@article {BF-3939,
	title = {Temperate eucalypt forest decline is linked to altered ectomycorrhizal communities mediated by soil chemistry},
	year = {2013},
	month = {08/2013},
	doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2013.04.006},
	url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112713002120},
	author = {Horton, Bryony M. and Close, DC and WARDLAW, T. J. and Davidson, N. J. and Morag, G and Ratkowsky, D and Mohammed, C}
}
@article {BF-3205,
	title = {Understanding the regeneration niche: Microsite attributes and recruitment of eucalypts in dry forests},
	journal = {Forest Ecology and Management},
	volume = {269},
	year = {2012},
	month = {4/2012},
	pages = {229 - 238},
	abstract = {Lack of eucalypt recruitment is a key factor in the decline of forest and woodland remnants in low rainfall agricultural regions in Australia. Key to effective management of these forests is an understanding of the requirements and conditions that promote seed germination and seedling establishment (recruitment niche) and the persistence of lignotuberous sprouts (juvenile persistence niche). Recruitment is limited by the availability of safe microsites that are suitable for the germination and establishment of seedlings. The objective of this study was to investigate the microsites of established eucalypt seedlings and lignotuberous sprouts in healthy dry forests burnt in the previous 2{\textendash}6 years in the Tasmanian Midlands. The recruitment niche differed significantly to the juvenile persistence niche while the juvenile persistence niche had characteristics similar to the general forest floor. Seedling microsites were characterised by: canopy gaps and ashbeds (95\% of seedlings surveyed); a predominantly northerly aspect (75\% of microsites); over 220{\textdegree} shelter with the average distance from a sheltering object being less than 30 cm and 80\% of seedlings being sheltered by coarse woody debris; soil that was significantly softer (3.8 vs. 5.0 kgf/m2) and less water repellent (moderate vs. severe repellency) than the forest floor; and low cover of grass. These characteristics of seedling safe sites all affect moisture availability. Our results have important implications for the management of dry forest in order to facilitate eucalypt recruitment and persistence, suggesting the need for retention of coarse woody debris and the judicious use of fire.},
	issn = {03781127},
	doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2011.12.021},
	author = {Tanya G. Bailey and Davidson, N. J. and Close, DC}
}
@article {BF-2787,
	title = {Does low-intensity surface fire increase water- and nutrient-availability to overstorey Eucalyptus gomphocephala?},
	journal = {Plant and Soil},
	year = {2011},
	abstract = {The objective of this study was to investigate how the management practices of prescribed fire
and understorey vegetation removal affect water and nutrient relations of old, yet prematurely declining
Eucalyptus gomphocephala. Long unburnt sites were established in Yalgorup National Park, Western
Australia, adjacent to frequently burnt state forest sites. Trees were allocated to vegetation clearing,
prescribed fire or no prescribed fire treatments.

Prescribed fire was achieved in only one long unburnt national park site so that the results were
pseudoreplicated but analysed accordingly. Soil chemistry, plant nutrient availability and tree foliar
carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio and nutrient concentration were investigated. No effects of vegetation clearing were found. Prescribed fire sites were associated with sky exposure and bare ground whereas no prescribed fire sites were associated with shrub and litter cover and litter depth. Foliar carbon isotope ratios were significantly more negative in prescribed fire, relative to no prescribed fire, treatments on long unburnt sites. Soil exchangeable Zn and Mn and plant available (estimated by charged resin beads) Mg were higher on prescribed fire, relative to no prescribed fire, long unburnt sites. Seedling bioassays indicated elevated P and Cu availability on prescribed fire, relative to no prescribed fire, treatments. In overstorey E. gomphocephala, foliar N levels were elevated (but not to excessive levels), and there was a trend toward elevated foliar Mn, in prescribed fire relative to no prescribed fire treatments on long unburnt sites. In the context of our large-scale pseudoreplicated case study, prescribed fire provided a pulse of water and N, (with some indications towards provision of elevated Mn, Cu and Mg) availability to E. gomphocephala in decline on sites with a history of a long absence of fire that may in part underpin observations of elevated tree health on sites that have a history of relatively frequent fire.
},
	doi = {10.1007/s11104-011-0862-3},
	author = {Close, DC and Davidson, N. J. and Swanborough, Perry W. and Corkrey, Ross}
}
@article {BF-2588,
	title = {Fire history and understorey vegetation: Water and nutrient relations of Eucalyptus gomphocephala and E. delegatensis overstorey trees},
	journal = {Forest Ecology and Management},
	year = {2011},
	month = {4/2011},
	abstract = {Fire regimes in temperate forests and woodlands have changed significantly in Australia since European settlement. We hypothesised that an absence of fire leads to the increased development of woody understorey/midstorey and that this may be correlated with decreased water and/or nutrient availability in overstorey temperate eucalypts currently declining in health. Sites with a history of being long unburnt or recently (and frequently in the case of Eucalyptus gomphocephala woodland) burnt (relative to median fire intervals for the vegetation type) were established in E. gomphocephala woodland in Western Australia and in Eucalyptus delegatensis forest in Tasmania. In long unburnt sites in both E. gomphocephala woodland and E. delegatensis forest, there was greater percent cover of understorey/midstorey and eucalypts had higher water use efficiency, indicative of greater soil water limitation, as estimated by foliar carbon isotope ratios. In E. gomphocephala woodland foliar Cu and Zn were significantly lower in eucalypts of long unburnt, relative to frequently burnt, sites. In E. gomphocephala woodland, understorey/midstorey (shrub) cover was positively correlated, and foliar copper and zinc levels were negatively correlated to health of overstorey trees. In E. delegatensis forest foliar phosphorus (P) was significantly lower in eucalypts of long unburnt, relative to recently burnt, sites. In E. delegatensis forest moss cover was positively correlated and foliar P was negatively correlated to health of overstorey trees. The understorey/midstorey that develops in the long absence of fire may alter ecological processes that lead to less favourable water- and nutrient-relations in E. gomphocephala woodland and E. delegatensis forest that are associated with decline in crown health. However this study does not definitively show a link between understorey/midstorey vegetation and overstorey tree water- and nutrient-relations. This link will be investigated in future research},
	doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2011.03.025},
	author = {Close, DC and Davidson, N. J. and Swanborough, Perry W.}
}
@article {BF-2424,
	title = {Can climate at the seed-source predict the success of eucalypts planted on sites that have been grazed for over 100 years?},
	journal = {Forest Ecology and Management},
	volume = {259},
	year = {2010},
	month = {02/2010},
	pages = {1025 - 1032},
	abstract = {Many regions of southern Australia exposed to broad-acre grazing are denuded of trees. Re-establishing trees in these landscapes is important for both environmental and economic reasons. We investigated whether climate at the site of origin of the seed can inform species selection for tree establishment on ex-pasture sites within agricultural landscapes. We established trials at four sites in the sheep and cattle grazing region of the Midlands of Tasmania at: {\textquoteleft}Woodland Park{\textquoteright}; {\textquoteleft}Sorrel Springs{\textquoteright}; {\textquoteleft}Inverel{\textquoteright} and {\textquoteleft}Glen Morey{\textquoteright} farms (long-term average rainfalls of 584, 520, 520, and 479 mm, respectively). Eucalypt species were selected, based on high tolerance to frost and drought inferred from climate at the sites of origin and based on the limited scientific literature available, from across Tasmania and mainland Australia. We investigated the mortality, health and height growth of 18 eucalypt species three months, one and six years after planting. Climatic data from the site of origin of the seed of these species was used to group species into categories of mean annual temperature and mean annual rainfall at seed-source. Sensitivity of species to environment was investigated and compared using modified joint regression. At three planting sites, Woodland Park, Sorrel Springs (except health of the temperature category comparison at six years) and Inverel, we found significantly greater height and health one and six years after planting for local (Tasmanian) compared to non-local (Australian mainland) species, and for species where the site of origin of seed was categorised as low or medium mean annual temperature compared with those categorised as high mean annual temperature. There were no significant differences in mortality for these comparisons. At Glen Morey, height was significantly greater at six years after planting of local compared to non-local species and of species from low and medium mean annual temperature categories compared with the high mean annual temperature category. Mortality was significantly greater in local than non-local species six years after planting. Health was not significantly different for these comparisons. Differences in height, health or mortality of species categorised into mean annual rainfall at seed-source were largely non-significant at all sites one and six years after planting. A study of the sensitivity of species to environment of planting indicated that Tasmanian species were less sensitive than mainland species when height data was compared. When health data was compared, species with a site of origin of seed categorised as low rainfall were less sensitive to environment than species categorised as medium and high-mean rainfall. When mortality data was used significant differences were identified in the sensitivity of species to planting environment but this was not related to locality, mean annual temperature or rainfall at seed-source. Species that attained above average height and low mortality across three or more sites included Eucalyptus pulchella, Eucalyptus perineana (Tasmanian species), and Eucalyptus microcarpa, Eucalyptus benthamii and Eucalyptus melliodora (mainland species). Whilst temperature (and to a lesser extent rainfall) at seed-source is a good indicator of the success of tree establishment, high variability between sites points to the need to consider climate, browsing pressure and farm management at the paddock-scale when planning revegetation plantings. This has important implications for carbon sequestration plantings.},
	doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2009.12.010},
	author = {Close, DC and Davidson, N. J. and Churchill, KC and Corkrey, Ross}
}
@article {BF-2503,
	title = {Crown condition assessment: An accurate, precise and efficient method with broad applicability to Eucalyptus},
	journal = {Austral Ecology},
	year = {2010},
	month = {01/2011},
	pages = {no - no},
	abstract = {Assessment of crown condition is a useful tool for monitoring forest health and is used widely to assess tree dieback and decline. Multiple methods used to assess eucalypt crown condition are difficult to compare across studies. Furthermore, the relative effectiveness of the available methods has not been evaluated. The objective of this study was to find an accurate, precise and efficient method for the assessment of crown condition in eucalypts. Four widely used methods were used to assess the crown condition of 516 eucalypt trees from Tasmania and Western Australia. Two of the methods assessed individual crown condition parameters (single-parameter methods) which could then be added to give an overall score for condition (additive parameter). The other two methods use a single score to encompass many crown parameters (combined-parameter methods). A selection of trees was scored on multiple occasions and by multiple assessors to determine repeatability and reproducibility. Data were analysed by Spearman{\textquoteright}s correlations and principal components analysis. All scored parameters were positively correlated to varying degrees. All parameters were distributed along a single-principal components analysis axis, with the parameters from the single-parameter methods having the greatest weightings. In order to address the objective of this study five criteria were developed for consideration of parameters that assess crown condition: (i) capacity to assess dieback (high correlation with other crown parameters, and capacity to indicate the presence of dieback symptoms in the crown); (ii) observer bias (sensitivity to minor change and small difference between observers); (iii) repeatability (sensitivity to minor change and small difference between years); (iv) capacity to assess different species; and (v) efficiency to score. Methods that best met these criteria used additive parameters derived from the crown parameters of primary crown dieback, epicormic growth and either crown shrinkage or dead branches. The single most useful parameter for assessment of eucalypt crown condition was primary crown dieback. This parameter was found to be the most accurate and precise measure of crown condition and is efficient to score. Primary crown dieback is recommended as the standard method for assessment of crown condition of eucalypt trees.},
	issn = {14429985},
	doi = {10.1111/j.1442-9993.2010.02206.x},
	author = {Horton, Bryony M. and Close, DC and WARDLAW, T. J. and Davidson, N. J.}
}
@article {BF-2400,
	title = {Premature Decline of Eucalyptus and Altered Ecosystem Processes in the Absence of Fire in Some Australian Forests},
	journal = {The Botanical Review},
	volume = {75},
	year = {2009},
	month = {6/2009},
	pages = {191 - 202},
	abstract = {We propose a model of {\textquoteleft}premature tree decline{\textquoteright} whereby an absence of fire hastens the mortality of overstorey eucalypts in some forests. This model is relevant to some temperate Australian forests in which fire regimes have shifted from relatively frequent before European settlement to infrequent following settlement. The increased development of midstorey vegetation and litter accumulation has occurred since European settlement in some specific examples of Australian forests and woodlands. Our model proposes that in the long absence of fire: 1. midstorey vegetation reduces the availability of soil water for eucalypts and; 2. Eucalypts have less access to P and/or cations as these elements become locked up in soil, litter and midstorey biomass. We highlight important knowledge gaps and argue that research into ecological burning, for eucalypt health and other values such as biodiversity, is urgently required. },
	doi = {10.1007/s12229-009-9027-y},
	author = {Close, DC and Davidson, N. J. and Johnson, DW and Abrams, MD and Hart, SC and Lunt, ID and Archibald, RD and Horton, Bryony M. and Adams, Mark A.}
}
@article {BF-2378,
	title = {Health of remnant woodlands in fragments under distinct grazing regimes},
	journal = {Biological Conservation},
	volume = {141},
	year = {2008},
	month = {09/2008},
	pages = {2395 - 2402},
	abstract = {Fragmented remnant woodlands in agricultural landscapes are of high conservation value world-wide. Many eucalypts in agricultural landscapes of Australia are in decline. We aimed to investigate nutrient enrichment as a process that may contribute to eucalypt decline. We studied remnant woodlands that had been exposed to distinct recent and current livestock grazing treatments: Currently Intense Grazed; Recently Intense Grazed (until 3 years ago); Recent Intermediate Grazed; and Recent Lightly Grazed by livestock. We assessed soil nutrient status and penetrability, eucalypt foliar nutrition and stable isotope ratios for N and C, attributes of understorey vegetation, and tree health. Soils of the Currently Intense Grazed treatment had high levels of ammonium and Colwell-P. Total N, P, C:N ratio and soil penetrability were generally high in Currently Intense Grazed and Recently Intense Grazed treatments relative to Recent Intermediate Grazed and Recent Lightly Grazed treatments. Foliar N, N stable isotope ratios, P and carbon stable isotope ratios (δ13C) were generally higher (less negative δ13C) in trees on Currently Intense Grazed and Recently Intense Grazed treatments than in trees on Recent Intermediate Grazed and Recent Lightly Grazed treatments. Soil surface litter, tall and low shrubs and rock were positively correlated with tree health. Grasses and eucalypt foliar N, P and δ13C were negatively correlated with tree health. Soil nutrient enrichment increased with increasing grazing intensity and was associated with increased weed invasion and with poor tree health that was in turn correlated to increased foliar N and P and less negative δ13C in woodland trees in this study. We argue that minimising soil nutrient enrichment of fragmented remnant woodlands is important, given the association of elevated soil nutrition with poor tree health, to ensure the persistence of eucalypts in agricultural landscapes.},
	doi = {10.1016/j.biocon.2008.07.006},
	author = {Close, DC and Davidson, N. J. and Watson, T}
}
@article {BF-1194,
	title = {Is decline in high altitude eucalypt forests related to rainforest understorey development and altered soil bacteria following the long absence of fire?},
	journal = {Austral Ecology},
	volume = {Nov. 2007},
	year = {2007},
	author = {Harvest, T and Davidson, N. J. and Close, DC}
}
@article {BF-2357,
	title = {Eucalypt health and agricultural land management within bushland remnants in the Midlands of Tasmania, Australia},
	journal = {Biological Conservation},
	volume = {139},
	year = {2007},
	month = {10/2007},
	pages = {439 - 446},
	abstract = {In temperate Australia, sustainability of biodiversity in poorly-reserved woodland remnants within agricultural landscapes is a priority. Cornerstone species, such as those comprising the tree overstorey, are essential as a seed source for regeneration and for microclimate amelioration, soil erosion prevention and habitat provision in woodland ecosystems. However, trees within many woodland remnants are rapidly deteriorating in health. This has been attributed to several causes, including three decades of below average rainfall in temperate Australia. However, instances where trees are healthy and declining on either side of a management boundary indicate a key role of management in the condition of woodland remnants. We investigated the effects of past management on soil properties and vegetation understorey, and linked these with overstorey tree health across 49 sites within the agricultural Midlands of Tasmania, Australia. Sixty percent of the variation in overstorey tree health was associated with the cover of native shrubs, litter, moss and lichen in healthy sites and with cover of exotic pasture species in declining sites. Soil attributes explained 72\% of the variation in tree health, with healthy sites having lower soil total nitrogen and pH, and higher soil organic carbon. A combination of soil and understorey vegetation attributes entirely separated healthy, declining and poor sites in a canonical analysis. Regression tree analysis indicated that grazing history (fencing, grazing frequency and intensity) was the primary management history factor in separating healthy and poor sites, whilst patch size, fire frequency and wood gathering were secondary, but significant, factors. Sites that were only lightly, if at all, grazed, had a fire frequency >10 years, and did not have coarse woody debris removed were healthy, indicating that the drying and warming climate of the past three decades is within the bioclimatic envelope of the species examined.},
	doi = {10.1016/j.biocon.2007.07.019},
	author = {Davidson, N. J. and Close, DC and Battaglia, M and Churchill, KC and Ottenschlaeger, M and Watson, T and Bruce, J}
}
@article {BF-1190,
	title = {Eucalypt health and agricultural land management within bushland remnants in the Midlands of Tasmania},
	journal = {Biological Conservation},
	year = {2007},
	abstract = {In temperate Australia, sustainability of biodiversity in poorly-reserved woodland remnants within agricultural landscapes is a priority. Cornerstone species, such as those comprising the tree overstorey, are essential as a seed source for regeneration and for microclimate amelioration, soil erosion prevention and habitat provision in woodland ecosystems. However, trees within many woodland remnants are rapidly deteriorating in health. This has been attributed to several causes, including three decades of below average rainfall in temperate Australia. However, instances where trees are healthy and declining on either side of a management boundary indicate a key role of management in the condition of woodland remnants. We investigated the effects of past management on soil properties and vegetation understorey, and linked these with overstorey tree health across 49 sites within the agricultural Midlands of Tasmania, Australia. Sixty percent of the variation in overstorey tree health was associated with the cover of native shrubs, litter, moss and lichen in healthy sites and with cover of exotic pasture species in declining sites. Soil attributes explained 72\% of the variation in tree health, with healthy sites having lower soil total nitrogen and pH, and higher soil organic carbon. A combination of soil and understorey vegetation attributes entirely separated healthy, declining and poor sites in a canonical analysis. Regression tree analysis indicated that grazing history (fencing, grazing frequency and intensity) was the primary management history factor in separating healthy and poor sites, whilst patch size, fire frequency and wood gathering were secondary, but significant, factors. Sites that were only lightly, if at all, grazed, had a fire frequency >10 years, and did not have coarse woody debris removed were healthy, indicating that the drying and warming climate of the past three decades is within the bioclimatic envelope of the species examined.},
	url = {http://eprints.utas.edu.au/3954/},
	author = {Davidson, N. J. and Close, DC and Battaglia, M and Churchill, KC and Ottenschlaeger, M and Watson, T}
}
