Description: 10.3.31 is artesian springs emerging on alluvial plains. 10.3.31 occurs in subregion 2 with minor occurences in subregions 1 and 4.

Reservation status:

10.3.31 is currently not represented in a national park.

Ecological notes:

10.3.31 was previously included in 10.3.16.

10.3.31 prior to disturbance consisted of about 17 spring complexes. Currently 10.3.31 is known to consist of eight intact complexes. One complex has been excavated. The largest known individual 10.3.31 spring was 4.2ha. Spring complexes usually consist of one spring but up to as many as 44.

10.3.31 has relatively moderate plant species diversity with about 100 species recorded.

Rare and threatened species associated with Great Artesian Basin discharge springs including the plants salt pipewort (Eriocaulon carsonii), thornless blue devil (Eryngium fontanum), spring dropseed (Sporobolus pamelae), Peplidium sp. (Egdbaston RJ Fensham 3341), artesian milfoil (Myriophyllum artesium); the fishes red-finned blue-eye (Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis) and a goby (Chlamydogobius squamigenus); and numerous endemic invertebrates (Ponder in press).

Impacted by artificial extraction, excavation, pig rooting, trampling by domestic stock and the introduction of ponded pastures. It is recommended that grazing be excluded from these areas at all times, unless there is an excess af dry matter that is a fire risk in which short duration grazing could be benificial. There should be no further tree clearing and areas should be fences and off-site water provided where necessary (Morgan et al 2002).

Also of biogeographic interest is Fimbristylis blakei which is only known from springs but is at its most southern known distribution in the Desert Uplands.

Fauna values:

Springs are significant natural water sources for fauna, and often support endemic plant, fish and invertebrate species. Currently no terrestrial vertebrate species have been recorded for this regional ecosystem.

Brief vegetation community descriptions:

10.3.31a: Spring dropseed (Sporobolus pamelae) tussock-grassland on alluvium.

Spring dropseed (Sporobolus pamelae) dominates the sparse to mid-dense ground layer. Commonly occurring species include large bluegrass (Ischaemum australe) and salt pipewort (Eriocaulon carsonii).

10.3.31b: Weeping teatree (Melaleuca leucadendra) woodland on alluvium.

Weeping teatree (Melaleuca leucadendra) dominates the sparse canopy (12-18m tall). The ground layer is dominated by soft twigrush (Baumea rubiginosa) and sedges (Cyperus spp.).

REs with overlapping distribution that have at least some similarities in the dominant canopy species and thereby have the potential to be confused with 10.3.31a in the field are:
none known, although M. leucadendra can be present as an occasionally occurring species in 10.3.13a

10.3.31c: Springs on alluvium.

Couch (Cynodon dactylon), water grass (Paspalum distichum), sedges (Cyperus spp.), short fruited nardoo (Marsilea hirsuta), brown beetle grass (Leptochloa fusca) and black tea-tree (Melaleuca bracteata) are commonly present.

REs with overlapping distribution that have at least some similarities in the dominant canopy species and thereby have the potential to be confused with 10.3.31c in the field are:
10.3.16c

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.

Rod Fensham, Queensland Herbarium, EPA, Brisbane, provided information on springs.

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.