Regional ecosystem details for 9.5.9
| Regional ecosystem | 9.5.9 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 3, 2, (3.1), (2.6), (6), (7.8), (7.9), (7.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 92000 ha; Remnant 2021 54000 ha |
| Short description | Corymbia clarksoniana and/or Eucalyptus leptophleba and/or E. platyphylla woodland on plains |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Woodland to open woodland of Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) and/or Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) and/or E. platyphylla. A sparse to mid-dense shrub layer including Melaleuca spp., Grevillea spp., and Planchonia careya (cocky apple) can occur. The ground layer is dominated by Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass) and Heteropogon spp. Occurs on plains, undulating plains and outwash deposits and Tertiary to Quaternary locally consolidated high-level alluvium and colluvium. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.5.9a: Woodland to open woodland of Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- Eucalyptus platyphylla (poplar gum) +/- E. leptophleba (Molloy red box) +/- C. tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash) with a distinct to sparse sub-canopy layer often including Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved paperbark), Grevillea glauca (bushman's clothes peg), Petalostigma pubescens (quinine) and Alphitonia pomaderroides (soapbush). An open to sparse shrub layer includes Melaleuca spp., Persoonia falcata, Grevillea spp. and Petalostigma pubescens (quinine). The sparse to mid-dense ground layer is dominated by Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass), Aristida spp., Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass), H. triticeus (giant speargrass), and Sarga plumosum (plume sorghum). Occurs on undulating plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). 9.5.9b: Woodland of Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box), E. platyphylla (poplar gum) and/or Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- C. intermedia (pink bloodwood) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum). An open to mid-dense sub-canopy of mixed species often includes Corymbia spp. and Melaleuca nervosa (woodland paperbark). The open to mid-dense shrub layer is dominated by Planchonia careya (cocky apple), Petalostigma pubescens (quinine) and Acacia spp. The ground layer is dominated by Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass), Heteropogon triticeus (giant speargrass) and H. contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18c). 9.5.9c: Woodland of Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood), Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) and/or E. cullenii (Cullen's ironbark), +/- E. platyphylla (poplar gum). A mid-dense sub-canopy layer of Melaleuca spp. can occur. The sparse shrub layer can include Melaleuca viridiflora (broad-leaved paperbark), Petalostigma spp. and Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Cooktown ironwood). The dense ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass), Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass) and Arundinella spp. Occurs on plains. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 9e). |
| Protected areas | Kuranda West FR, Mount Lewis NP, Mount Windsor NP, Dinden West FR, Hann Tableland NP, Chillagoe-Mungana Caves NP, Bare Hill CP |
| Special values | 9.5.9: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Habenaria rumphii. |
| 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 | 9.5.9: Occurs extensively in the eastern bioregion from Mareeba north. Vulnerable to invasion by exotic weeds Praxelis clematidea, Mesosphaerum suaveolens, Sporobolus jacquemontii (giant rat-tails grass), Themeda quadrivalvis (grader grass), Crotalaria goreensis (Gambia pea). Subject to extensive clearing. 9.5.9a: Occurs from Mareeba to Chillagoe in the central bioregion. 9.5.9b: Occurs from Mareeba to Lakeland Downs in the east of the bioregion. 9.5.9c: Occurs between Mount Molloy and Palmer River in the east of the bioregion. |
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.
