Regional ecosystem details for 9.8.2
| Regional ecosystem | 9.8.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 3, 6, (5), (7.4), (7.7), (7.9), (7.8) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 41000 ha; Remnant 2021 20000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus leptophleba +/- Corymbia clarksoniana +/- C. erythrophloia open woodland on basalt plains |
| Structure code | Open Woodland |
| Description | Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) +/- Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum). Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood) or Terminalia spp. sometimes occur as dominants. The sub-canopy and shrub layers are generally sparse. Occurs on basalt plains and undulating rises of the Tertiary MacLean Basalt group. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 11c). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.8.2a: Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) +/- Corymbia clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) +/- C. erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- E. cullenii (Cullen's ironbark) +/- E. platyphylla (poplar gum). There is often an open sub-canopy layer with canopy species. The shrub layer is absent or contains scattered canopy species, Planchonia careya (cocky apple), Melaleuca spp. and/or Grevillea spp. The ground layer is mid-dense and dominated by Heteropogon spp. (speargrasses) and Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass). Occurs on basalt plains and undulating rises of the Tertiary MacLean Basalt group. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 11c). 9.8.2b: Woodland of Corymbia erythrophloia (red bloodwood) +/- Eucalyptus leptophleba (Molloy red box) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum). A very sparse sub-canopy tree and shrub layer can contain canopy species, Erythrina vespertilio (batswing coral tree) and Terminalia platyphylla (wild plum). The sparse to mid-dense ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass), H. triticeus (giant speargrass) and/or Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass). Mainly occurs on the steep boulder-strewn slopes at the edge of the flow and on old volcanic plugs. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 11b). 9.8.2c: Low woodland of Terminalia aridicola subsp. chillagoensis (arid peach) and T. platyphylla. sub-canopy trees are usually absent and the shrub layer is very open. The mid-dense to dense ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs as small patches within 9.8.2a. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 32b). |
| Special values | 9.8.2: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Peristylus banfieldii, Spathoglottis paulinae. |
| 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 | 9.8.2: Occurs around Mareeba and Lakeland Downs in the central and northern bioregion. Vulnerable to invasive weed species Themeda quadrivalvis (grader grass), Mesosphaerum suaveolens (hyptis) and Crotalaria goreensis (Gambia pea). 9.8.2a: This community is distinguished from 9.8.1b by being on the MacLean Basalt group. C. clarksoniana can be a major subdominant in some areas. C. tessellaris and Eucalyptus platyphylla can occur in wetter areas and E. cullenii and C. erythrophloia can occur in drier areas. Occurs on basalt near Lakeland Downs and Mareeba in the central and northern bioregion. 9.8.2b: Confined to Lakeland Downs area in the north of the bioregion. 9.8.2c: Confined to Lakeland Downs area in the north of the bioregion. In some areas prone to infestation with weeds species. |
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.
