Regional ecosystem details for 9.12.3
| Regional ecosystem | 9.12.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 5, (3), (6), (2.6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 40000 ha; Remnant 2021 40000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus chartaboma +/- Eucalyptus spp. +/- Corymbia spp. woodland on sandy soils on igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Woodland to low woodland of Eucalyptus chartaboma (Queensland flaky-bark) and/or E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) or E. cullenii (Cullen's ironbark) or E. granitica +/- Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- E. tetrodonta (Darwin stringybark) +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) +/- C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood). There can be sub-canopy including canopy species, Grevillea glauca (bushman's clothes peg) and Petalostigma pubescens (quinine). The shrub layer is sparse to open and includes juveniles of canopy species, Grevillea spp., Petalostigma spp., Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved paperbark), Alphitonia pomaderroides and Planchonia careya (cocky apple). The dense ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon spp., Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass), Schizachyrium fragile (firegrass) and Sarga plumosum (plume sorghum). In the north of the bioregion the Eucalyptus crebra is replaced by E. cullenii. Small areas with C. trachyphloia (brown bloodwood) or E. similis (yellowjacket) may occur. Occurs in patches on footslopes, low hills, crests and ridges. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 14d). |
| Protected areas | Undara Volcanic NP, Canyon RR |
| Special values | 9.12.3: Old growth of this ecosystem is significant for a number of species including arboreal mammals. |
| 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. Avoid burning August-October when south-easterly winds are typically strongest. INTENSITY: Low, with occasional moderate or high. INTERVAL: 5-10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 5. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Apply mosaic across the landscape at a range of frequencies to create varying stages of post-fire response. ISSUES: These ecosystems contain shrubs that germinate after fire. Seedlings typically take a number of years to mature. Avoid repeated fires at short intervals and high intensity burns of broad areas. Leave areas of long unburnt vegetation to maintain a diversity of habitat for wildlife. Shrub species diversity will decline if areas are left long unburnt. |
| Comments | 9.12.3: Occurs in patches. Occurs mainly south of Chillagoe with several patches near Palmerville in the north 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.
