Regional ecosystem details for 9.12.36
| Regional ecosystem | 9.12.36 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 5, (1), (3), (2.6), (6), (4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 186000 ha; Remnant 2021 185000 ha |
| Short description | Cochlospermum gregorii or C. gillivraei deciduous low woodland on rocky outcrops |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Deciduous low woodland to low open woodland of Cochlospermum gregorii (kapok) or C. gillivraei (kapok) +/- Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood). The shrub layer is often sparse though a shrubland of Acacia leptostachya (slender wattle) or Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine can occur. The grass layer varies from sparse to mid-dense. Occurs on rocky outcrops and tops of hills with granitic or rhyolite boulders to the surface. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 27c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.12.36a: Low open woodland to low woodland of Cochlospermum gregorii or C. gillivraei (kapok) +/- Terminalia spp. +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood) +/- Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- Brachychiton spp. The subdominants can include vine thicket species such as Ficus opposita (sandpaper fig), Drypetes deplanchei (yellow tulipwood), Sersalisia sericea (wild prune, mongo) and Homalium brachybotrys. A sparse to open mixed shrub layer can include canopy species, Persoonia falcata, Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine), Grevillea mimosoides and Acacia spp. The ground layer is often dominated by Aristida spp., Schizachyrium spp. and Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on rocky outcrops and tops of hills with granitic or rhyolite boulders to the surface. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 27c). 9.12.36b: Low open woodland to low woodland of Acacia leptostachya (slender wattle) +/- Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) +/- Cochlospermum gregorii or C. gillivraei (kapok) +/- Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood) or C. pocillum +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood). Eucalyptus microneura often occurs as an emergent. The shrub layer is of scattered plants and can include Grevillea spp., Acacia spp. and Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine). The sparse to dense grassy ground layer is dominated by Aristida spp. and Schizachyrium fragile (firegrass). Occurs on steep rocky granitic or rhyolite hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). 9.12.36c: Low open woodland to shrubland of Acacia leptostachya (slender wattle) and/or Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) +/- Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood). Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood) and/or Corymbia erythrophloia may occur as emergents. Scattered P. banksii can occur in the shrub layer. The sparse ground layer is grassy and dominated by Aristida spp. and Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on granitic or rhyolite hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). |
| Supplementary description | Perry et al. (1964): Leichhardt Unit 1; Perry et al. (1964): Georgetown Unit 1; Perry et al. (1964): Belmore Unit 1 and Unit 2 |
| Protected areas | Canyon RR, Undara Volcanic NP, Bulleringa NP, Forty Mile Scrub NP |
| Special values | 9.12.36: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Acacia guymeri, Cycas cairnsiana, Euphorbia carissoides, Macropteranthes montana. 9.12.36a: Habitat for the vulnerable plant species Cycas cairnsiana. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: 10-50 years generally following periods of high rainfall and sufficient grass growth. INTERVAL_MIN: 10. INTERVAL_MAX: 50. STRATEGY: Burn surrounding country to mitigate intensity and extent of unplanned fire. ISSUES: A. leptostachya are obligate seeders and require fire-free intervals of 5-8 years to maintain community. Vulnerable to frequent and high intensity fire. |
| Comments | 9.12.36: This regional ecosystem occurs within RE 9.12.1, RE 9.12.6 and RE 9.12.15. Occurs throughout the central west and northern bioregion. 9.12.36a: Occurs extensively from Lyndhurst to Kondaparinga in the central and northern bioregion. 9.12.36b: In the northern part of the Newcastle Range, this community can occur as a woodland of the subdominants with Acacia leptostachya as a mid layer. Occurs mainly on and around the northern Newcastle Range in the west of the bioregion. 9.12.36c: Occurs mainly east of Einasleigh in the central bioregion. |
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.
