Regional ecosystem details for 9.3.5
| Regional ecosystem | 9.3.5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 2, 4, 5, (2.9), (6), (11.4), (10.3) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 60000 ha; Remnant 2021 59000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus brownii +/- Eucalyptus spp. +/- Corymbia spp. open woodland on alluvial plains |
| Structure code | Open Woodland |
| Description | Open woodland to woodland of Eucalyptus brownii (Reid River box) +/- E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) +/- Corymbia dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) +/- E. leptophleba (Molloy red box) +/- E. camaldulensis (river red gum). There may be a very open sub-canopy that can contain E. brownii, Atalaya hemiglauca (whitewood) and Grevillea striata (beefwood). The shrub layer varies from absent to mid-dense and can include canopy species, Eremophila mitchellii (false sandalwood), Carissa lanceolata (currantbush) and Acacia victoriae (gundabluey). The ground layer varies from open to dense and can contain a variety of species including Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass), Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass), Chrysopogon fallax (golden beard grass) and Bothriochloa spp. (bluegrasses). Occurs on alluvial plains and depressions in sandplains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 17a). |
| Protected areas | Blackbraes NP, Porcupine Gorge NP, Girringun NP, Girringun CP, Girringun RR |
| 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 | 9.3.5: In the south west of the bioregion this community includes some areas of E. brownii on sandplains. Occurs on alluvial plains in the southern half of the bioregion. Subject to invasion by weeds Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine), Vachellia farnesiana (mimosa), Melinis repens (Red Natal grass), Lantana camara and Malvastrum americanum (spiked Malvastrum). Subject to introduction of pasture grasses such as Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass). |
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.
