Regional ecosystem details for 9.11.8
| Regional ecosystem | 9.11.8 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 3, 4, (11.1), (2), (2.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 10000 ha; Remnant 2021 9000 ha |
| Short description | Semi-evergreen vine thicket on limestone rock outcrops |
| Structure code | Low Closed Forest |
| Description | Semi-evergreen vine thicket. Occurs on karst limestone. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.11.8a: Semi-evergreen vine thicket commonly containing Gyrocarpus americanus (helicopter tree), often occurring as an emergent, as well as Premna dallachyana, Brachychiton chillagoensis (Chillagoe kurrajong), B. australis (broad-leaved bottle-tree), Lysiphyllum hookeri (white Bauhinia), Drypetes deplanchei, Ficus henneana (deciduous fig), F. virens (white fig), and Geijera salicifolia (narrow-leaved wilga). A sub-canopy and/or shrub layer can also contain Terminalia aridicola (arid peach), T. subacroptera, Alectryon tropicus, Flueggea leucopyrus, Capparis spp. and Ficus opposita (sandpaper fig). The ground layer is generally sparse but often contains Panicum effusum, Scleria mackaviensis and Ancistrachne uncinulata (hooky grass). Vines species commonly found are Glossocarya calcicola, Jasminum didymum (native jasmine), Cissus spp. and Cayratia cardiophylla. Occurs on limestone karst near Chillagoe. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7a). 9.11.8b: Semi-evergreen vine thicket commonly containing Brachychiton australis (broad-leaved bottle-tree) and Gyrocarpus americanus (helicopter tree), with both often occurring as emergents, as well as Lysiphyllum hookeri (white Bauhinia), Diospyros humilis, Drypetes deplanchei, Pleiogynium timorense (Burdekin plum), Denhamia oleaster, Exocarpos latifolius (broad-leaved native cherry) and Geijera salicifolia (narrow-leaved wilga). A sub-canopy and/or shrub layer can also contain Notelaea microcarpa (native olive), Ehretia membranifolia (peach bush), Psydrax oleifolia, Alectryon connatus, Carissa ovata (currant bush), Flueggea leucopyrus, Capparis spp. and Ficus spp. The ground layer is generally sparse but often contains Cyperus gracilis and Ancistrachne uncinulata (hooky grass). Vines species commonly found are Plantago spp., Jasminum didymum (native jasmine), Cissus spp. and Parsonsia lanceolata. Occurs on limestone karst around Broken River. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7a). 9.11.8x1: Acacia cambagei tall shrubland to low woodland often with Eremophila mitchellii and Atalaya hemiglauca. Occurs on low metamorphic hills and rises. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 26a). |
| Protected areas | Chillagoe-Mungana Caves NP |
| Special values | 9.11.8: Includes caves and associated specialised fauna and flora. Particularly significant for breeding for some bat species. Habitat for threatened plant species including Croton magneticus, Dendrobium bigibbum, Lepturus minutus, Macropteranthes montana, Panicum chillagoanum and Stictocardia queenslandica. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Do not burn deliberately. INTENSITY: Do not burn deliberately. INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not burn deliberately. Early dry season, low intensity burns in surrounding country to limit possibility of fire encroachment. ISSUES: Considered fire sensitive. Generally protected from fire by location in the landscape and few flammable grasses in understorey. Scorching of margins notable where there is disturbance, invasive high biomass grasses or lantana. Late dry season fires are particularly deleterious, leading to attrition of vine thicket. |
| Comments | 9.11.8: Distinguished from 9.11.9 by being specifically on limestone. Concentrated around two areas near Chillagoe and Broken River. Some clearing associated with the red soils in the north. Very prone to invasion by Lantana camara, Cryptostegia grandiflora and Ziziphus mauritiana. 9.11.8a: Occurs in the north of the bioregion, particularly around Chillagoe and Palmerville. Very prone to invasion by Lantana camara, Cryptostegia grandiflora and Ziziphus mauritiana. 9.11.8b: Occurs in the south of the bioregion, particularly around Broken River. 9.11.8x1: North of the Burdekin River near Charters Towers. |
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.
