Regional ecosystem details for 9.3.3
| Regional ecosystem | 9.3.3 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 4, 2, 3, 1, (5), (3.1), (6), (2.6), (2.4), (2.9), (2.5), (3.5), (3.6), (11.3), (7.8), (7.9), (10.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 151000 ha; Remnant 2021 130000 ha |
| Short description | Corymbia spp. and Eucalyptus spp. dominated mixed woodland on alluvial flats, levees and plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Mixed woodland to open woodland often dominated by Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) but also including combinations of the species E. platyphylla (poplar gum), Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood), E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark), C. tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash), and Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood) +/- C. grandifolia subsp. grandifolia and C. polycarpa (long-fruited bloodwood). An open sub-canopy dominated by canopy species often occurs. An absent to a mid-dense shrub layer of Melaleuca spp., Planchonia careya (cocky apple), Carissa lanceolata (currantbush) and juveniles of canopy species can occur. The mid-dense to dense ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon spp., Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass) and Sarga plumosum (plume sorghum). Occurs on alluvial plains, terraces and levees. Soils are generally sandy alluvium. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.3.3a: Woodland to low open woodland of Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) +/- E. platyphylla (poplar gum) +/- Corymbia confertiflora (broad-leaved carbeen) +/- E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) or E. cullenii (Cullen's ironbark) +/- C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood). The subdominant species may be codominant in this community. An open sub-canopy of canopy species can occur. The shrub layer is absent to sparse and contain juvenile canopy species, Carissa lanceolata (currantbush) and Atalaya hemiglauca (whitewood). The dense grassy ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and Bothriochloa spp. (bluegrasses). Occurs on alluvial plains and terraces. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 9.3.3b: Mixed woodland including combinations of Corymbia tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash), Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark), E. platyphylla (poplar gum) and E. tereticornis (bluegum) and/or E. camaldulensis (river red gum) +/- C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood). A sub-canopy dominated by canopy species often occurs. The shrub-layer varies from none to scattered juvenile canopy species and Carissa lanceolata (currantbush) and Capparis lasiantha. The ground layer is dense grassy and is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on alluvial plains and terraces. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 9.3.3c: Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) +/- E. platyphylla (poplar gum) +/- Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- E. cullenii (Cullens ironbark) +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood) +/- Corymbia spp. The mixed sub-canopy is sparse to mid-dense and includes canopy species, Petalostigma pubescens (quinine) and Melaleuca spp. The shrub layer is sparse. The ground layer is mid-dense to dense and is dominated by the grasses Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass). Occurs on alluvial plains and terraces. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 9.3.3d: Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) +/- Corymbia polycarpa (long-fruited bloodwood) +/- Corymbia grandifolia subsp. grandifolia +/- Corymbia spp. The sub-canopy contains scattered canopy species, Terminalia spp., Lysiphyllum spp. and Grevillea spp. The shrub layer varies from none to sparse and includes Gardenia vilhelmii (breadfruit), Planchonia careya (cocky apple), Carissa lanceolata (currantbush) and juveniles of canopy species. There is a grassy ground layer usually dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on alluvial plains and levees. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). 9.3.3e: Woodland of Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood) +/- Corymbia spp. The shrub layer varies from none to sparse and includes juvenile canopy species and Planchonia careya (cocky apple). The ground layer is mid-dense to dense and is dominated by the grasses Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and H. triticeus (giant speargrass), Sarga plumosum (plume sorghum) and Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass). Alluvial flats and river levees. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 16b). |
| Protected areas | Littleton NP, Girringun NP, Dalrymple NP, Girringun CP, Blackbraes NP, Canyon RR, Bulleringa NP, Girringun RR, Undara Volcanic NP, Littleton RR, Dinden West FR, Kuranda West FR, Mount Lewis NP, Hann Tableland NP |
| Special values | 9.3.3: Significant habitat as drought refuge, wildlife corridors and for arboreal animals. |
| 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 | 9.3.3: Occurs extensively through-out the bioregion. 9.3.3a: This unit is distinguished from RE 9.3.2 by having Corymbia spp. and Eucalyptus spp. as a major component of the vegetation community. Occurs on alluvial plains in the central part of the bioregion. 9.3.3b: This unit is distinguished from 9.3.3d by not having E. leptophleba as a component of the community. Occurs from the Lynd Junction to Charters Towers in the south of the bioregion. 9.3.3c: Occurs in the northern part of the bioregion. 9.3.3d: This unit is distinguished from 9.3.3b by having E. leptophleba as a component of the community. Occurs in the west of the bioregion. 9.3.3e: Occurs close to the boundary with the Cape York Peninsula bioregion in the north 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.
