Regional ecosystem details for 9.8.4
| Regional ecosystem | 9.8.4 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 5, 6, (4), (2), (7.5), (7.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 130000 ha; Remnant 2021 123000 ha |
| Short description | Eucalyptus crebra and/or E. tereticornis open woodland on basalt plains |
| Structure code | Open Woodland |
| Description | Open woodland to woodland of Eucalyptus crebra (sens. lat.) (narrow-leaved ironbark) and/or E. tereticornis (bluegum). The mid-layer is generally absent. Occurs on basalt plains and rocky basalt plains and hills. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 11b). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 9.8.4a: Woodland to open woodland of Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) or E. granitica (granite ironbark) +/- Corymbia clarksoniana or Corymbia intermedia (pink bloodwood) +/- C. dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) +/- C. tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash). Scattered canopy species and Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp mahogany) can sometimes occur in the sub-canopy. The shrub layer is absent to sparse. The ground layer is dense and grassy and is dominated by Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass) and Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on basalt plains and rocky basalt plains and hills with varying depths of soil. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 11b). 9.8.4b: Open woodland to woodland of Eucalyptus tereticornis (bluegum) +/- E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) +/- Corymbia dallachiana (Dallachy's gum) +/- C. clarksoniana (Clarkson's bloodwood) +/- E. leptophleba (Molloy red box) +/- C. tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash). The mid-layer is absent to occasionally scattered plants. The ground layer is densely grassy and includes Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) and/or Dichanthium spp. Occurs on basalt plains and rocky basalt plains and hills with varying depths of soil. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 11b). 9.8.4c: Open woodland to woodland of Eucalyptus moluccana (gum-topped box) +/- E. crebra (sens. lat.) (narrow-leaved ironbark) +/- E. platyphylla (poplar gum). A very open sub-canopy containing canopy species often occurs. There is no shrub layer though there can be scattered canopy species and Denhamia cunninghamii (yellowberry bush). The grassy ground layer is dominated by Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). Occurs on basalt plains and rocky basalt plains and hills with varying depths of soil. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 13d). |
| Protected areas | Girringun NP, Forty Mile Scrub NP, Undara Volcanic NP, Evelyn Creek CP, Kinrara 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 | 9.8.4: This regional ecosystem is the ironbark woodland of higher rainfall areas of basalt and is distinguished from 9.8.1 (ironbark woodland of drier areas of basalt) by the different subdominant species. Occurs on basalt in the wetter eastern parts of the central bioregion. 9.8.4a: Small areas of Eucalyptus moluccana may occur. Occurs on basalt in the wetter eastern parts of the central bioregion. 9.8.4b: Occurs on basalt in the wetter eastern parts of the central bioregion. Vulnerable to weeds species Themeda quadrivalvis (grader grass). 9.8.4c: Occurs on basalt in the wetter eastern parts of the central 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.
