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Title
Post-fire recovery of woody plants in the New England Tableland Bioregion
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008:
Author(s)
Publication Date
2009
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008
Abstract
The resprouting response of plant species to fire is a key life history trait that has profound effects on post-fire population dynamics and community composition. This study documents the post-fire response (resprouting and maturation times) of woody species in six contrasting formations in the New England Tableland Bioregion of eastern Australia. Rainforest had the highest proportion of resprouting woody taxa and rocky outcrops had the lowest. Surprisingly, no significant difference in the median maturation length was found among habitats, but the communities varied in the range of maturation times. Within these communities, seedlings of species killed by fire, mature faster than seedlings of species that resprout. The slowest maturing species were those that have canopy held seed banks and were killed by fire, and these were used as indicator species to examine fire immaturity risk. Finally, we examine whether current fire management immaturity thresholds appear to be appropriate for these communities and find they need to be amended.
Publication Type
Journal Article
Source of Publication
Cunninghamia, 11(2), p. 221-239
Publisher
National Herbarium of New South Wales, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
Place of Publication
Australia
ISSN
2200-405X
0727-9620
Peer Reviewed
Yes
HERDC Category Description
Peer Reviewed
Yes
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