Journal article
Why do some species have geographically varying responses to fire history?
DG Nimmo, LT Kelly, LM Farnsworth, SJ Watson, AF Bennett
Ecography | WILEY | Published : 2014
DOI: 10.1111/ecog.00684
Abstract
A capacity to predict the effects of fire on biota is critical for conservation in fire-prone regions as it assists managers to anticipate the outcomes of different approaches to fire management. The task is complicated because species' responses to fire can vary geographically. This poses challenges, both for conceptual understanding of post-fire succession and fire management. We examine two hypotheses for why species may display geographically varying responses to fire. 1) Species' post-fire responses are driven by vegetation structure, but vegetation - fire relationships vary spatially (the 'dynamic vegetation' hypothesis). 2) Regional variation in ecological conditions leads species to ..
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Funding Acknowledgements
We thank the following agencies for funding: Parks Victoria, Dept of Sustainability and Environment (VIC), Mallee Catchment Management Authority, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dept of Environment and Climate Change (NSW), Lower Murray Darling Catchment Management Authority, Dept for Environment and Natural Resources (SA), Land and Water Australia, Natural Heritage Trust, Birds Australia (Gluepot Reserve), Australian Wildlife Conservancy (Scotia Sanctuary), and the Murray Mallee Partnership. Thanks to the Mallee Fire and Biodiversity Project Team, especially Mike Clarke, and many volunteers who helped with data collection.