Regional ecosystem details for 9.12.33
| Regional ecosystem | 9.12.33 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, 2.9, (2.4), (2.5), (2.6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 263000 ha; Remnant 2021 263000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus microneura +/- Corymbia pocillum low open woodland on igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Low Open Woodland |
| Description | Low open woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) and / or Eucalyptus distans. In some patches Corymbia pocillum may dominant the canopy. The shrub layer is most frequently absent, though clumped shrublands of Acacia leptostachya (slender wattle) or Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) can occur. Occurs on rolling hills on predominantly igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.12.33a: Low open woodland or scattered individuals of Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) and / or E. distans +/- Corymbia pocillum +/- E. melanophloia (silver-leaved ironbark) +/- Corymbia spp. The mid layer is generally absent, but scattered canopy species, Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) +/- Gardenia vilhelmii (breadfruit) may occur. There are sometimes patches of P. banksii shrubland with emergent canopy species. The sparse to dense ground layer is grassy and dominated by Schizachyrium spp. (firegrass), Aristida spp. and Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on rolling hills on igneous rocks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13b). 9.12.33b: Low woodland to woodland of Acacia julifera subsp. Gilbertensis (slender wattle) +/- Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) +/- Corymbia pocillum +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood) emergents. The sparse mid layer is shrubs of Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) and other mixed species. The sparse ground layer is grassy. Occurs on rocky outcrops within 9.12.33. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). 9.12.33c: Open woodland of Corymbia pocillum +/- Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) +/- E. distans +/- E. chartaboma (Queensland flaky-bark) +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood). A very sparse shrub layer of Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) +/- Acacia julifera (catkin wattle) is present. The sparse ground layer is dominated by Sarga plumosum (plume sorghum) and Schizachyrium fragile (firegrass). Occurs on hilly terrain with shallow soil on granite and sandy outwash from granite or rhyolite hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13b). |
| Protected areas | Littleton NP, Littleton RR |
| 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 | 9.12.33: This regional ecosystem is distinguished from 9.12.6 by the structure and the subdominant species. Occurs extensively in the west of the bioregion. 9.12.33a: Occurs extensively near Croydon in the far west of the bioregion. 9.12.33b: Occurs north of Croydon in the far west of the bioregion. 9.12.33c: Occurs in the far west 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.
