Regional ecosystem details for 9.3.21
| Regional ecosystem | 9.3.21 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 3, 3.1, 2.4, (2.6) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 6000 ha; Remnant 2021 5000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus chlorophylla +/- Corymbia clarksoniana +/- Terminalia spp. woodland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus chlorophylla (glossy-leaved box) +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood) +/- Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- Terminalia platyptera (yellow-wood) +/- Melaleuca stenostachya (teatree). A very sparse sub-canopy of Hakea persiehana, Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved paperbark) and Erythrophleum chlorostachys is sometimes present. A shrub layer is rarely formed, but scattered Dolichandrone alternifolia (lemonwood), Grewia savannicola, M. viridiflora, Flueggea virosa subsp. melanthesoides and Erythrophleum chlorostachys shrubs may be present. The ground layer is sparse to dense and Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass), T. arguens, Sarga plumosum (plume sorghum), Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and H. triticeus (giant speargrass) are frequent dominant grasses. Occurs extensively on alluvial plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16c). |
| 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 | 9.3.21: This unit has affinities with Cape York Peninsula regional ecosystems 3.3.16 and 3.3.36. Cymbidium canaliculatum is a frequent epiphyte on trees in this unit. Occurs around Lakeland Downs the far north of 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.
