Regional ecosystem details for 9.12.17
| Regional ecosystem | 9.12.17 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 6, 3, (7.4), (7.9) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 19000 ha; Remnant 2021 18000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus atrata +/- Corymbia citriodora subsp. citriodora +/- E. portuensis woodland on mountains and hills on igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Woodland to open forest of Eucalyptus atrata (Herberton ironbark) +/- Corymbia citriodora subsp. citriodora (lemon-scented gum) +/- E. portuensis (white mahogany) or E. mediocris +/- E. cloeziana (Gympie messmate). The shrub layer varies from absent to scattered Petalostigma pubescens, Grevillea glauca (bushman's clothes peg), Persoonia falcata (geebung) and Callitris intratropica (cypress pine). Callitris intratropica may occur in the canopy layer in the northern end of this community. The sparse to mid-dense ground layer is dominated by a variety of species including Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass), Aristida spp., Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass), Sarga plumosum (plume sorghum) and Xanthorrhoea johnsonii (grass-tree). The subdominants in this community can vary in density and species composition. Occurs on steep hills & slopes of mountains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). |
| Protected areas | Mount Lewis NP, Hann Tableland NP, Mount Windsor NP, Baldy Mountain FR |
| Special values | 9.12.17: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Goodenia stirlingii, Coleus amoenus. |
| 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 | 9.12.17: Occurs adjacent to the Wet Tropics bioregion in the central and northern 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.
