Regional ecosystem details for 9.12.2
| Regional ecosystem | 9.12.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 6, 4, 3, (2), (11.1), (5), (7.4), (7.5), (7.6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 116000 ha; Remnant 2021 115000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus portuensis, Corymbia citriodora subsp. citriodora, E. granitica or E. crebra, C. intermedia or C. clarksoniana mixed woodland on steep hills and ranges on igneous hills close to Wet Tropics boundary |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Mixed woodland to open forest including combinations of the species Eucalyptus portuensis (white mahogany), Corymbia citriodora subsp. citriodora (lemon-scented gum), E. granitica (granite ironbark) or E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark), C. intermedia (pink bloodwood) or C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- E. cloeziana (Gympie messmate) +/- Corymbia spp. There is often an open to mid-dense sub-canopy containing canopy species +/- Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved paperbark) +/- Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp mahogany) +/- C. leichhardtii (yellowjacket). The shrub layer varies from scattered shrubs to mid-dense and includes juvenile canopy species, Acacia flavescens (yellow wattle), Callitris intratropica (cypress pine), L. suaveolens, Xanthorrhoea johnsonii (grasstree) and Petalostigma pubescens (quinine). The dense grassy ground layer is generally dominated by Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass) +/- Heteropogon triticeus (giant speargrass) +/- Mnesithea rottboellioides (northern canegrass). In some areas, patches dominated by E. moluccana (gum-topped box) or E. cloeziana may occur. Occurs on rises, hill and ranges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9d). |
| Protected areas | Girringun NP, Paluma Range NP, Hann Tableland NP, Pinnacles NP, Girringun CP, Mount Windsor NP, Girringun RR, Mount Lewis NP |
| Special values | 9.12.2: Old growth of this ecosystem is significant for a number of species including arboreal mammals. Habitat for vulnerable flora species including Corymbia rhodops. |
| 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 | 9.12.2: The dominant species within this Regional Ecosystem can vary considerably and include a wide range of subdominant Eucalypt and Corymbia spp. Eucalyptus cloeziana mainly occurs on the boundary with the Wet Tropics. Occurs adjacent to the Wet Tropics bioregion from Mareeba south. Vulnerable to invasion by the weeds Praxelis clematidea and Melinis repens (Red Natal grass). |
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.
