Project Leader Pauline Grierson, UWA

Most studies of impacts of fire on ecological processes have dealt largely with single fire events, examining fire at localised scales without reference to the variability of fire in the landscape.  The lack of an appropriate landscape context for fire management may lead to management decisions that are contrary to the intent of ecologically sustainable fire regimes. 

The patterning observed after a single fire event is often a consequence of the effects of previous fires, yet the concept of dynamic models that take into account impacts of preceding fires is often missing.  Understanding the consequences of ëecological memoryí on local and landscape patterns, it key to predicting likely effects of future prescribed burning regimes.

The project combines processñbased data across scales. Whilst rare in ecological studies, it is of increasing relevance. Equally, linking information to decisionñmaking frameworks is a relatively unique component and key objective of this project. The project will integrate ecological information derived at smaller scales, e.g. nutrient cycling, biodiversity at metre-to-plot scale, with larger scale management perspectives (landscape scale).

Outcomes will determine appropriate scale for decisions aimed at ecologically sustainable fire regimes, enabling managers to make landscape-scale decisions by dealing adequately with issues of scaling up and to determine appropriate scale for management decisions aimed at ecologically sustainable fire regimes.

Project Leader: Dr Pauline Grierson, University of WA, (08) 9380 7926