 | 9.11.5: Occurs extensively from Greenvale to north of Charters Towers in the south of the bioregion. Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. |
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.
