Frequent wildfires erode tree persistence and alter stand structure and initial composition of a fire-tolerant sub-alpine forest

Abstract

Question: Frequent severe wildfires have the potential to alter the structure and composition of forests in temperate biomes. While temperate forests dominated by resprouting trees are thought to be largely invulnerable to more frequent wildfires, empirical data to support this assumption are lacking. Does frequent fire erode tree persistence by increasing mortality and reducing regeneration, and what are the broader impacts on forest structure and understorey composition?. Location: Sub-alpine open Eucalyptus pauciflora forests, Australian Alps, Victoria, Australia. Methods: We examined tree persistence and understorey composition of E. pauciflora open forests that were unburned, burned onc..