Regional ecosystem details for 9.12.8
| Regional ecosystem | 9.12.8 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 2, 4, 6, 3, (5), (11.1), (1), (7.6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 11000 ha; Remnant 2021 11000 ha |
| Short description | Semi-evergreen vine thicket on rocky outcrops and shallow soils of igneous rocks |
| Structure code | Low Closed Forest |
| Description | Semi-evergreen vine thicket with occasional emergents. Occurs on hills and steep slopes with skeletal soils and frequent surface boulders. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.12.8a: Semi-evergreen vine thicket (5-10m) commonly containing Gossia bidwillii (Python tree), Gyrocarpus americanus (helicopter tree), Drypetes deplanchei (yellow tulipwood), Canarium australianum (scrub turpentine), Ficus spp. (figs), Brachychiton spp., Alectryon connatus, Pleiogynium timorense (Burdekin plum), Strychnos lucida (strychnine bush), Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Callitris intratropica (cypress pine), Cochlospermum gillivraei (kapok) and Acacia spp. An emergent layer (10-14m) is sometimes present and can include G. americanus, Brachychiton spp., Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) and Callitris intratropica. An open to dense shrub layer commonly includes Sersalisia sericea, Carissa ovata (currant bush), Capparis spp. (native orange), Erythroxylum australe (cocaine tree) and Larsenaikia ochreata (native Gardenia). The ground layer is often bare with a wide range of scattered grasses and forbs. Occurs on granitic or rhyolite outcrops and associated slopes and outwash. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7a). 9.12.8b: Scattered semi-evergreen vine thicket species on granite boulders and rock pavements. Occurs on granitic or rhyolite boulders and rock pavements. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 7a). |
| Supplementary description | Godwin and Jago (1998): Ca6; |
| Protected areas | Girringun NP, Chillagoe-Mungana Caves NP, Mount Lewis NP, Pinnacles NP |
| Special values | 9.12.8: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Dubouzetia saxatilis, Graptophyllum excelsum, Ipomoea saintronanensis, Panicum chillagoanum. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Do not burn deliberately. INTENSITY: Do not burn deliberately. INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Do not burn deliberately. Early dry season, low intensity burns in surrounding country to limit possibility of fire encroachment. ISSUES: Considered fire sensitive. Generally protected from fire by location in the landscape and few flammable grasses in understorey. Scorching of margins notable where there is disturbance, invasive high biomass grasses or lantana. Late dry season fires are particularly deleterious, leading to attrition of vine thicket. |
| Comments | 9.12.8: Occurs on granite outcrops through-out the bioregion. Prone to invasion by Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine). 9.12.8a: Occurs through-out the bioregion. 9.12.8b: Occurs through-out the 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.
