Regional ecosystem details for 9.12.32
| Regional ecosystem | 9.12.32 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, 2, (11.1), (6), (11.5), (11.3), (5), (11.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 78000 ha; Remnant 2021 76000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus persistens woodland on rhyolites and granites |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus persistens (box) +/- E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark). Scattered E. persistens can occur in the sub-canopy. The absent to open shrub layer can contain a mixture of species including Denhamia cunninghamii (yellowberry bush), Carissa spp., Atalaya hemiglauca (whitewood), Eremophila mitchellii (false sandalwood) and Erythroxylum australe (cocaine tree). The ground layer is sparse to dense grassy and can include Aristida spp., Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass) and occasionally Triodia spp. (spinifex). Occurs on shallow soils on, generally rhyolitic, low hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.12.32x1: Low woodland to low open woodland of Eucalyptus tardecidens (box) or E. chlorophylla +/- Corymbia spp. +/- E. cullenii (Cullen's ironbark) +/- Melaleuca spp. A sparse sub-canopy can include canopy species, Melaleuca spp. or Terminalia spp. The shrub layer is sparse to open and can include Petalostigma spp., Melaleuca stenostachya (teatree), Denhamia cunninghamii (yellowberry bush), Acacia spp. and Santalum lanceolatum (sandalwood). The ground layer can vary from mainly bare soil and rock to a dense cover of grasses including Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass), Aristida spp. and Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass). Occurs on rolling low hills to steep hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). 9.12.32x2: Melaleuca borealis shrubland to tall shrubland. Commonly with Eucalyptus persistens and / or Callitris intratropica as emergents. No mid layer and a sparse grassy ground layer often dominated by Schizachyrium fragile. Occurs on low hills, commonly on edge of Tertiary plateaus. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). |
| Protected areas | Forty Mile Scrub NP |
| Special values | 9.12.32: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Macropteranthes montana. 9.12.32x1: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Acacia guymeri, Acacia purpureopetala, Cucumis costatus. |
| 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 | 9.12.32: Occurs in the central and south-eastern bioregion. 9.12.32x1: Occurs extensively from Chillagoe to Lakeland Downs in the north of the bioregion. Subject to degradation from high total grazing pressure. 9.12.32x2: May also occur on weathered lithosols overlying granite. Occurs sporadically across the bioregion. Common on western edge of 40 mile scrub national park. |
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.
