Regional ecosystem details for 9.12.24
| Regional ecosystem | 9.12.24 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, (11.1), (10.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 49000 ha; Remnant 2021 49000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus drepanophylla or E. crebra and/or E. xanthoclada and Corymbia peltata woodland on igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus drepanophylla (grey ironbark) or E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) and/or E. xanthoclada (yellow-branched ironbark) and Corymbia peltata (rustyjacket) +/- C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood). The shrub layer is absent to mid-dense and include a range of species. The sparse to dense ground layer is often dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on undulating low hills to hills on igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.12.24a: Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus xanthoclada (yellow-branched ironbark), Corymbia peltata (rustyjacket) +/- C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood). A sub-canopy often occurs and can contain Persoonia falcata, Alphitonia excelsa, Grevillea spp., Petalostigma spp., Melaleuca nervosa (woodland paperbark) and Bursaria incana (prickly pine). A mid-dense shrub layer can contain a range of species including Denhamia cunninghamii (yellowberry bush), Larsenaikia ochreata and Xanthorrhoea johnsonii (grass-tree). The sparse to mid-dense grassy ground cover is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and Aristida spp. In some cases the ironbark species can include E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) or E. whitei (White's ironbark). Occurs on igneous hills and associated slopes. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). 9.12.24b: Woodland to low open woodland of Corymbia peltata (rustyjacket) and Eucalyptus drepanophylla (grey ironbark) +/- C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- C. erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- E. melanophloia (silver-leaved ironbark). An open sub-canopy layer can contain canopy species, Melaleuca nervosa (woodland paperbark), Bursaria incana (prickly pine), Grevillea glauca (bushman's clothes peg) and Petalostigma pubescens (quinine). The shrub layer is absent to scattered canopy species and the dense grassy ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on low to rolling rocky igneous hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). 9.12.24c: Open woodland to woodland of Eucalyptus drepanophylla (grey ironbark) or E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark), Corymbia dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) and C. peltata (rustyjacket) +/- E. persistens (box) +/- Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood). Occurs on low rolling igneous hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13c). |
| 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 | 9.12.24: Occurs in patches through-out the southern bioregion. 9.12.24a: Occurs east and west of Charters Towers in the south of the bioregion. 9.12.24b: Occurs from Mt Zero to Mingela in the south east of the bioregion. Prone to invasion by Melinis repens (Red Natal grass). 9.12.24c: Occurs south east of Greenvale in the central south 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.
