Description: 10.3.13 is open-woodland and woodland of teatree (Melaleuca fluviatilis) and/or river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) on the banks and in the channels of larger watercourses. 10.3.13 is found in subregions 2 and 3 with minor occurrences in subregions 1 and 4. It can be found as an outlier in the Brigalow Belt bioregion.

Reservation status:

10.3.13 is represented by 1062ha of remnant (19999) in Cudmore National Park, Cudmore Resources Reserve, White Mountains National Park and White Mountains Resources Reserve.

Ecological notes:

10.3.13 has relatively low plant species diversity with about 30 species recorded.

10.3.13 provides habitat for the vulnerable plant species Livistona lanuginosa along the Cape River and Amelia Creek.

10.3.13 is prone to inundation for extended periods. The clay soils may retain enough moisture to be boggy even when surface waters have dried up.

This regional ecosystem has high habitat values for nesting fauna, provides seasonal nectar supplies to fauna and acts as a corridor through the landscape.

The ecosystem is subject to degradation by weed invasion, including rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora), and by high total grazing pressure.

Tree clearing is not recommended as this regional ecosystem is a riparian area (Morgan et al 2002).

Regular monitoring and control of weeds is recommended.

Cattle may need to be excluded from those areas where they are causing significant plugging of the mud and fouling of waterholes.

Fauna values:

This regional ecosystem has a very high species richness and is a significant riparian and refugial habitat, particularly important for larger mammals, woodland and wetland birds. Ten species of conservation significance have been recorded including cotton pygmy-goose (Nettapus coromandelianus), squatter pigeon (Geophaps scripta scripta), masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae), black-throated finch (Poephila cincta cincta), bush stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and rufous bettong (Aepyprymnus rufescens).

Brief vegetation community descriptions:

10.3.13a: River red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) open-woodland to woodland along river channels.

River red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) dominates the very sparse to sparse canopy (15-26m tall). Coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah), river she-oak (Casuarina cunninghamiana) and weeping teatree (Melaleuca leucadendra) are frquently present in the canopy. Carbeen (Corymbia tessellaris) is occasionally present. Paperbarks (Melaleuca spp.) are frequently present in the mostly very sparse low tree layer (6-12m tall). Graminoids long-leaf matrush (Lomandra longifolia) and couch (Cynodon dactylon) are commonly present in the very sparse to sparse ground layer.

REs with overlapping distribution that have at least some similarities in the dominant canopy species and thereby have the potential to be confused with 10.3.13a in the field is:
10.3.14b
10.3.14d
10.3.15e
10.3.15g

10.3.13b: Teatree (Melaleuca fluviatalis) open-woodland to woodland along river channels.

Teatree (Melaleuca fluviatilis) dominates the very sparse to sparse canopy (15-28m tall). River red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and river she-oak (Casuarina cunninghamiana) are frequently present. Couch (Cynodon dactylon) is often a dominant graminoid in the ground layer.

References

Henderson, R.J.F. (ed.) (2002). Names and Distribution of Queensland Plants, Algae and Lichens. Environmental Protection Agency, Toowong.

Lorimer, M.S. (1998). Catchment management in the Desert Uplands. Volume 2. A land resource description and evaluation. Queensland Department of Environment, Brisbane.

Morgan, G. (1999). Desert Uplands. In The Conservation Status of Queensland Biogeographical Ecosystems. Sattler, P.S. and Williams, R.D. (eds). Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane.

Morgan, G., Lorimer, M., Morrison, A. and Kutt, A. (2002). The conservation of biodiversity in the Desert Uplands. Environmental Protection Agency, Townsville.

Pedley, L. (1967). Vegetation of the Nogoa-Belyando area. In Lands of the Nogoa-Belyando Area, Queensland. Land Research Series No. 18, CSIRO, Australia.

Morgan, G. (1999). Desert Uplands. In Sattler, P.S. and Williams, R.D. (eds) The Conservation Status of Queensland's Biogeographical Ecosystems. Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane.

Thompson, E.J. and Turpin, G.P. (In prep.). Vegetation Survey of the Desert Uplands Bioregion. Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Toowong.

Turner, E.J., McDonald, W.J.F., Ahern, C.R. and Thomas, M.B. (1993). Western Arid Region Land Use Study, Part V. Tech. Bull. 30, Division of Land Utilisation, Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Compiled by E.J. Thompson and D. Sharp, Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency. Fauna images and information supplied by Alex Kutt, EPA, Townsville. G.Morgan, EPA, Townsville made significant contribution to information provided in the fact sheets. Funded by the NHT Bushcare program and Queensland Herbarium, EPA.