Disturbance history and stand dynamics in tall open forest and riparian rainforest in the Central Highlands of Victoria

Abstract

Spatial heterogeneity in the intensity of past disturbances has directly influenced the structure and composition of present-day forests around the world. In south-eastern Australia infrequent, high-intensity wildfires are a major part of the historical disturbance regime. While these fires are often assumed to produce even-aged stands, spatial heterogeneity in fire intensity due to highly variable topography may lead to more complex forest age structures. Our study describes the influence of disturbance on the age structure and dynamics of a mosaic of tall, open eucalypt forest, cool temperate rainforest and mixed species forest surrounding Bellel Creek in the Central Highlands of Victoria ..