Regional ecosystem details for 9.4.2
| Regional ecosystem | 9.4.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 4 |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 9000 ha; Remnant 2021 9000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus persistens or E. brownii open woodland with a shrub layer of Eremophila mitchellii, Psydrax oleifolia, Flindersia maculosa and Lysiphyllum spp. on clay lenses in Cainozoic plains |
| Structure code | Open Woodland |
| Description | Open woodland to woodland of Eucalyptus persistens (box) or E. brownii (box) +/- Ventilago viminalis (supplejack) +/- Lysiphyllum carronii (Queensland ebony) +/- E. crebra (sens. lat.) (narrow-leaved ironbark). The very open sub-canopy can contain canopy species as well as Eremophila mitchellii (false sandalwood) and Flindersia spp. A distinct open shrub layer includes canopy species, Psydrax oleifolia, Carissa spp. (currantbush), Erythroxylum australe (cocaine tree) and Capparis lasiantha. A patchy grassy cover often has Chrysopogon fallax (golden beard grass) Aristida spp. and Echinochloa spp. Occurs on plains on clay lenses within Cainozoic sediments. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). |
| 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 | 9.4.2: Occurs north of Charters Towers in the south 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.
