Regional ecosystem details for 9.12.13
| Regional ecosystem | 9.12.13 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 2.9 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 18000 ha; Remnant 2021 18000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus crebra +/- Corymbia peltata +/- C. pocillum +/- Callitris intratropica low woodland on hills and steep hills on igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Low woodland to woodland of Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) (sens. lat.) +/- Corymbia peltata (rustyjacket) +/- C. pocillum +/- Callitris intratropica (cypress pine). The mid layer is sparse to scattered Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) and Acacia spp. The ground layer is grassy. Occurs on steep, rocky hills on igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.12.13a: Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus crebra (sens. lat.) (narrow-leaved ironbark) +/- Corymbia peltata (rustyjacket) +/- C. pocillum +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood). The mid layer is absent to scattered shrubs of juvenile canopy species and Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine). The ground layer is grassy. Occurs on rugged rhyolite hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). 9.12.13b: Low open woodland to low woodland of Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) (sens. lat.) and Corymbia pocillum. The mid layer is sparse to scattered shrubs of Vachellia bidwillii (corkwood wattle) and Cycas spp. The sparse to mid-dense ground layer is dominated by Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass). Occurs on rocky igneous hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). 9.12.13c: Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) (sens. lat.) +/- Callitris intratropica (cypress pine) +/- Corymbia peltata (rustyjacket) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum). The mid layer varies from absent to a shrub layer of Callitris intratropica, Melaleuca citrolens (scrub teatree) and Acacia spp. The sparse ground layer is grassy. This community can also occur as a shrubland of Callitris intratropica with emergents. Occurs on rugged hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). |
| Protected areas | Canyon RR |
| Special values | 9.12.13: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Acacia armitii, Cycas cairnsiana. |
| 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. Cypress is fire sensitive; adults can die if crown is scorched. Protect from fires until plants old enough to replace seed pool. However, cypress can cause vegetation thickening in absence of fire or in heavily grazed areas. |
| Comments | 9.12.13: Occurs on the Newcastle Range in the west of the bioregion. Degraded by grazing pressure. 9.12.13a: Occurs on the Newcastle Range in the west of the bioregion. 9.12.13b: Occurs on the southern Newcastle Range in the west of the bioregion. 9.12.13c: Occurs on the Newcastle Range in the west of the bioregion. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13 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.
