Journal article
Fuel flammability and fire responses of juvenile canopy species in a temperate rainforest ecosystem
HC Zimmer, TD Auld, L Hughes, CA Offord, PJ Baker
International Journal of Wildland Fire | Published : 2015
DOI: 10.1071/WF14054
Abstract
Historically, rainforests have been considered vulnerable to fire. Recent research, however, has shown that many rainforest species can survive fire by resisting burning and by resprouting and seeding post-fire. We investigated the response of a warm temperate rainforest community to fire by burning juveniles of the dominant canopy tree species (Doryphora sassafras, Syzygium smithii and Wollemia nobilis) and examining litter flammability in a controlled environment. The three species resprouted after the experimental burn, predominantly from buds on the stem that were below the soil surface. Higher fire temperatures resulted in reduced overall plant height and resprouting from buds lower on ..
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Awarded by Australian Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
We thank Tracey Adams for performing the litter burning experiments. We are also grateful to Chris Pavich, Steve Clark, Jaime Plaza, Geoff Burrows and Patricia Meagher for their help and guidance in the field during litter collection. We thank Scott Nichols for assistance with designing the plant-burning experimental set-up, and Scott Nichols and Linda Parker for assistance in undertaking the plant burning experiment. We thank Steve Clark for sharing his insights into the relationship between Wollemi pines and fire. Comments from the editor and two anonymous referees greatly improved this manuscript. Heidi Zimmer's doctoral research is funded by an Australian Postgraduate Award and the Wollemi Pine Recovery Team, which includes the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. Patrick Baker was supported by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (FT120100715).