RVC 28 Derived grasslands, Brigalow Belt South and Nandewar

RVC 28
RVC 28
Derived grasslands, Brigalow Belt South and Nandewar
Description: A derived grassland that has resulted from the clearing of woodland or open forest vegetation,
mainly Yellow Box, Blakely’s Red Gum or White Box grassy woodlands. The most common grass species are
wiregrasses (Aristida ramosa, A. personata, A. vagans), Queensland Bluegrass (Dichanthium sericeum),
Speargrass (Austrostipa scabra), Red Grass (Bothriochloa decipiens and/or B. macra), Plains Grass (Austrostipa
aristiglumis), Slender Bamboo Grass (Austrostipa verticillata), Yadbila Grass (Panicum queenslandicum),
Barbed Wire Grass (Cymbopogon refractus), Hairy Panicum (Panicum effusum) and Niggerheads (Enneapogon
gracilis). Other common species include Common Woodruff (Asperula conferta), Slender Sedge (Cyperus
gracilis), Glycine spp. and Kidney Weed (Dichondra repens). Scattered trees such as White Cypress Pine
(Callitris glaucophylla), White Box (Eucalyptus albens), Yellow Box (E. melliodora), Blakely’s Red Gum (E.
blakelyi), Narrow-leaved Ironbark (E. crebra) and Silver-leaved Ironbark (E. melanophloia) are sometimes
present. Occasional shrubs include Wilga (Geijera parviflora) and Native Olive (Notelaea microcarpa).
Keith Vegetation Class: Western Slopes Grasslands
Equivalent VCA Vegetation Type: This RVC represents six VCA types (ID 395, ID 436, ID 451, ID 484, ID 511
and ID 619)
Queensland Regional Ecosystems: None
NVIS Major Vegetation Group: Tussock grasslands
NVIS Major Vegetation Sub-group: Temperate tussock grasslands
Distinguishing Features: Separated from natural grasslands in the area by evidence of clearing and possibly
cropping, by usually occurring on undulating to hilly terrain and often by the high density of Purple Wiregrass.
There are some occurrences on the Liverpool Plains which probably were derived from native grassland (RVC
29) and these represent very poor condition examples of RVC 29.
Condition and Threats: Not applicable

Distribution: Widespread in the Nandewar
and Brigalow Belt South Bioregions within
the Namoi catchment. The mapped
distribution shown here includes derived
(i.e. highly disturbed) occurrences of the
‘Endangered’ grassland RVC 29.
Current extent: 1 057 300
Former extent: -
Percent cleared: -
Formally reserved: -
Percent reserved: -
Conservation status: Some areas where the ground cover is predominately native species could be
considered to represent examples of the White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely's Red Gum woodland EEC.
EPBC type/status: Some parts could be ‘Critically Endangered’ under the name “White Box - Yellow Box -
Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands”
TSC type/status: Some parts could be ‘Critically Endangered’ under the name “White Box - Yellow Box -
Blakely's Red Gum Woodlands”
EEC candidacy: 5-25%
Threatened flora: Austral Toadflax (Thesium australe), Bluegrass (Dichanthium setosum), Finger Panic
Grass (Digitaria porrecta), Belson’s Panic (Homopholis belsonii), Native Milkwort
(Polygala linariifolia), Silky Swainson-pea (Swainsona sericea), Slender Darling Pea
(Swainsona murrayana)
Threatened fauna: Australian Bustard, Brown Treecreeper, Diamond Firetail, Hooded Robin, Five-clawed
Worm-skink, Grey Falcon, Turquoise Parrot
Potential Climate Change impacts: Not applicable
Management recommendations: Not applicable
Ecological Benchmarks: Not applicable