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Premature decline of Eucalyptus and altered ecosystem processes in the absence of fire in some Australian forests

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 02:01 authored by Dugald CloseDugald Close, Neil Davidson, Johnson, DW, Abrams, MD, Hart, SC, Lunt, ID, Archibald, RD, Horton, B, Adams, MA
We propose a model of ‘premature tree decline’ whereby an absence of fire hastens the mortality of overstorey eucalypts in some forests. This model is relevant to some temperate Australian forests in which fire regimes have shifted from relatively frequent before European settlement to infrequent following settlement. The increased development of midstorey vegetation and litter accumulation has occurred since European settlement in some specific examples of Australian forests and woodlands. Our model proposes that in the long absence of fire: 1. midstorey vegetation reduces the availability of soil water for eucalypts and; 2. Eucalypts have less access to P and/or cations as these elements become locked up in soil, litter and midstorey biomass. We highlight important knowledge gaps and argue that research into ecological burning, for eucalypt health and other values such as biodiversity, is urgently required.

History

Publication title

The Botanical Review: Interpreting Botanical Progress

Volume

75

Pagination

191-202

ISSN

0006-8101

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

New York Botanical Garden

Place of publication

Publications Dept, Bronx, USA, Ny, 10458

Rights statement

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Assessment and management of freshwater ecosystems

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