Regional ecosystem details for 9.7.1
| Regional ecosystem | 9.7.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, 6, (2), (5), (11.3), (11.5) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 89000 ha; Remnant 2021 87000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus persistens woodland on lateritised and deeply weathered surfaces on undulating terrain |
| Structure code | Woodland |
| Description | Woodland of Eucalyptus persistens (box) +/- E. crebra (sens.lat.) (narrow-leaved ironbark) +/- Corymbia spp. The mid layer varies from none to a dominant shrub layer of Melaleuca uncinata (broombush) with emergent Eucalyptus spp. The ground layer is dominated by sparse grasses and/or Triodia spp. (spinifex). Occurs on edges of lateritised Tertiary plateaus. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.7.1a: Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus persistens (box) +/- E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) (sens.lat.) +/- Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum). An open sub-canopy can contain Atalaya hemiglauca (whitewood) and Petalostigma pubescens (quinine). The mid layer varies from absent to an open shrub layer of Carissa lanceolata (currantbush) or Melaleuca uncinata (broombush) or Eremophila mitchellii (false sandalwood) (in the south) +/- Acacia spp., Denhamia cunninghamii (yellowberry bush) and Erythroxylum australe (cocaine tree). The sparse to dense grassy ground layer is dominated by Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass), Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and/or Triodia spp. (spinifex). Occurs on pediments below scarps of lateritised Tertiary plateaus and on deeply weathered profiles on rolling hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). 9.7.1b: Low open forest of Melaleuca borealis or M. uncinata (broombush) +/- emergents of Eucalyptus persistens (box) and/or E. moluccana (gum-topped box) and/or Acacia shirleyi (lancewood). The mid-layer is absent to a dense layer of juvenile M. uncinata. The ground layer is patchily vegetated. Occurs on pediments below scarps of lateritised Tertiary plateaus and on deeply weathered profiles on rolling hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 21b). 9.7.1c: Woodland to low open woodland of Eucalyptus persistens (box) and/or E. exserta (Queensland peppermint) +/- E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) +/- Acacia shirleyi (lancewood) +/- Callitris intratropica (cypress pine). There is an absent to dense shrubland of Melaleuca uncinata (broombush) +/- Petalostigma banksii (smooth-leaved quinine) +/- Acacia spp. The ground layer is usually grassy or dominated by Triodia mitchellii. Occurs on deeply weathered granite hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 19d). |
| Protected areas | Girringun NP, Forty Mile Scrub NP, Girringun CP |
| Special values | 9.7.1: Habitat for the near threatened plant species Leptospermum pallidum near Poison Lake. |
| 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: 5-10 years. INTERVAL_MIN: 5. INTERVAL_MAX: 10. STRATEGY: Apply mosaic across the landscape at a range of frequencies to create varying stages of post-fire response. ISSUES: Avoid repeated fires at short intervals and high intensity burns of broad areas. Melaleuca uncinata is a facultative resprouter and while not killed by total leaf scorch its response varies with moisture and fire intensity. b, c: Fire promotes the germination of lancewood seedlings, but trees are killed by all but the lowest intensity fires. Lancewood trees require approximately 20 years before seedlings mature. Often the lack of grass layer inhibits fire spread into these forests, and they will regenerate after occasional wildfires. Damaged by repeated fires < 20 years. Callitris intratropica are also fire sensitive. Leave some areas of long unburnt vegetation to maintain a diversity of habitat for wildlife. |
| Comments | 9.7.1: The weathered profiles are often overlying land zone 11 and 12 geologies. In some areas this grades into a shrubland of Melaleuca uncinata (veg community 9.7.1b). Occurs extensively through the central and southern bioregion. 9.7.1a: Occurs extensively in the south of the bioregion. 9.7.1b: Occurs north of Greenvale in the central bioregion. 9.7.1c: Occurs in scattered patches in the centre 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.
