Regional ecosystem details for 9.12.38
| Regional ecosystem | 9.12.38 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, (4), (2.6), (1), (6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 97000 ha; Remnant 2021 97000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia shirleyi +/- Eucalyptus shirleyi woodland on igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Woodland to low woodland of Acacia shirleyi (lancewood) +/- Eucalyptus shirleyi (silver-leaved ironbark) with a usually absent shrub layer and sparse ground layer. Occurs on tops of rugged igneous hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.12.38a: Woodland to low open woodland of Acacia shirleyi (lancewood) +/- Eucalyptus shirleyi (silver-leaved ironbark) +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood) +/- Corymbia pocillum +/- Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box). The shrub layer varies from absent to scattered juveniles of the canopy species, Alphitonia pomaderroides (soapbush), Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) and Gardenia vilhelmii (breadfruit). The sparse to dense grassy ground layer is dominated by Aristida spp. and Schizachyrium spp., while sometimes including Triodia spp. (spinifex). Occurs on rugged rhyolite or granitic hills and outcrops. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). 9.12.38b: Woodland to open forest of Acacia shirleyi (lancewood) +/- Corymbia peltata (rustyjacket) +/- E. shirleyi (silver-leaved ironbark). A sub-canopy and/or shrub layer can contain A. shirleyi, Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) and Alphitonia excelsa. The sparse to mid-dense grassy ground layer is dominated by Aristida spp. Occurs on low rhyolite or granitic hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). |
| Protected areas | Bulleringa NP, Canyon RR |
| Special values | 9.12.38: Some vegetation communities within this regional ecosystem contain near threatened and threatened species and have old growth values. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: 10-50 years generally following periods of high rainfall and sufficient grass growth. INTERVAL_MIN: 10. INTERVAL_MAX: 50. STRATEGY: Maintain fire management of surrounding country so that wildfires will be very limited in extent and do not penetrate Lancewood forests. ISSUES: Although fire promotes the germination of Lancewood seedlings, trees are killed by all but the lowest intensity fires. Lancewood trees typically require approximately 20 years before seedlings mature. Often the lack of grass layer inhibits fire spread into these forests, and they will regenerate after occasional wildfires. Damaged by repeated fires < 20 years. Manage surrounding woodlands so that wildfires do not burn large areas of Lancewood forest in a single event. |
| Comments | 9.12.38: Occurs in two distinct communities in the north-west and the south-east of the bioregion. 9.12.38a: Occurs from Newcastle Range to Bulleringa NP. in the central west and north of the bioregion. 9.12.38b: Occurs south east of Greenvale in the south 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.
