Environment and Resource Management

Explanation of fields in RE descriptions

Supplementary description

Published sources, listed under the references section below, used to derive or which are equivalent to each regional ecosystem are listed so that more detailed information can be readily obtained.

Wetland code

Each regional ecosystem is denoted as a wetland if it meets the definition of a wetland in the Queensland wetland mapping and classification methodology. Each wetland RE is classified into following wetland classes:

R

Riverine wetland or fringing riverine wetland. These are wetlands with an open, non-vegetated channel;

L

Lacustrine (lakes). These are generally larger than 8 ha, situated in a topographic depression or dammed river channel and lack vegetation cover (< 30%); or

P

Palustrine(swamps, marshes etc). These are generally non-tidal areas dominated by vegetation (> 30% cover) or if lacking vegetation area < 8 ha.

E

Estuarine wetlands. Intertidal areas such as mangroves and saltflats.

Non wetland regional ecosystems are classified into the following classes:

F

Floodplain areas that do not generally retain water after flooding. These do not generally meet the definition of wetlands although often contain unmapped areas of wetlands;

Wf

Areas that are frequently wet that are not wetlands or floodplains (e.g. areas that receive water from higher in landscape such as 3.3.33);

C

Contains a palustrine/lacustrine wetland;

IR

Contains a fringing riverine wetland.

Short description

Label use in the regulations under the Vegetation Management Act 1999.

Structure category

The vegetation density category (dense, mid-dense, sparse, very sparse, grassland) referred to in the Regional Vegetation Management Codes used in assessing vegetation clearing applications under the Vegetation Management Act 1999.

Description

The geology, landform, soil and vegetation that characterises each regional ecosystem are briefly described. This description is not intended to be exclusive, but is the typical expression of the ecosystem based on the best available knowledge. Variation on a theme is to be expected, particularly in the relative dominance of characteristic plant species. Further details should be sought if necessary from the supplementary sources listed. Plant names follow those listed in the Census of the Queensland Flora (Bostock and Holland, 2007 or subsequent versions of that list). Non-native species are denoted by an asterisk (*) and are generally included under the comments field.

Subregion

The subregions that each regional ecosystem occurs in are listed by subregion number, in order of significance. Minor occurrences are denoted by bracketed subregion numbers e.g. (3). Very minor occurrences (<1% of the total pre-clearing extent) are not listed. Outliers are denoted by both the bioregion and subregion (e.g. 11.3).

Protected areas

To broadly assess comprehensiveness, adequacy, and representativeness of the protected area system, regional ecosystems are listed for each protected area defined under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 including National Parks, Conservation Parks and Resource Reserves, but excluding Nature Refuges or voluntary conservation agreement areas on private lands. Generally speaking only protected areas of >1000ha are included, in recognition of the difficulty of ensuring the viability of ecosystems and species in very small reserves. Some protected areas of <1000ha are important in conserving specific elements of biodiversity (e.g. the mound springs on Elizabeth Springs CP) and are therefore identified.

Extent preserved

The extent of regional ecosystems within protected areas is classified as:

The high category, >10%, is based on the IUCN (1994) guideline within the CARACAS Declaration that identified that 10% of each biome should be preserved. The medium category, 4-10%, merely reflects that this level would exceed proportionally the total area that is currently reserved in the protected area estate in Queensland (3.8%). The low category, <4%, reflects that representation proportionally less than the total park area in the State is low indeed. Where data are available, the area of each regional ecosystem in protected areas is given. Data associated with protected areas, including the representation of regional ecosystems within reserves is updated as new mapping is completed, although in several bioregions this has not being updated from that listed in Sattler and Williams (1999).

Values

A list of biodiversity values including known or potential habitat for species listed under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 that are known or to be actually or potentially associated with the regional ecosystem.

Fire Management Guidelines

Fire Management Guidelines, including optimal season, intensity, interval and fire strategy, for regional ecosystems are presented from an ecological perspective, designed to enhance biodiversity. The best available published and expert information has been used in formulating these guidelines, however further research and monitoring is required. At present only a few bioregions have fire management guidelines compiled. Other bioregions will be progressively completed and added.

Comments

Including additional notes on the distribution, condition, commonly associated non-native species, diagnostic and other characteristics of the regional ecosystem.

References

The Regional Ecosystem Description Database includes a list of supplementary descriptions, which are published sources used to derive or which are equivalent to, each regional ecosystem. These references (PDF, 191K)* should be consulted to derive more detailed descriptions and full variation of regional ecosystems.

 

* Requires Acrobat Reader

Last updated: 05 June 2007

Regional ecosystems

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