Description: 10.7.10 is low open-woodland of White's ironbark (Eucalyptus whitei) or rough-leaved bloodwood (Corymbia setosa) on gently undulating terrain with shallow sandy soil on ferricrete. 10.7.10 is a common ecosystem in subregion 1 and also occurs in subregions 2 and 4. There are minor outliers in the Einasleigh Uplands and Mitchell Grass Downs bioregions.

Reservation status:

10.7.10 is currently represented in Cudmore National park and Cudmore Resources Reserve.

Ecological notes:

10.7.10 has relatively moderate plant species diversity with about 190 species recorded.

Occurs on shallow red earth soils and remains in good condition.

No rare plants are currently recorded in this regional ecosystem.

The soils are shallow with low water-holding capacity and low fertility.

Plant growth is seasonal and pasture productivity is low. There are few palatable species and their cover is sparse.

Potential threats to this ecosystem are mainly from inappropriate fire regimes and cattle grazing.

Fauna values:

As with 10.7.1, 10.7.10 has a surprisingly high diversity for a community that has a simple structural profile. It is particularly important for terrestrial mammals and reptiles due to this ground cover. 10.7.10 has a strong affiliation to community 10.5.1 and 10.5.5. The presence of nine species of conservation significance (10% of all species to date) emphasise this unit's high value, and species recorded include the grey-crowned babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis), desert mouse (Pseudomys desertor), the spectacled hare-wallaby (Lagorchestes conspicillatus), the snake (Simoselaps warro) (one of only two records in the bioregion), the undescribed skink Lerista sp. nov and another fossorial skink Lerista wilkinsi.

Brief vegetation community descriptions:

10.7.10a: White's ironbark (Eucalyptus whitei) low open-woodland on ferricrete.

White's ironbark (Eucalyptus whitei) dominates the very sparse canopy (9-16m tall). Desert oak (Acacia coriacea) is occasionally present as a scattered small tree (4-7m tall). Conker berry (Carissa lanceolata) and narrow-leaved wattle (Acacia tenuissima) are often present as scattered shrubs or in the very sparse shrub layer (0.5-3m tall). Soft spinifex (Triodia pungens) is present and often dominates the very sparse ground layer. Other graminoids often present include cotton panic grass (Digitaria brownii), rock grass (Eriachne mucronata) and hairy panic (Panicum effusum var. effusum).

REs with overlapping distribution that have at least some similarities in the dominant canopy species and thereby have the potential to be confused with 10.7.10a in the field are:
10.3.9
10.5.11a
10.5.11c
10.7.1a

10.7.10b: Rough-leaved bloodwood (Corymbia setosa) low open-woodland on ferricrete.

Rough-leaved bloodwood (Corymbia setosa) dominates the very sparse canopy (3-8m tall). Quinine tree (Petalostigma pubescens), woodland paperbark (Melaleuca nervosa), geebung (Persoonia falcata) and smooth-leaved quinine (Petalostigma banksii) are often present in the tall shrub layer (2-4m tall). Conker berry (Carissa lanceolata) and yellow berry bush (Maytenus cunninghamii) are often present as scattered shrubs or in the very sparse small shrub layer (0.5-1.6m tall). Soft spinifex (Triodia pungens) usually dominates 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 10.7.10b in the field are:
10.5.1d
10.5.8a

10.7.10c: Rough-leaved bloodwood (Corymbia setosa) low open-woodland on gravelly slopes on ferricrete.

Rough-leaved bloodwood (Corymbia setosa) dominates the very sparse canopy (2.5-3m tall). Ampwey (Acacia acradenia) is usually present in th very sparse shrub layer (0.4-1.5m tall). Grey beard grass (Amphipogon sericeus) dominates the very sparse to sparse ground layer. Soft spinifex (Triodia pungens) is 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 10.7.10c in the field are:
10.7.1d

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.