An experimental study of fire and moisture stress on the survivorship of savanna eucalypt seedlings

Fensham, R. J., Fairfax, R. J. and Buckley, Y. M. (2008) An experimental study of fire and moisture stress on the survivorship of savanna eucalypt seedlings. Australian Journal of Botany, 56 8: 693-697.


Author Fensham, R. J.
Fairfax, R. J.
Buckley, Y. M.
Title An experimental study of fire and moisture stress on the survivorship of savanna eucalypt seedlings
Journal name Australian Journal of Botany  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank B)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2008-12
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1071/BT08152
Volume number 56
Issue number 8
ISSN 0067-1924
Start page 693
End page 697
Total pages 5
Place of publication Australia
Publisher CSIRO
Collection year 2009
Language eng
Subject C1
960806 Forest and Woodlands Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
060207 Population Ecology
Abstract Eucalyptus melanophloia and E. populnea dominate large areas of savanna in eastern Australia. Under aboriginal management, fires probably occurred under a broad range of conditions, but under pastoral management, burning is avoided when soil moisture is low. This experiment subjected E. melanophloia and E. populnea seedlings to burning and moisture stress, to examine whether this change in burning regime could affect seedling survivorship. The findings suggest survivorship rates are 87–93% for unstressed seedlings with relatively large lignotubers (>12 mm2 plan area) and 56–66% for unstressed seedlings with small lignotubers. There was no substantial interactive effect between moisture stress and burning for E. melanophloia, but such an interaction was apparent for E. populnea, such that moisture stress multiplied the effect of burning. The timing of burning in relation to soil-moisture conditions may have an enduring effect on woodland structure where E. populnea is dominant. E. melanophloia seedlings are more resistant to burning, especially with moisture stress, and fire may not be limiting structural development in woodlands where this species dominates. However, a more detailed understanding of species demography is required, including the conditions required for germination, causes of seedling mortality and the time taken for seedlings to develop fire resistance in the field.
Formatted abstract Eucalyptus melanophloia and E. populnea dominate large areas of savanna in eastern Australia. Under aboriginal management, fires probably occurred under a broad range of conditions, but under pastoral management, burning is avoided when soil moisture is low. This experiment subjected E. melanophloia and E. populnea seedlings to burning and moisture stress, to examine whether this change in burning regime could affect seedling survivorship. The findings suggest survivorship rates are 87–93% for unstressed seedlings with relatively large lignotubers (>12 mm2 plan area) and 56–66% for unstressed seedlings with small lignotubers. There was no substantial interactive effect between moisture stress and burning for E. melanophloia, but such an interaction was apparent for E. populnea, such that moisture stress multiplied the effect of burning. The timing of burning in relation to soil-moisture conditions may have an enduring effect on woodland structure where E. populnea is dominant. E. melanophloia seedlings are more resistant to burning, especially with moisture stress, and fire may not be limiting structural development in woodlands where this species dominates. However, a more detailed understanding of species demography is required, including the conditions required for germination, causes of seedling mortality and the time taken for seedlings to develop fire resistance in the field.
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code

 
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Created: Wed, 18 Feb 2009, 13:39:49 EST by Gail Walter on behalf of School of Biological Sciences