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Where there’s smoke, there’s fire Dr Ben Miller Research Scientist Dr Russell Miller Research Scientist Ebony Cowan PhD Student
F
ire is critical to the ecology of many Australian ecosystems. Many plant species have developed adaptations that promote regeneration following fire and, therefore, fire has the potential to be a useful tool for restoration. Understanding fire ecology and fire risk has been a key focus of Kings Park’s research program and is becoming more important as the need for ecological restoration increases.
Fire as a key ecological process
Kings Park Science staff monitor a research burn that will help inform future fire and weed management decisions. Photo: Russell Miller
Contrasting outcomes of intensive weed control (left half of photo) vs deliberately uncontrolled (right half) treatments following a research burn in Bold Park bushland. Photo: Ben Miller
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For People & Plants | Special Issue | Spring 2021
Germination, flowering and seed production are closely linked to fire in many Australian plant species. Research at Kings Park has shown the effect of smoke and heat on overcoming seed dormancy and promoting germination in many native species. This knowledge has often proved critical to improving the use of seed in revegetation and restoration. Understanding the role of fire in the ecology of ecosystems and species is useful for developing techniques for restoration. Our research on Mason’s Darwinia (Darwinia masonii) a threatened shrub restricted to a small area with active mining projects on the semi-arid edge of the south-west illustrates how a better understanding of the role of fire can help conserve or restore populations. We found that, despite the infrequent occurrence of fire where it occurs, this long-lived species has a long-lived seedbank which does not establish seedlings in the absence of fire (or soil disturbance). Understanding this helps set realistic expectations for population growth and generation times in conservation.
