Regional ecosystem details for 9.12.4
| Regional ecosystem | 9.12.4 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, 2, (5), (3), (6), (11.1), (7.4), (11.5), (7.6), (2.6), (7.5), (11.3), (10.3), (2.9) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 268000 ha; Remnant 2021 267000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus shirleyi and/or E. melanophloia and/or Corymbia peltata and/or Callitris intratropica low open woodland on igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Low Open Woodland |
| Description | Low open woodland to woodland of Eucalyptus shirleyi (silver-leaved ironbark) +/- Corymbia peltata (rustyjacket) +/- Callitris intratropica (cypress pine). The mid layer varies from absent to a mid-dense sub-canopy and/or shrub layer and the ground layer is dense and grassy. Occurs predominantly on sandy shallow soils derived from igneous rocks on rolling low hills to hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.12.4a: Low woodland to occasionally a low open forest of Eucalyptus shirleyi (silver-leaved ironbark) and Corymbia peltata (rustyjacket) +/- E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) (sens. lat.) +/- Corymbia spp. +/- Acacia leptostachya (slender wattle). E. melanophloia can sometimes occur. E. crebra may also occur as an emergent. A sub-canopy containing E. shirleyi, Alphitonia excelsa, Acacia spp. and Persoonia falcata (geebung) can occur. E. shirleyi can occur as a dense sub-canopy under C. peltata. The shrub layer varies from absent to mid-dense with an variable species mix including E. shirleyi, Denhamia cunninghamii (yellowberry bush), Acacia leptostachya, Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine), Persoonia falcata, Alphitonia spp. and Acacia spp. Xanthorrhoea johnsonii (grass-tree) can also occur in a lower shrub layer. The dense grassy ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon spp., Schizachyrium fragile (firegrass) and Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass). Occurs predominantly on sandy shallow soils derived from granitic or rhyolite geologies on rolling low hills to hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17b). 9.12.4b: Low open woodland of Eucalyptus shirleyi (silver-leaved ironbark) +/- Corymbia dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) +/- C. erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- Bursaria incana (prickly pine). The mid-layer is generally absent but scattered Denhamia spp. can occur. The dense grassy ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs predominantly on sandy shallow soils derived from granite or rhyolite on rolling low hills to hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17b). 9.12.4c: Low woodland to low open woodland of and Eucalyptus shirleyi (silver-leaved ironbark) and/or E. melanophloia (silver-leaved ironbark) and Callitris intratropica (cypress pine) +/- Corymbia peltata (rustyjacket) +/- C. leichhardtii (yellowjacket) +/- Acacia spp. A sparse sub-canopy layer can include canopy species, Dolichandrone alternifolia (lemonwood), Alphitonia pomaderroides and Petalostigma pubescens (quinine). The shrub layer contains juvenile canopy species +/- Xanthorrhoea johnsonii (grass-tree). Dominants in the grassy ground can include Schizachyrium fragile (firegrass), Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass) or Heteropogon spp. Occurs predominantly on sandy shallow soils derived from granite or rhyolite on rolling low hills to hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 20a). |
| Supplementary description | Perry et al. (1964): Georgetown Unit 1; Perry et al. (1964): Kilbogie; Perry et al. (1964): Leichhardt Unit 1 |
| Protected areas | Blackbraes NP, Ravenshoe FR 1, Dalrymple NP, Baldy Mountain FR, Paluma Range NP |
| Special values | 9.12.4: Habitat for the near threatened species Acacia jackesiana. |
| 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. Callitris intratropica are fire sensitive. Protect from fires until plants old enough to replace seed pool. |
| Comments | 9.12.4: Occurs extensively though the central and south-eastern bioregion. 9.12.4a: Occurs extensively though the central and south-eastern bioregion. 9.12.4b: Occurs in scattered patches in the southern bioregion. Vulnerable to the weed species Vachellia farnesiana (mimosa). 9.12.4c: Occurs in patches through-out the central 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.
