Regional ecosystem details for 9.12.6
| Regional ecosystem | 9.12.6 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, 2, (2.6), (5), (2.4), (2.9) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 232000 ha; Remnant 2021 231000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus microneura +/- Terminalia spp. +/- Corymbia spp. low open woodland on igneous hills |
| Structure code | Low Open Woodland |
| Description | Low open woodland to low woodland of Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) +/- Terminalia spp. +/- Corymbia spp. The mid layers are generally absent or open, though in some cases shrublands can occur with E. microneura emergents. The ground is sparse to mid-dense and grassy. Occurs on rolling hills of acid or intermediate igneous geologies. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.12.6a: Low open woodland to low woodland of Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) +/- Terminalia spp. +/- Corymbia pocillum. In taller communities a sub-canopy of canopy species +/- Erythroxylum ellipticum (kerosene wood) can occur. The shrub layer varies from a sparse to mid-dense and includes canopy species, Dolichandrone alternifolia (lemonwood), Gardenia vilhelmii (breadfruit), Carissa lanceolata (currantbush) and Lysiphyllum spp. The dense grassy ground layer is dominated by Aristida spp., Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and Schizachyrium spp. (firegrass). In some areas Terminalia platyptera (yellow-wood) may be codominant. Cochlospermum gillivraei (kapok) and Terminalia aridicola (arid peach) can occur on rocky outcrops. Occurs on rolling rhyolite or granitic hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13b). 9.12.6b: Low open woodland to low woodland of Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) +/- Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) +/- Terminalia platyptera (yellow-wood). The mid layer varies from absent to an open shrub layer that can include juvenile canopy species, Carissa lanceolata (currantbush), Melaleuca citrolens (scrub teatree), Atalaya hemiglauca (whitewood), Denhamia cunninghamii (yellowberry bush), Gardenia vilhelmii (breadfruit) and Petalostigma spp. There is a sparse to grassy ground layer dominated by Schizachyrium spp., Aristida spp. and Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on granitic or rhyolite hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13b). 9.12.6c: Low woodland to low open woodland of Melaleuca citrolens (scrub teatree) +/- Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) +/- Terminalia spp. E. microneura can also be an emergent. There is usually no mid layer though scattered Carissa lanceolata (currantbush) can occur. The sparse to moderate ground layer is grassy and dominated by Aristida spp. and Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on rolling granitic or rhyolite hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). 9.12.6d: Open shrubland of Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) with emergents of Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) or Eucalyptus tetrodonta (Darwin stringybark). May also contain patches of Acacia leptostachya (slender wattle). Occurs on rolling granitic or rhyolite hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13b). 9.12.6e: Low woodland of Eucalyptus provecta. The shrub is absent to open and dominated by Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine). There is a grassy ground layer. Occurs on edges of creek lines and breakaways on low granitic or rhyolite hills and rises. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18d). |
| Protected areas | Bulleringa NP, Canyon RR, Littleton NP |
| Special values | 9.12.6: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Euphorbia carissoides, Macropteranthes montana. |
| 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 | 9.12.6: Widespread in the west of the bioregion. 9.12.6a: Occurs from Georgetown to Bulleringa in the west of the bioregion. 9.12.6b: Occurs between Einasleigh and Chillagoe in the central west of the bioregion. 9.12.6c: Occurs east of the Newcastle Range in the west of the bioregion. 9.12.6d: Occurs in a restricted range east of Croydon in the far west of the bioregion. 9.12.6e: Occurs in isolated patches near Georgetown in the 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.
