Regional ecosystem details for 9.5.13
| Regional ecosystem | 9.5.13 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 1, 2, 2.9, 3, 5, 2.4, (2.5), (3.6), (3.1), (3.2), (2.6), (3.5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 36000 ha; Remnant 2021 36000 ha |
| Short description | Melaleuca citrolens and/or Macropteranthes montana low woodland with Eucalyptus spp. emergents on Tertiary sand sheets |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Low woodland to low open woodland of Melaleuca citrolens (scrub teatree) and/or Macropteranthes montana. The mid layer varies from none to scattered mixed shrubs and the mid-dense to grassy ground layer can include Schizachyrium spp. or Aristida spp. Occurs on plains, low rises and small hill tops. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.5.13a: Low woodland to low open woodland of Melaleuca citrolens (scrub teatree) +/- M. viridiflora (broad-leaved paperbark) +/- Terminalia spp. +/- Eremophila mitchellii (false sandalwood) +/- emergents of Eucalyptus microneura (Georgetown box) or E. tardecidens and/or E. cullenii (Cullen's ironbark). There can be scattered Melaleuca spp. in the sub-canopy. The shrub layer varies from none to open and can include Gardenia vilhelmii (breadfruit), M. citrolens, Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) and Carissa lanceolata (currantbush). There is a mid-dense to grassy ground layer which can contain Schizachyrium spp. or Aristida spp. E. microneura or E. tardecidens can sometimes be codominant in this community. Occurs on Tertiary plains and low rises. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). 9.5.13b: Low woodland to low open woodland of Macropteranthes montana, Melaleuca citrolens (scrub teatree) +/- Eremophila mitchellii (false sandalwood). The open shrub layer can contain juvenile canopy species and Carissa lanceolata (currantbush). The patchy grassy ground layer is often dominated by Schizachyrium spp. and Aristida spp. Occurs on plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). 9.5.13c: Tall shrubland of Melaleuca citrolens (scrub teatree) usually with M. foliolosa (scale-leaved teatree). A sparse low shrub layer is usually present. The ground layer is short and very sparse, with Aristida spp. (three-awned speargrass), Eriachne spp. (wanderrie grass) and Fimbristylis spp. being the most commonly encountered species. Bare areas are common. Occurs on footslopes and colluvial sediments. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). |
| Protected areas | Littleton NP, Mount Lewis NP, Littleton RR |
| Special values | 9.5.13: Habitat for the vulnerable plant species Macropteranthes montana. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Burn in association with timeframes of surrounding country. INTENSITY: Do not burn deliberately. Can occasionally tolerate low intensity fire. INTERVAL: Consider broad fire interval such as 4-6 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 4. INTERVAL_MAX: 6. STRATEGY: Apply mosaic across the landscape to create patches of uneven aged regeneration. ISSUES: Melaleuca typically grows amongst open eucalypt woodland communities and should be managed with fire in association with surrounding country. However high intensity fire may slow or prevent regeneration. |
| Comments | 9.5.13: Scattered through various land systems. Occurs in scattered patches through the west, central and northern bioregion. 9.5.13a: Occurs near Mount Molloy and Mount Surprise in the central bioregion. 9.5.13b: Restricted occurrence east of Bulleringa National Park in the central west of the bioregion. 9.5.13c: Occurs north-east of Lakeland Downs in the northern end 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.
