Regional ecosystem details for 9.5.8
| Regional ecosystem | 9.5.8 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 3.1, 2, 3, (2.6), (6), (2.4), (5), (7.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 59000 ha; Remnant 2021 50000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus cullenii and/or E. leptophleba woodland on undulating plains on remnant Tertiary surfaces |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus cullenii (Cullen's ironbark) and/or E. leptophleba (Molloy red box) +/- Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood). Eucalyptus tardecidens (box) may also occur as a subdominant in northern extent of this regional ecosystem. A sparse shrub layer includes Petalostigma spp., Melaleuca spp., Grevillea spp., Alphitonia pomaderroides and Denhamia cunninghamii (yellowberry bush). The sparse to dense ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and Sarga plumosum (plume sorghum). Occurs on undulating plains in valleys in ranges on Tertiary/Quaternary soils overlying granite and metamorphic geologies. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13a). |
| Protected areas | Chillagoe-Mungana Caves NP |
| Special values | 9.5.8: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Acacia guymeri, Euphorbia carissoides. |
| 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 | 9.5.8: Scattered through the central and northern parts of the bioregion. Subject to clearing. |
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.
