Regional ecosystem details for 9.5.6
| Regional ecosystem | 9.5.6 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 6, 2, 4, (5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 66000 ha; Remnant 2021 62000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus leptophleba +/- Corymbia spp. woodland on yellow kandosols on Tertiary remnant surfaces |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) +/- Corymbia spp. The mid-layer is generally absent to isolated shrubs and the grassy ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on yellow kandosols on Tertiary plateau remnants. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.5.6a: Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) +/- Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- E. platyphylla (poplar gum) +/- C. tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash). The mid layer is generally isolated shrubs which may include Petalostigma pubescens (quinine), Melaleuca spp. and Acacia spp., Alphitonia pomaderroides and Grevillea glauca (bushman's clothes peg). There is a grassy ground layer usually dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on yellow kandosols and mapped as YEPR (yellow earths on gently undulating plains and plateaus on Tertiary lateritic remnants) by Grundy (1988). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18c). 9.5.6b: Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) and/or E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) (sens. lat.) and/or Corymbia dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) +/- E. platyphylla (poplar gum). The mid layer varies from absent to a moderate shrub or low tree layer which can include Petalostigma pubescens (quinine), Denhamia cunninghamii (yellowberry bush) and Carissa lanceolata (currantbush). The ground layer is often grassy and dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on yellow kandosols mapped as YEAN (yellow earths of the alluvial plains on non-basalt alluvium) by Grundy (1988). Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18c). |
| Supplementary description | Tracey (1982): 16h Tracey and Webb (1975): 16h |
| Protected areas | Blackbraes NP |
| 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 | 9.5.6: Associated with TQs on the geology map. Occurs on Tertiary plains surrounding the McBride basalts in the central bioregion. Subject to minor clearing. Threatened by logging/small scale clearing west of Mareeba and south of Mt Garnet. 9.5.6a: Occurs south-west of Ravenshoe in the central east of the bioregion. 9.5.6b: Associated with areas mapped as TQs on the Einasleigh (1994) geology map. Occurs near the Lynd Junction and south in the central 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.
