@article {bnh-8356, title = {Empowering Indigenous natural hazards management in northern Australia}, journal = {Ambio}, year = {2022}, month = {06/2022}, abstract = {

Northern Australia is prone to recurring severe natural hazards, especially frequent cyclones, flooding, and extensive wildfires. The region is sparsely populated (<< 0.5 persons km-2), with Indigenous (Aboriginal) residents comprising 14\% of the population, and typically the majority in remote regions. Despite national policy committed to addressing emergency management (EM) in vulnerable Indigenous communities, implementation remains unfunded. We synthesise participatory intercultural research conducted over seven years exploring core challenges, opportunities and potential solutions towards developing effective EM partnerships. Similar EM engagement and empowerment issues face First Nations and local communities in many international settings. In search of solutions, we explore developing effective partnership arrangements between EM agencies and culturally diverse Indigenous communities. Observing that government already provides substantial investment in cultural and natural resource management programmes conducted by over 150 Indigenous Ranger Groups (IRGs) nationally, we demonstrate that expansion of IRG roles to incorporate EM community engagement and service delivery can provide multiple cost-effective community and business development benefits for many remote communities.

}, keywords = {Climate change, indigenous people, Natural disasters, participatory action research, risk management, vulnerable communities}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-022-01743-x}, url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13280-022-01743-x}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Glenn James and Alan M. Dhamarrandji and Ted Gondarra and Danny Burton and Bevlyne Sithole and Otto Bulmaniya Campion and Hmalan Hunter-Xenie and Ricky Archer and Kamaljit Sangha and Andrew C. Edwards} } @article {bnh-7943, title = {Assessing the real costs of natural hazard-induced disasters: A case study from Australia{\textquoteright}s Northern Territory}, journal = {Natural Hazards}, year = {2021}, month = {04/2021}, abstract = {

Natural Hazard-induced Disasters (NHD) cause a wide range of losses to built and natural environments, the latter often beyond standard measures. Precise accounting and characterisation of the losses can assist in developing effective management policies that help to build resilient communities. This study applies trans-disciplinary approaches to assess total, monetary and non-monetary, NHD-related losses, estimated at AUD 156 million per year (2010{\textendash}2019 average), for Australia{\textquoteright}s Northern Territory where bushfires, cyclones, storms and floods are destructive and frequent events. Non-monetary losses, often overlooked or omitted, were estimated at AUD103 million per year, accounting for two-thirds of total disaster-related losses. Marketable losses, estimated at AUD 53 million per year, were inferred, using standard and non-standard datasets, from the Australian Government{\textquoteright}s Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, insurance costs (Insurance Council of Australia database), and other relevant sources. Non-monetary losses were accounted for by the loss of ecosystem services from natural systems caused by cyclones and bushfires only, applying ecological economics approaches, but without considering long-term losses over the duration of recovery. This study informs disaster management policies to invest in collective emergency and environmental management planning for reducing NHD risk and building resilience of local communities to manage and prepare for rapidly changing climates. Such an accounting approach is essential in contexts where NHDs disproportionately affect the lives and well-being of disadvantaged remote communities.

}, keywords = {bushfires, Cost of natural disasters, cyclones, Floods, Loss from natural disasters, Natural hazard-induced disasters}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-021-04692-y}, url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11069-021-04692-y$\#$citeas}, author = {Kamaljit Sangha and Jeremy Russell-Smith and Andrew C. Edwards and Akhilesh Surjan} } @article {bnh-7786, title = {Developing effective emergency management partnerships in remote north Australian communities - annual report 2019-2020}, number = {637}, year = {2021}, month = {01/2021}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

Natural hazards in the remote Northern Territory such as cyclones have arguably been managed as best as possible given the typical relationships emergency management agencies have with traditional Aboriginal landowners and their wider communities. Preparation and response to the two cyclones, Nathan and Lam, that struck east and central Arnhem Land in 2015 are a case in point. This report refers to 2 projects, conducted using NAILSMA support with Yolngu in Galiwinku and ARPNet with Bininj in Ramingining.

Most Yolngu interviewed at Galiwin{\textquoteright}ku (which was hit directly) after the cyclones comented that the emergency teams did a good job restoring services and rendering the community safe and habitable in the aftermath and that the response was fairly swift and efficient. The research undertaken by Yolngu in the months after Nathan and Lam was keenly sought because of underlying issues effecting Yolngu authority in their own community, including poor consideration of community members as core players and as assets to preparation, response and reconstruction.

The Yolngu research focused on the cyclone scenario but quickly developed into a frank discussion amongst Yolngu in the community about the status of Yolngu leadership, authority and decision-making and the processes they felt are eroding Yolngu values and community wellbeing. Whilst the influences on Yolngu management of their community are highly complex (cultural, economic and historical) the research confirmed a core of issues around colonial agency virtually unanimously expressed by all respondents. Despite natural right and legal land tenure (Aboriginal land held in fee simple under the ALR(NT) Act 1976)0F\ [1] government and NGO services and activities in Galiwin{\textquoteright}ku are increasdingly undertaken with external mandate only and prosecuted by non-Yolngu agents in English (still a subornitate language locally to the Yolngu lingua franca), guided by external agendas and success criteria1F\ [2].\ \ \ \ 

Community leaders concluded that they needed to reinstate Yolngu authority based in Yolngu law to provide a forum through which emergency management and other agencies can offer and deliver services more effectively. Whilst not a new idea, the structure they settled on (named the Dalkarra and Djirrikay Authority - DDA) developed without hosting or direction from non-Yolngu organisations. The CRC northern hub projects enabled NAILSMA to provide basic financial, logistical and administrative support, as requested by community leaders, playing a crucial role in buttressing culturally appropriate Yolngu-controlled participatory research and resilience building activities since the 2015 cyclones.

The DDA has been a forum in which community tensions have been sensitively managed in order to engage effectively with service providers including emergency management agencies. The DDA has many challenges (internal and external) but has recently engaged with a CRC supported {\textquoteleft}sister{\textquoteright} initiative at Ramingining to share experiences and discuss views on ways forward. Despite operating independently, the Galiwin{\textquoteright}ku and Ramingining groups identified common concerns, and expressed an interest in obtaining mutual support and developing an agreed approach to anticipated face to face communication with the NT Comissioner for Police Jamie Chalker.\ \ 

For Ramingining, the focus was placed on why communities felt the response to Cyclones Lam and Nathan had not worked as well as they would have wanted. \ The community owned research at Ramingining was undertaken by the Aboriginal Research Practitioners Network (ARPNet). ARPNet considered how the Bininj system can link up with the Balanda decision making system in a way that would improve on-ground engagement and developed a comprehensive list of protocols (see Utilisation and impact section).

Yolngu and Bininj experiences post cyclones Nathan and Lam challenge the current models for disaster response which focus on volunteer assistance.\  Yolngu/Bininj have a great deal to offer hazard assessment, preparation and response. Equitable and authoritative involvement for Yolngu/Bininj in all aspects of EM management is the only way to maximize positive EM outcomes. Local knowledge, skills and assets could be properly investigated, supported and developed to involve Yolngu/Bininj in producing more effective EM outcomes.\  This is demonstrated, for example, in environmental services by paid ranger groups undertaking complex land and sea management activities.

NAILSMA, ARPNet and CDU have also been working in parallel across other jurisdictions of northern Australia, and in government spheres in the NT, to understand and help progress more equitable and functional relationships in the emergency management space. This {\textquoteleft}global{\textquoteright} part of the project story is of significant interest to the Galiwin{\textquoteright}ku and Ramingining groups who seek the opportunity for the NT Partnership projects to engage directly with emergency management leadership. It has also given them a sense of common interest and comradery with countrymen interstate and raised an awareness for future possibilities in their own endeavours.

This BNHCRC research project is near complete, but for Indigenous leaders of Galiwin{\textquoteright}ku and Ramingining this important effort over the last few years has created a foundation for real change. They are at the beginning and with some clarity now about what needs to be done. \ Their research has identified key issues impeding efficiency in emergency management and response and the delivery of more desirable outcomes for remote Indigenous communities. In order to progress the dialogue created by this research toward more practical and tangible end use outcomes, the {\textquoteleft}next steps{\textquoteright} of a broader project need to be realised.


[1]\  The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act, 1976 is Federal Government legislation granting communal freehold title to traditional Aboriginal land-owners in the form of Land Trusts (managed by the relevant NT Land Councils created under that legislation) in the Northern Territory only. Aboriginal Land Trusts are inalienable freehold.

[2] Whilst Yolngu acknowledge the need for many of the services provided it{\textquoteright}s the manner in which they are designed and provided that they feel disempowers them and at times contradicts the services and embeds bad protocol {\textendash} for example, complex community emergency response plans in English, kept at the police station; de-funding homelands; priveliging English over the natural language in schools; arbitrary and disconnected creation of Yolngu steering committees or reference groups to support government agency work; or the formation of a community committees such as to discuss COVID 19 issues and responses, a{\textquoteright}priori made up of non-Yolngu community agents. . . Whether constituted in the ways thus described, the strong perception by and effect on Yolngu is of deliberate dis-enfranchisement in their own community.

}, keywords = {communities, emergency management partnerships, remote north Australia}, issn = {637}, author = {Glenn James and Sithole, B and Danny Burton and Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {bnh-6850, title = {Adaptive prescribed burning in Australia for the early 21st Century {\textendash} context, status, challenges}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, volume = {29}, year = {2020}, month = {04/2020}, pages = {305-313}, abstract = {

Despite evident advances in knowledge and understanding concerning the application of prescribed burning for delivering benefits in wildfire control and a variety of sociocultural, economic and environmental outcomes, the practical application of prescribed burning in Australia is increasingly administratively and logistically complex, often controversial and climatically challenging. This series of papers does not address the merits or otherwise of prescribed burning {\textendash} we accept the lessons from antiquity and recent history that the use of prescribed fire in contemporary Australia is essential for reducing, although not always being able to deliver on, wildfire risks and meeting a variety of societal and environmental needs. This special issue focuses on several fundamental adaptive management and monitoring questions: are we setting appropriate management targets? Can these targets and associated indicators be readily measured? Can we realistically deliver on those targets? And if so, what are the costs and/or trade-offs involved? The 10 solicited papers included here provide a sample illustration of the diversity of approaches currently being undertaken in different Australian regions to address complex adaptive management and monitoring challenges.

}, keywords = {adaptive management, adaptive monitoring, fire management, fire regimes}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1071/WF20027}, url = {https://www.publish.csiro.au/WF/WF20027}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Lachlan W. McCaw and Adam J. Leavesley} } @article {bnh-8037, title = {Building capacity in north Australian remote communities - utilisation project report}, number = {672}, year = {2020}, month = {11/2020}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {MELBOURNE}, abstract = {

The utilisation workshop was built on preliminary discussions between the research team and agency end users, the Red Cross, community stakeholders and research partners regarding the development of better communication between remote Indigenous communities and fire and emergency services agencies, to reduce risk and build resilience by taking advantage of local knowledge and skills. The workshop addressed topics relating to volunteer models, and specifically the inapplicability, of the classical model, to people living in remote Indigenous communities.

Outputs of the workshop will shape the form of utilisation product/s that participants considered useful for addressing their specific and collective needs regarding volunteering.

This report is a summary of the workshop in Darwin, 11-12th November 2020, and provides summary documents addressing volunteer models adopting narrative formats (e.g. case studies, storytelling, etc); refers to videos addressing key issues for wider community distribution.

The CRC and CDU and our partners will work on the development and delivery of a second utilisation phase 2021. The in-kind support for this workshop, from supporting agencies and stakeholders, will ensure appropriate development of utilisation products during the second phase. This utilisation workshop was funded by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC in direction linkage to the Building Remote Community Resilience to Natural Hazards Core Research project.

}, keywords = {building, capacity, communities, north australia, remote, utilisation, workshops}, issn = {672}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Kamaljit Sangha and Andrew C. Edwards} } @article {bnh-6790, title = {Savanna fire management and bushfire and natural hazard scenario planning for north Australia}, number = {555}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The {\textquoteleft}Scenario planning for remote community risk management in northern Australia{\textquoteright} project is part of CDU{\textquoteright}s northern hub second round suite of projects, which commenced in July 2017. The hub involves collaborations between the Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research (DCBR) at Charles Darwin University (CDU), the North Australia Indigenous Land \& Sea Management Alliance Ltd (NAILSMA), the Aboriginal Research Practitioners Network (ARPNet) also based at CDU, and regional stakeholders including north Australian Fire and Emergency Management agencies, Conservation Agencies and remote Indigenous communities. In this report, we provide summaries of the work undertaken to date in the two main components of the Northern hub{\textquoteright}s scenario planning project.

Firstly, we are developing a framework for the Fire \& Emergency Services agencies to engage with remote Indigenous communities to potentially improve Emergency Services delivery. The agencies recognise the need to improve the services provided remotely, but also recognise that in part and in some jurisdictions (particularly the NT) not only are they not funded to achieve this, also that the classic model of volunteering does not suit remote Indigenous community members, who are too busy dealing with unemployment and poverty. However, the expanding Indigenous Ranger program is a potential means to more appropriately engage with local Indigenous people to build resilience and disaster assistance.

The process has involved a suite of case studies where interviews have been undertaken with members of the, now, wide-spread Indigenous Ranger programs to ascertain the aspirations, willingness and capacity of the Indigenous Rangers to engage in EM activities. In this report, we provide summaries of the activities undertaken and information gathered to date at Hermannsberg in Central Australia, Broome in the Kimberley, Galiwinku on Elcho Island off Arnhem Land and Borroloola on the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Secondly, we are continuing the program of service delivery of land management, monitoring and evaluation tools to assist fire managers in remote north Australia to develop {\textquotedblleft}Improved Fire Management Regimes{\textquotedblright}, by providing information with respect to the spatial distribution, and effects of fires on tropical savanna and rangeland habitats through the Savanna Monitoring \& Evaluation Reporting Framework (SMERF). In this report, we outline the further development of SMERF, in particular the proofing of the fire metrics collated in the previous year with a Far North Queensland Conservation estate case study in conjunction with partners at Queensland Parks \& Wildlife.

}, keywords = {fire management, Savanna, scenario planning}, issn = {555}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Kamaljit Sangha and Andrew C. Edwards} } @article {bnh-7739, title = {Scenario planning for remote community risk management in northern Australia - final project report}, number = {636}, year = {2020}, month = {12/2020}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The {\textquoteleft}Scenario planning for remote community risk management in northern Australia{\textquoteright} project is part of CDU{\textquoteright}s northern hub second round suite of projects, commencing in July 2017. The hub involves collaborations between the Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research (DCBR) at Charles Darwin University (CDU), the North Australia Indigenous Land \& Sea Management Alliance Ltd (NAILSMA), the Aboriginal Research Practitioners Network (ARPNet) also based at CDU, and regional stakeholders including north Australian Fire and Emergency Management agencies, conservation agencies and remote Indigenous communities. In this report, we provide summaries of the work undertaken over the project period in the two main components of the Northern hub{\textquoteright}s scenario planning project.

Firstly, we have been developing a framework for the Fire \& Emergency Services agencies to engage with remote Indigenous communities to potentially improve Emergency Services delivery. The agencies recognise the need to improve the services provided remotely, but also recognise that\  some jurisdictions (particularly the NT) are\  not adequately resourced to achieve this,. The classic model of volunteering does not suit remote significantly disadvantaged Indigenous community members in remote communities. However, the expanding Indigenous Ranger program is a potential means to more appropriately engage with local Indigenous people to build local emergency management (EM) capacity, preparedness, resilience and disaster response.

This research has developed\  a suite of case studies. In each case,\  interviews/workshops have been conducted with members of the, now, wide-spread Indigenous Ranger Groups (IRGs) to ascertain the aspirations, willingness and capacity of the Indigenous Rangers to engage in EM activities. In this report, we provide summaries of the activities undertaken and information gathered to date at Hermannsberg and Yuendumu in Central Australia, Broome, Beagle Bay and Bidyadanga in the Kimberley, Galiwinku on Elcho Island off Arnhem Land, in Bulukhuduru, Ramingining and Ngukkurr in Arnhem Land, and Borroloola on the Gulf of Carpentaria. Main identified issues across the selected remote communities include little engagement of locals, if any, in managing emergency situations around the community, inappropriate placement of EM plans in police stations, lack of resoruces and services in remote communities, broader recognition of IRGs capacity to deliver EM services, and willingness of IRGs to participate in EM services.

Secondly, this research continues the service delivery program of land management, monitoring and evaluation tools to assist fire managers in remote north Australia. To develop {\textquotedblleft}Improved Fire Management Regimes{\textquotedblright}, we provide information with respect to the spatial distribution, and effects of fires on tropical savanna and rangeland habitats through the Savanna Monitoring \& Evaluation Reporting Framework (SMERF). In particular, we include the development of a fire severity map product, not only to inform land management, but to improve Savanna Burning greenhouse gas emissions calculations.

Finally, this report addresses ongoing priorities identified by partner agencies and community stakeholders requiring further action-based research and implementation, especially addressing:

}, keywords = {northern Australia, Planning, remote community, risk management, scenario}, issn = {636}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Kamaljit Sangha and Andrew C. Edwards} } @article {bnh-7311, title = {Seasonal fine fuel and coarse woody debris dynamics in north Australian savannas}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, abstract = {

Several studies have separately explored accumulation of the dominant fuels (grass, fine litter (\<6 mm diameter) and coarse woody debris (CWD, 6{\textendash}50 mm diameter)) in north Australian savannas. We report an analysis of two longitudinal datasets describing how these three fuel components covary in abundance throughout the year in eucalypt-dominated savanna over a rainfall gradient of 700{\textendash}1700 mm mean annual rainfall (MAR). Our observations concur generally with previous observations that litter accumulation results in a late dry season (LDS) peak in biomass, whereas cured grassy fuels typically are seasonally invariant, and CWD inputs are associated with stochastic severe wet season storms and dry season fires. The distinct LDS litter peak contributes significantly to the potential for LDS fires to be of higher intensity, burn more fuel per unit area and produce greater emissions relative to early dry season (EDS) fires. However, Australia{\textquoteright}s current (2018) formal savanna burning emissions avoidance methodology erroneously deems greater EDS fine fuel (grass and fine litter) biomass in four of nine designated vegetation fuel types. The study highlights the need to develop seasonally dynamic modelling approaches that better account for significant seasonal variation in fine fuel inputs and decomposition.

}, keywords = {emissions abatement, fire management, fire regime, fire seasonality, foliage projective cover, fuel accumulation, litter fuels, tropical savanna}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1071/WF20073}, url = {https://www.publish.csiro.au/wf/WF20073}, author = {Yates, Cameron P. and Harry MacDermott and Jay Evans and Murphy, Brett P. and Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {bnh-7770, title = {Unrealised economic opportunities in remote Indigenous communities: Case studies from northern Australia}, journal = {Social Sciences \& Humanities Open}, volume = {2}, year = {2020}, month = {12/2020}, abstract = {

Building on unique Indigenous advantages for people living in remote areas, this study offers insights for innovative land-based economic opportunities across northern Australia. These advantages{\textemdash}outside the mainstream economics{\textemdash}include peoples{\textquoteright} abilities to manage land and knowledge of ecosystems, culture, traditions/ceremonies which directly contribute towards peoples{\textquoteright} health, social relations, provisioning of a safe and secure environment, and learning constituents of well-being. To demonstrate, two representative remote communities, Maningrida and Borroloola in the Northern Territory, are used for revealing uncaptured, but valid, opportunities which, if realized, could help enhance Indigenous well-being{\textemdash}a much-needed agenda for the Australian Government. Moreover, innovative land-based opportunities will potentially save ~$49million/yr of government{\textquoteright}s welfare costs. This study offers a detailed analysis of the existing socio-economic situation of the selected communities, outlines potential land-based economic opportunities, and advocates for a shift in policy planning from viewing remote communities as a problem to realising advantages of their unique prospects to develop the north. Applying an integrated approach to Indigenous development for supporting new economies can lead to diversification of north{\textquoteright}s land sector which to date has been predominantly used for beef production causing threats to fragile ecosystems and hence their services to people living in the area.

}, keywords = {Economic opportunities, Ecosystem services opportunities, Indigenous peoples, Policy planning, remote communities}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2020.100093}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291120300826}, author = {Kamaljit Sangha and Adele Duvert and Ricky Archer and Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {bnh-7792, title = {Building emergency management capacity in remote north Australian communities {\textendash} status report, November 2019}, number = {639}, year = {2019}, month = {12/2019}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {MELBOURNE}, abstract = {

This status report addresses the following activities:

Current research activities

1. Developing effective EM partnerships

1.1 Galiwin{\textquoteright}ku

i. Reinstating traditional governance authority

ii. Recent progress at Galiwin{\textquoteright}ku

1.2 Ramingining

i. Recent progress at Ramingining

ii. Lessons learnt

2. Scenario planning for remote community risk management\ 

Proposed workshop activity

1. Developing a BNHCRC utilisation project focused on building effective EM partnerships with remote communities

1.1 Background

1.2 Utilisation proposal

i. Phase 1

ii. Phase 2

1.3 Participants

1.4 Expected benefits\ 

}, keywords = {Capability, communities, emegency management, northern Australia, remote}, issn = {639}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Glenn James and Sithole, B and Kamaljit Sangha and Andrew C. Edwards} } @article {bnh-5418, title = {Challenges for prescribed fire management in Australia{\textquoteright}s fire-prone rangelands {\textendash} the example of the Northern Territory}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, year = {2019}, month = {02/2019}, abstract = {

Northern Australia comprises by far the most fire-prone-half of a fiery continent, where fire frequencies range from annual in the tropical savannas to periodic very-extensive fire events following above-rainfall conditions in the central Australian rangelands. As illustration of the challenges facing effective fire management in Australia{\textquoteright}s 5.7 {\texttimes} 106 km2\ rangelands, we examine the status of contemporary prescribed burning activities in the Northern Territory, a 1.4 {\texttimes} 106 km2, very sparsely settled (0.18 persons km-2) jurisdiction characterised by vast flammable landscapes, few barriers to fire-spread, predominantly anthropogenic ignitions, and limited institutional resources and capacity. Unsurprisingly, prescribed-fire management is shown to be restricted to specific locales. For more effective, landscape-scale fire management, potential solutions include engagement with dispersed remote communities and incorporation of Indigenous Ranger Groups into the fire-management network, and building on the success of savanna-burning greenhouse gas emission projects as an example for incentivising landscape fire and emergency management services generally. Recently, significant steps have been taken towards implementing formal regional fire-management planning processes involving inclusive community-stakeholder engagement, and the setting of clearly defined time-constrained objectives and targets.

}, keywords = {central Australia, Emergency management, fire regime, Indigenous rangers, remote communities, risk management, savannas}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1071/WF18127}, url = {http://www.publish.csiro.au/WF/WF18127?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2_27_2019_23_3)\&mc_cid=676faec148\&mc_eid=73e0665bda}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Andrew C. Edwards and Kamaljit Sangha and Yates, Cameron P. and Mark Gardener} } @article {bnh-5417, title = {Delivering effective savanna fire management for defined biodiversity conservation outcomes: an Arnhem Land case study}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, year = {2019}, month = {02/2019}, abstract = {

Given the recent history of frequent and extensive late dry season wildfire in Australia{\textquoteright}s fire-prone northern savannas, regional conservation-based fire management programs typically aim to mitigate wildfire through the use of strategic prescribed burning during the cooler early dry season. However, it remains unclear as to the extent such environmental management concerns are being addressed by these renewed fire management efforts. This study documents changes in fire regime in the western Arnhem Land region of northern Australia associated with the implementation of active fire management since 2006. Over a 12-year period, the regional fire regime has transitioned from late dry season, wildfire-dominated to being characterised by a majority of fires occurring as small early dry season prescribed burns. Although overall area burnt has not significantly decreased, most ecological threshold metrics have improved, with the exception of those describing the maintenance of longer-unburnt habitat. Challenges involved with defining, delivering, monitoring and evaluating heterogeneity targets are discussed.

}, keywords = {ecological thresholds, fire regimes, Prescribed burning}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1071/WF18126}, url = {http://www.publish.csiro.au/WF/WF18126}, author = {Jay Evans and Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {bnh-5569, title = {Long-term solutions to improve emergency management services in remote communities in northern Australia}, journal = {Australian Journal of Emergency Management}, volume = {32}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, abstract = {

Despite frequent exposure to bushfires, cyclones and floods, remote Indigenous communities across northern Australia typically have little involvement in managing, mitigating or planning for such events. This scenario planning project explored how people in remote communities, through Indigenous ranger groups, can contribute effectively to the mitigation and delivery of emergency services. This research revealed the importance of developing effective partnerships between emergency management agencies and members of remote communities to integrate and assess the resources and services needed for responsible agencies in the Northern Territory. Using three remote communities as case studies, the potential engagement opportunities with ranger groups was explored to identify solutions to deliver efficient, cost-effective and culturally appropriate emergency services. A collaborative policy framework involving emergency services organisations and Indigenous communities is proposed to mitigate and manage incidents while meeting Indigenous cultural protocols. This recognises and takes advantage of community networks and knowledge of local socio-cultural and natural systems. This research offers practical insights into the delivery of cost-effective and improved emergency services to empower north Australian remote communities.

}, keywords = {communities, Emergence Management, northern Australia, readiness}, url = {https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/ajem-april-2019-long-term-solutions-to-improve-emergency-management-services-in-remote-communities-in-northern-australia/}, author = {Kamaljit Sangha and Andrew C. Edwards and Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {bnh-6052, title = {Tree recruitment dynamics in fire-prone eucalypt savanna}, journal = {Ecosphere}, volume = {10}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, pages = {e02649}, abstract = {

Savanna sites are idealized as exhibiting a demographic {\textquotedblleft}bottleneck{\textquotedblright} physiognomy comprising a lower stratum of abundant resprouting persistent {\textquotedblleft}juveniles{\textquotedblright} (albeit of indeterminate age), a mid-stratum comprising relatively few released {\textquotedblleft}saplings,{\textquotedblright} and a canopy-layer cohort of {\textquotedblleft}adults.{\textquotedblright} The magnitude and frequency of disturbance is considered to influence the critical transition from juvenile into adult phases. Under fire-prone Australian savanna conditions, an extensive suite of both observational and manipulative studies have explored the responses of tree recruitment to fire disturbances. These studies oftentimes have produced seemingly highly disparate responses, particularly with respect to the differential responses of relatively fast-growing eucalypts versus non-eucalypts under different fire regime, and overstory competition, conditions. This study contrasts the responses of tree recruitment height classes to (1) the effects of total canopy removal from severe Cyclone Monica in 2006 over a subsequent 10-yr period, (2) with observations from long-term monitoring sites under relatively stable overstory conditions at Litchfield National Park over a six-year period, (3) under ambient, frequent fire occurrence (mean \> 0.5 fires/yr) at both locales including relatively severe late dry season fires. Recruitment at both study sites was represented mostly by resprouting, clonally reproducing juvenile trees \<2 m tall, around half of which died over respective assessment periods. At post-cyclone assessment plots, there was substantial release of eucalypts, including within the first five years, into the \>5 m height class, with negligible corresponding release of non-eucalypts. At Litchfield plots, there was negligible release of both eucalypts and non-eucalypts. In discussion, we contrast these results with findings from relevant regional studies. We contend that collective disparate observations feasibly can be reconciled as reflecting significant interactions between fire regime characteristics and variable site overstory competition effects, such that the rate of recruitment of fast-growing savanna eucalypt individuals into the midstory is relatively independent of the fire regime, but is significantly regulated by resource competition interactions especially with the overstory, whereas recruitment of non-eucalypts is relatively independent of overstory competitive effects, but is suppressed under fire regimes dominated by frequent, especially severe fires.

}, keywords = {Australia; canopy competition; cyclone disturbance; density dependence; eucalypt; fire disturbance; fire regime; juveniles; recruitment dynamics; resprouts; saplings; savanna.}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2649}, url = {https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ecs2.2649}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Jay Evans and Harry MacDermott and Brocklehurst, Peter and Schatz, Jon and Erin Lynch and Yates, Cameron P. and Andrew C. Edwards} } @article {bnh-4399, title = {A comparison and validation of satellite-derived fire severity mapping techniques in fire prone north Australian savannas: Extreme fires and tree stem mortality}, journal = {Remote Sensing of Environment}, volume = {206}, year = {2018}, month = {03/2018}, pages = {287-299}, chapter = {287}, abstract = {

Severe fires in tropical savanna systems are recognised as incurring significant impacts on a variety of ecological attributes, including woody vegetation structure and greenhouse gas emissions. However, knowledge of the frequency and extent of severe fires is restricted given challenges associated with the development of reliable remotely sensed mapping procedures. This study takes advantage of three wildfires, 900{\textendash}5300\ km2\ in extent, containing very severely affected areas, occurring in semi-evergreen, eucalypt-dominated, tropical Australian savanna, which resulted in significant areas of complete canopy scorch, very significant tree stem mortality (24{\textendash}55\%), and associated loss of living above ground biomass (47{\textendash}69\%) at respective sites. Although increased map scale is generally considered to improve the reliability of fire severity mapping, our analysis found \>\ 90\% agreement between Landsat and MODIS-derived burnt area mapping, and \>\ 80\% for binary (severe vs. non-severe) fire severity mapping. Mapping of internal fire (unburnt) patchiness was enhanced with finer resolution Landsat imagery, but the much longer orbital return cycle precluded its use at two of the three sites given extended cloudy conditions. Application of an automated MODIS-derived fire severity mapping algorithm (overall reliability in 2015\ =\ 75\%) calibrated for generalised north Australian savanna conditions, suggests that 15\% and 12\% of Australia{\textquoteright}s 1.3\ M\ km2\ tropical savannas region were burnt by severe fires in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The study illustrates the potential for MODIS-derived fire severity mapping, the impacts of very severe fires on stand structure, and ongoing challenges associated with deriving reliable fire severity mapping products in Australian savanna systems.

}, doi = {10.1016/j.rse.2017.12.038}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034425717306223}, author = {Andrew C. Edwards and Jeremy Russell-Smith and Stefan Maier} } @conference {bnh-4803, title = {Emergency management opportunities for remote indigenous communities in northern Australia}, booktitle = {AFAC18}, year = {2018}, month = {09/2018}, publisher = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, organization = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Perth}, abstract = {

Despite frequent exposure to severe natural hazards including extensive bushfires, tropical cyclones and floods, remote Indigenous communities across northern Australia typically have little engagement in managing, mitigating or planning for such hazards. The BNHCRC scenario planning project explores how remote communities can effectively and sustainably mitigate the risks of natural hazards, and develop effective partnerships with emergency management (EM) decision-making processes. This research integrates and analyses EM resources and services available through various agencies responsible for remote locations, and related EM costs. The project provides opportunities for responsible agencies to engage and plan with remote communities to deliver efficient, cost-effective and culturally appropriate EM services. Scenario planning workshops, applying business as usual and enhanced risk mitigation scenarios, are underway involving active participation of multiple stakeholders including rangers from remote locations namely, Borroloola, Hermannsburg and Yuendumu, representatives from emergency services in the Northern Territory (NT Emergency Services, Fire and Rescue Services, Bushfires NT), the Northern and Central Land Councils, and other local organizations. Initial discussions with rangers and Traditional Owners from the selected remote communities, representatives from the relevant EM agencies, and other interested parties have indicated keen interest for participating in the project. Workshop discussions and associated data analyses will be presented, offering new insights into the delivery of cost-effective and improved EM services that can empower vulnerable remote communities.\ 

}, author = {Kamaljit Sangha and Andrew C. Edwards and Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {bnh-5143, title = {Emerging opportunities for developing a diversified land sector economy in Australia{\textquoteright}s northern savannas}, journal = {The Rangeland Journal}, volume = {40}, year = {2018}, month = {06/2018}, pages = {315-330}, chapter = {315}, abstract = {

We explore sustainable land sector opportunities for Australia{\textquoteright}s 1.2 million km2\ northern savanna rangelands where extensive beef cattle pastoralism is the predominant contemporary land use. Our focal region is characterised by mean annual rainfall exceeding 600 mm, ecologically bountiful wet season water availability followed by 6{\textendash}8 months of surface water deficit, mostly nutrient-poor soils, internationally significant biodiversity and carbon stock values, very extensive dry season fires in pastorally unproductive settings, a sparse rural population (0.14 persons km{\textendash}2) comprising a high proportion of Indigenous people, and associated limited infrastructure. Despite relatively high beef cattle prices in recent seasons and property values escalating at a spectacular ~6\% p.a. over the past two decades, long-term economics data show that, for most northern regions, typical pastoral enterprises are unprofitable and carry significant debt. Pastoral activities can also incur very significant environmental impacts on soil and scarce dry season water resources, and greenhouse gas emissions, which currently are not accounted for in economic sustainability assessments. Over the same period, the conservation sector (including National Parks, Indigenous Protected Areas) has been expanding rapidly and now occupies 25\% of the region. Since 2012, market-based savanna burning projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions occur over a further 25\%. Returns from nature-based tourism focussed particularly on maintaining intact freshwater systems and associated recreational fishing opportunities dwarf returns from pastoralism. The growth of these latter industries illustrates the potential for further development of profitable {\textquoteleft}ecosystem services{\textquoteright} markets as part of a more environmentally and socially sustainable diversified regional land sector economy. We outline some of the imminent challenges involved with, and opportunities for developing, this new industry sector.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ18005}, url = {http://www.publish.csiro.au/rj/RJ18005}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Kamaljit Sangha} } @article {bnh-6041, title = {Incentivising fire management in Pindan (Acacia shrubland): A proposed fuel type for Australia{\textquoteright}s Savanna burning greenhouse gas emissions abatement methodology}, journal = {Ecological Management \& Restoration}, volume = {19}, year = {2018}, month = {08/2018}, pages = { 230-238}, abstract = {

The Australian Government has sanctioned development of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) abatement methodologies to meet international emissions reduction obligations. Savanna burning emissions abatement methodologies have been available since 2012, and there are currently 72 registered projects covering approximately 32 million ha. Abatement to date has exceeded 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) principally through the application of low intensity early dry season fire management to reduce the amount of biomass combusted in higher intensity late dry season (LDS) fires. Savanna burning projects can only be conducted on areas with eligible fire-prone vegetation fuel types where implementing the improved fire management regime is considered ecologically appropriate. This study assesses the suitability of including tall\ Acacia\ shrublands ({\textquoteleft}Pindan{\textquoteright}) as a new eligible fuel type. These shrublands make up 12\% (~2 million ha) of the Kimberley region, Western Australia, where, on average, 32\% is fire affected annually, mostly in the LDS. A standard assessment protocol was applied to describe vegetation fuel type structural and pyrolysis characteristics. We show that Pindan (i) can be identified and mapped as a unique tall\ Acacia\ shrubland vegetation fuel type, (ii) characterised by a significantly greater shrubby fuel load biomass, and (iii) the conservation status of which would benefit from imposition of strategic prescribed burning programme. Savanna burning projects in the Pindan fuel type could potentially abate up to 24.43\ t.CO2-e/km2\ per year, generating significant income and employment opportunities for predominantly Indigenous land managers in the region.

}, keywords = {Abatement, fire management, Savanna}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/emr.12334}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/emr.12334}, author = {Erin Lynch and Jeremy Russell-Smith and Andrew C. Edwards and Jay Evans and Yates, Cameron P.} } @article {bnh-5144, title = {Assessing ecological performance thresholds in fire-prone Kakadu National Park, northern Australia}, journal = {Ecosphere}, volume = {8}, year = {2017}, month = {07/2017}, abstract = {

Contemporary fire regimes are recognized as a key threatening process for relatively immobile vertebrates and narrowly dispersing obligate seeder plant taxa in fire-prone Australian savannas. Here, we assess the efficacy of proposed ecological performance threshold metrics for evaluating the current state of fire management for biodiversity conservation outcomes in Australia{\textquoteright}s premier, and best publicly funded savanna reserve, Kakadu National Park. The assessment draws on available data describing Landsat-scale fire mapping over the period 1997{\textendash}2015, habitat mapping, and mostly modeled responses of vegetation and faunal attributes. Despite conceptual and technical issues associated with various proposed performance thresholds and mapping products, the assessment demonstrates significant challenges with the current state of the reserve{\textquoteright}s fire management program. For example, by the end of 2015 it was observed that just 6\% of woodland habitat in lowland and 23\% in upland situations had remained unburnt for longer than three years and 98\% of mapped fires in lowland and 87\% in upland habitats were \>1\ km2\ in extent. Of 14 assessed performance threshold metrics, two were within acceptable thresholds at the end of 2015, and none had improved materially over the decadal assessment period. Given substantial resources evidently required to deliver effective, seasonally intensive, fine-grained adaptive fire management for biodiversity conservation outcomes in fire-prone Australian savannas, we suggest that alternative resourcing opportunities through market-based savanna burning greenhouse gas emissions abatement projects need to be explored.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1856}, url = {https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ecs2.1856}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Jay Evans and Andrew C. Edwards and Anthony Simms} } @article {bnh-5086, title = {Challenges for valuing ecosystem services from an Indigenous estate in northern Australia}, journal = {Ecosystem Services}, volume = {25}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, pages = {167-178}, chapter = {167}, abstract = {

Recent Australian government policy for developing northern Australia applies a standard financial approach that disregards the importance of Ecosystem Services (ES), and the significance of associated socio-cultural benefits of ES for the wellbeing of Indigenous people who constitute the majority of the regional rural population. First, we assess available ES valuation methods for estimating non-market and market values of ES from an Indigenous estate, Fish River Station (FRS), representative of {\textquoteleft}typical{\textquoteright} regional savannas. Second, we estimate the direct (fire and weed management) and indirect (foregone income from pastoral enterprise) costs associated with maintaining those services. For valuation of ES, we applied a conventional Basic Value Transfer technique using global databases including available regional studies{\textemdash}providing valuations of USD 286 and 84\ M\ y-1, respectively. However, constituent studies used in these valuations had limited relevance to both the ecosystems and socio-cultural contexts of our study. For evaluating Indigenous socio-ecological benefits of ES, estimated conservatively at USD 2.21\ M\ y-1, we applied a local wellbeing valuation technique. The minimum costs required to maintain ES flows were estimated as USD 5.6\ ha-1\ y-1. Our study illustrates that, to better inform regional development policy, significant challenges remain for appropriate valuation of ES from north Australian savannas, including recognition of socio-cultural services and wellbeing benefits incorporating Indigenous values.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.04.013}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212041616302984}, author = {Kamaljit Sangha and Jeremy Russell-Smith and Scott Morrison and Robert Costanza and Andrew C. Edwards} } @article {bnh-5083, title = {Fire-driven decline of endemic Allosyncarpia monsoon rainforests in Northern Australia}, journal = {Forests}, volume = {8}, year = {2017}, month = {12/2017}, chapter = {481}, abstract = {

Although contemporary fire regimes in fire-prone Australian savannas are recognised as having major impacts on an array of biodiversity and environmental values, a number of studies have observed significant monsoon rainforest expansion in recent decades. Here we assess the status of a locally extensive endemic monsoon rainforest type, dominated by\ Allosyncarpiaternata\ (Myrtaceae), restricted to sandstone terrain including in the World Heritage property, Kakadu National Park. We undertook assessments of: (1) geographic correlates of\ Allosyncarpia\ forest distribution; (2) change in canopy cover at 40 representative forest patches at topographically exposed sites with reference to a 60-year aerial photo and fine-scale image archive, and fire mapping data; and (3) structural characteristics associated with sites exhibiting stable, contracting, and increasing canopy cover. Mean canopy cover at sampled forest patches declined by 9.5\% over the study period. Most canopy loss occurred at the most fire-susceptible patches. Assessment of structural characteristics at sampled sites illustrated that canopy expansion represented vegetative recovery rather than expansion de novo. The study (1) confirms the vulnerability of exposed margins of this forest type to fire incursions; (2) illustrates the magnitude of, and describes solutions for addressing, the regional conservation management challenge; and (3) serves as a reminder that, in savanna environments, severe fire regimes can substantially outweigh the woody growth-enhancing effects of other regional (e.g., increased rainfall) and global-scale (e.g., atmospheric CO2\ fertilisation) drivers.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/f8120481}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/8/12/481}, author = {Jeremy Freeman and Andrew C. Edwards and Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {bnh-4199, title = {Savanna fire management and bushfire and natural hazard scenario planning for northern Australia: annual project report 2016-17}, number = {314}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2017}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The Savanna fire management and BNH scenario planning for northern Australia project is part of a larger suite of Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC projects being undertaken through Charles Darwin University focused broadly on {\textquoteleft}Building community resilience in northern Australia{\textquoteright}. Collectively, these projects aim to promote enhanced understanding of the special circumstances concerning resilience issues in remote Indigenous communities, and identify culturally appropriate governance arrangements and enterprise opportunities that can contribute to enhancing community development and resilience.

We report here on activities undertaken in 2016-17 for four sub-projects: Savanna fire management, Management of flammable high biomass grassy weeds, Gulf fire management, and Scenario Planning.

The Savanna fire management sub-project (undertaken by Dr Andrew Edwards CDU) commenced late in 2013 and provided its final report through the current reporting year. The sub-project continued with the work on savanna-wide fire severity mapping, and assessing the implications and possibilities of using fire severity to replace seasonality in a revised greenhouse gas emissions abatement methodology. In this component we undertook a much-needed assessment of tree mortality with respect to high severity fires to quantify this phenomenon, and published this information in the international literature. The sub-project is developing a framework for a Savanna-wide Monitoring and Evaluation Reporting tool.

The Management of flammable high biomass grassy weeds, Gulf fire management sub-project (undertaken by Associate Professor Samantha Seterrfield of the University of Western Australia, and Dr Natalie Rossiter-Rachor CDU) commenced in the current reporting year and is due to be completed in 2017-2018. The project focuses on a range of invasive grasses that have spread rapidly in tropical Australia over the past two decades, substantially altering regional ecosystems. The ecological, economic and social consequences of these grasses are so significant that many are now declared at the Territory and State level, have been listed as Weeds of National Significance, and listed as a Key Threatening Process under the EPBC Act. The project is assessing the fire risk of these species and the social, environmental and economic consequences associated with high biomass grasses.

The Gulf fire management sub-project principally involves PhD studies (undertaken by Kate van Wezel CDU) exploring Indigenous women{\textquoteright}s engagement and employment opportunities with fire management and emissions abatement projects being established in the remote NT / QLD Gulf region. In 2015 the Waanyi-Garawa Indigenous Ranger group based at Borroloola commenced a partnership with the BNHCRC in a participatory action research project aimed at assessing the challenges and opportunities associated with the development of a women{\textquoteright}s caring for country program focused on Waanyi and Garawa country. This research provides a case study of successful collaborative land management in remote Indigenous Australia, and a gendered analysis of the caring for country movement as a strategy towards community resilience.\ 

Preparatory activities for the Scenario Planning sub-project, looking at how EM agencies and remote communities across northern Australia could better engage and develop effective partnerships, commenced in early 2017. Currently the project is focused on implementing scenario planning activities at two NT general locales{\textemdash}the Borroloola / Gulf region, the broader central Australian region focused on Alice Springs. Ongoing discussions are being held with QLD and WA agencies concerning the extension of project activities into those jurisdictions. This project component will now continue over the next three years as part of the new round of BNHCRC projects.

Notably, activities from the first three sub-projects listed above, as well as from other projects addressing the broader research theme of {\textquoteleft}Building community resilience in northern Australia{\textquoteright}, are due to be incorporated in a book (with the current title, {\textquoteleft}2Way Country{\textemdash}transition to a resilient North Australia land sector economy{\textquoteright}, due to be published by Magabala Press late this year.\ 

}, issn = {314}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {bnh-4213, title = {Scoping remote north Australian community resilience and developing governance models through action research: annual project report 2016-17}, number = {324}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2017}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The {\textquoteleft}scoping remote northern Australia resilience{\textquoteright} project is part of a larger suite of Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC projects being undertaken through Charles Darwin University in collaboration with the North Australian Land \& Sea
Management Alliance (NAILSMA) and the Aboriginal Research Practitioners Network (ARPNet{\textemdash}a collective of Indigenous community researchers). Two main sub-projects under scoping resilience are: Payments for Ecosystem Services and Asset Assessment, and Governance Models for Indigenous communities. Collectively, these projects aim to promote enhanced understanding of the special circumstances concerning resilience issues in remote locations, and to identify culturally appropriate governance arrangements and enterprise opportunities that contribute to community resilience.

We collectively report the progress of our project work conducted during the financial year, 2016-2017, as below:
1. Research analyses, activities and assessments undertaken to assess the value of ecosystem services in northern Australia

2. Research and planning activities undertaken for developing the Governance models for Indigenous communities

1. Payment for Ecosystem Services:

2. Governance models

}, issn = {324}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {bnh-5071, title = {Towards an Indigenous ecosystem services valuation framework: a north Australian example}, journal = {Conservation and Society}, volume = {15}, year = {2017}, pages = {255-269}, chapter = {255}, abstract = {

Despite calls by various international agencies, considerable work is still required to understand and incorporate the importance of earth{\textquoteright}s ecosystems for informing public policies. Savannas comprise nearly one third of global terrestrial ecosystems and support many local and Indigenous communities, but the value of their ecosystem services (ES) is insufficiently understood. This study proposes an integrated ES valuation framework and applies it to assess ES for an Indigenous savanna estate in northern Australia, describing how capabilities along with biophysical and socio-cultural ES benefits play a vital role for peoples{\textquoteright} wellbeing. We estimated the monetary value of ES by applying a conventional Basic Value Transfer (BVT) method for biophysical benefits (USD 84 M y-1), and a wellbeing approach for valuing socio-cultural benefits and capabilities (USD 4 M y-1). The latter offers a relatively nominal estimate but underscores the importance of including peoples{\textquoteright} capabilities in order to demonstrate wellbeing benefits for Indigenous people who regularly visit and utilize their lands. We explore two scenarios, Business as Usual (pastoral land use) and ES-based economies (implying customary land use, particularly through fire management) to project plausible broader benefits for the community over a longer term. This research describes how inclusion of Indigenous peoples{\textquoteright} capabilities and socio-cultural values are critical for ES assessments, and indicates that an integrated approach is essential for appropriately informing local, regional and global development policies.

}, doi = {10.4103/cs.cs_16_156}, url = {http://www.conservationandsociety.org/article.asp?issn=0972-4923;year=2017;volume=15;issue=3;spage=255;epage=269;aulast=Sangha}, author = {Kamaljit Sangha and Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {bnh-3115, title = {Savanna fire management and bushfire and natural hazard scenario planning for northern Australia: annual project report 2015-2016}, number = {235}, year = {2016}, month = {10/2016}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The Savanna fire management and bushfire and natural hazards scenario planning for northern Australia project is part of a larger suite of Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC projects being undertaken through Charles Darwin University focused broadly on {\textquoteleft}Building community resilience in northern Australia{\textquoteright}. Collectively, these projects aim to promote enhanced understanding of the special circumstances concerning resilience issues in remote Indigenous communities, and identify culturally appropriate governance arrangements and enterprise opportunities that can contribute to enhancing community development and resilience.

We report here on activities undertaken in 2015-2016 for two active sub-projects: Savanna fire management, and Gulf fire management. A third sub-project; Management of flammable high biomass grassy weeds, will commence in July 2016, and a fourth sub-project addressing scenario planning issues for better informing and engaging remote communities with project outcomes will commence in early 2017.

The Savanna fire management sub-project (undertaken by Dr Andrew Edwards) commenced late in 2013. It builds upon satellite derived modeling of fire severity. These datasets, combined with fire history mapping, are being applied to assess fire risks to biodiversity, emissions and ecosystem services in general. Over the past year this sub-project has:

1. continued to develop and refine the fire severity mapping algorithm, particulalrly for environmental assessment and emissions accounting applications;

2. undertaken finer scale analyses of the fire mapping and ancillary spatial data for Indigenous land management applications across northern Australia (Kimberley{\textquoteright}s, Arnhem Land, Gulf region, Cape York); and

3. undertaken informal workshops with indigenous ranger groups to ascertain the use and utility of the mapping products.

The Gulf fire management sub-project has principally involved PhD studies (undertaken by Kate van Wezel) exploring Indigenous women{\textquoteright}s engagement and employment opportunities with fire management and emissions abatement projects being established in the remote NT / QLD Gulf region.

Both above sub-projects are proceeding exceptionally well. Findings from both sub-projects will be incorporated in a substantial final report addressing sustainable north Australian community development issues, due to be published as a book in mid-2017.

}, issn = {235}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Yates, Cameron P. and Andrew C. Edwards} } @article {bnh-3114, title = {Scoping remote north Australian community resilience and developing governance models through action research: annual project report 2015-2016}, number = {234}, year = {2016}, month = {10/2016}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The {\textquoteleft}Scoping remote northern Australia resilience{\textquoteright} project is part of a larger suite of Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC projects being undertaken through Charles Darwin University. Collectively, these projects aim to promote enhanced understanding of the special circumstances concerning resilience issues in remote Indigenous communities, and identify culturally appropriate governance arrangements and enterprise opportunities that can contribute to enhancing community development and resilience.

This report addresses two sets of project activities:

(a) community-based studies undertaken in association with remote Indigenous communities in Arnhem Land

(b) over-arching activities addressing broader stakeholder and community engagement

}, issn = {234}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {bnh-1547, title = {Building Resilient Remote Communities in Northern Australia Annual Report 2014}, year = {2015}, abstract = {

This is an annual report for the year 2013/14 for the North Australian Bishfire and Natural Hazard Training project. This project focuses on north Australia, but also include our near neighbours in an effort to build regional resilience.

}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {bnh-3453, title = {Contemporary fire regime risks to key ecological assets and processes in north Australian savannas}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, volume = {24}, year = {2015}, month = {05/2015}, pages = {857-870}, chapter = {857}, abstract = {

Despite the intact appearance of relatively unmodified north Australian savannas, mounting evidence indicates that contemporary fire regimes characterised by frequent, extensive and severe late dry season wildfires are having deleterious effects on a range of regional water, soil erosion, biodiversity conservation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions values. For the high rainfall (\>1000\ mm year{\textendash}1) savannas (426\ 000\ km2), we assessed the spatial effects of contemporary fire regimes within the context of ecosystem response models and three plausible alternative fire management scenarios on ecosystem attributes. Over the 2008{\textendash}12 assessment period, mean annual fire frequency (0.53) comprised mostly late dry season fires. Although spatially variable, contemporary fire regimes resulted in substantial GHG emissions, hill slope erosion and suspended sediment transport, a slight decline in carbon biomass and slight positive effects on fire-vulnerable vegetation. Based on available climate change models and strategic fire management practice, we show that, relative to business-as-usual, improved fire management involving strategic prescribed burning results in substantial benefits to most ecosystem attributes, including under enhanced climate change conditions, whereas in the absence of improved fire management, climate change results in substantially worse outcomes.

}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WF14197}, url = {http://www.publish.csiro.au/wf/WF14197}, author = {Andrew C. Edwards and Jeremy Russell-Smith and Meyer, C.P. (Mick)} } @conference {bnh-2073, title = {Culturally appropriate mapping tools for informing two-way fire management planning in remote indigenous north Australian communities - peer viewed}, booktitle = {Adelaide Conference 2015}, year = {2015}, address = {Adelaide, Australia}, abstract = {

Research proceedings from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC \& AFAC Conference in Adelaide, 1-3 September 2015.\ 

}, author = {Andrew C. Edwards and Jeremy Russell-Smith and Kamaljit Sangha and Yates, Cameron P.} } @conference {bnh-2090, title = {Developing enterprise opportunities and resilience in remote north Australian communities - non peer reviewed extended abstract}, booktitle = {Adelaide Conference 2015}, year = {2015}, address = {Adelaide, Australia}, abstract = {

Research proceedings from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC \& AFAC Conference in Adelaide, 1-3 September 2015.\ 

}, author = {Kamaljit Sangha and Jeremy Russell-Smith and Andrew C. Edwards and Yates, Cameron P. and Christine Michael and Glenn James} } @article {bnh-2398, title = {Risks and opportunities for sustainable savanna fire management}, year = {2015}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {bnh-2446, title = {Savanna fire management and scenario planning for North Australia: Annual project report 2014-2015}, number = {153}, year = {2015}, month = {12/2015}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The {\textquoteleft}Savanna fire management and BNH scenario planning for northern Australia{\textquoteright} project is part of a larger suite of BNH CRC {\textquoteleft}northern hub{\textquoteright} projects being undertaken through Charles Darwin University. Collectively, these projects aim to promote enhanced understanding of the special circumstances concerning resilience issues in remote Indigenous communities, and identify culturally appropriate governance arrangements and enterprise opportunities that can contribute to enhancing community development and resilience.

We report here on the past year{\textquoteright}s activities undertaken through two of the three sub-projects. The third sub-project {\textquoteleft}management of high biomass weeds{\textquoteright} will commence activities in July 2015. The {\textquoteleft}Gulf fire management{\textquoteright}, project, now more appropriately replacing the {\textquoteleft}spinifex and mulga landscapes{\textquoteright} project, commenced in January 2015, building on the substantial effort made by Indigenous ranger groups, it will assist to develop culturally appropriate landscape fire management programs that will also offer economic opportunities through existing and future market-based savanna burning greenhouse emissions abatement, carbon sequestration and other Payment for Ecosystem Services markets. Although in its infancy, to date this project has:

1. Appointed a CRC funded PhD student, Kate van Wezel, to assist develop the capacity and engagement of women rangers in a project entitled {\textquotedblleft}Towards culturally appropriate fire management in the Waanyi and Garawa lands: impediments, opportunities, and key challenges.

2. Undertaken a week long field trip to this very remote region and visited the Indigenous communities of Borroloola and Robinson River, to familiarize staff with the region and to discuss the proposed research program with key local community members.

The {\textquoteleft}savanna burning{\textquoteright} project commenced late in 2013. It builds upon satellite derived modeling of fire severity mapping, these data, combined with fire history mapping have been applied to assess the risk of fire to biodiversity, emissions and ecosystem services in general. In the past year this sub-project has:

1. developed and refined the fire severity mapping algorithm;

2. developed finer scale analyses of the fire mapping and ancillary spatial data for two remote indigenous regions around Kunbalanja and Ngukurr;

3. undertaken informal workshops with indigenous ranger groups to ascertain the use and utility of the mapping products, and;

4. co-edited a substantial book outlining the north Australian 600 to 1,000 mm mean seasonal rainfall region methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions abatement and the potential for carbon sequestration from trees and coarse woody debris.

To date the projects and their sub-components are being managed correctly, with all milestones completed.

}, issn = {153}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Andrew C. Edwards} } @article {bnh-2450, title = {Scoping remote north Australian community resilience and developing governance models through action research: Annual project report 2014-2015}, number = {156}, year = {2015}, month = {12/2015}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The {\textquoteleft}scoping remote northern Australia resilience{\textquoteright} project is part of a larger suite of BNH CRC {\textquoteleft}northern hub{\textquoteright} projects being undertaken through Charles Darwin University. Collectively, these projects aim to promote enhanced understanding of the special circumstances concerning resilience issues in remote Indigenous communities, and identify culturally appropriate governance arrangements and enterprise opportunities that can contribute to enhancing community development and resilience.

We report here on the past year{\textquoteright}s activities undertaken through three complementary sub-projects{\textemdash}

(1)\ \ \  in-depth consultations undertaken by the Aboriginal Research Practitioners Network (ARPNet{\textemdash}a collective of Indigenous community researchers) addressing bushfire and natural hazard threats and issues at two large (\>1000 persons) remote Arnhem Land communities, Gunbalanya and Ngukurr

(2)\ \ \  major desk-top assessments undertaken by the North Australian Land \& Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) addressing (a) mapping of {\textquoteleft}hard{\textquoteright} and {\textquoteleft}soft{\textquoteright} infrastructure assets at Gunbalanya and Ngukurr, (b) a literature review of our current understanding of remote community resilience in northern Australia

(3)\ \ \  preliminary assessments of the value of ecosystem services (ES), and derived payment for environmental services (PES) opportunities, at Gunbalanya and Ngukurr, and more broadly on the Indiegnous estate in northern Australia.

While the project is still in its early stages, results presented in this report highlight:

}, issn = {156}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {bnh-1548, title = {Scoping Remote North Australian Community Resilience Annual Report 2014}, year = {2015}, abstract = {

This is an annual report for the year 2013/14 for the Scoping Remote North Australian Community Resilience project. This project will address the complexities inherent in the North Australian community resilience problem by identifying and building on the existing scaffold of knowledge and understanding of bushfire and natural hazards. It will develop a fine-grained understanding of how local knowledge and other capacity underpin existing risk management and post-event responses, and what changes would be most effective and valued.

}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {BF-4376, title = {Northern Fire Mapping: Developing Robust Fire Extent and Severity Mapping Products for the Tropical Savannas Final Report}, year = {2014}, month = {03/2013}, abstract = {This final report summarises the activities and deliverables undertaken and provided since the commencement of the project in September 2010. The project staff have been with the project for its entirety including Researcher Dr Andrew Edwards and Project Leaders Drs Jeremy Russell-Smith and Mick Meyer. The project has been a major success. Key support to the project came from Bushfires NT staff and Research colleagues, the indigenous ranger groups and conservation and fire agencies, and Bushfire CRC administrative staff. Core risk management components of the project are to receive ongoing funding in the new Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC program. The main theme of the project was to develop fire severity mapping for application to fire management in the tropical savannas and rangelands, and to then apply these data to ecological-risk assessments including greenhouse gas emissions, tree carbon sequestration, biodiversity and erosion. Both activities were successful with fire severity mapping displayed for scrutiny on the North Australia Fire Information website, and a seminal paper outlining the ecological analyses and results soon to be submitted for publication.}, isbn = {978-0-9875218-4-2}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Meyer, C.P. (Mick) and Andrew C. Edwards} } @article {BF-3787, title = {Modelling the potential for prescribed burning to mitigate carbon emissions from wildfires in fire-prone forests of Australia}, year = {2012}, url = {http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/WF11023.htm}, author = {Gill, A. Malcolm and Hutley, LB and Garry D. Cook and Jeremy Russell-Smith and Stefan Maier and Roxburgh, Stephen and Meyer, C.P. (Mick) and Damian J. Barrett and Keith, H and Ross Bradstock and Geoffrey J. Cary and Owen Price and Williams, RJ} } @article {BF-2404, title = {Ecological thresholds and the status of fire-sensitive vegetation in western Arnhem Land, northern Australia: implications for management}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, volume = {18}, year = {2009}, month = {2009}, pages = {127}, abstract = {The paper examines the application of the ecological thresholds concept to fire management issues concerning fire-sensitive vegetation types associated with the remote, biodiversity-rich, sandstone Arnhem Plateau, in western Arnhem Land, monsoonal northern Australia. In the absence of detailed assessments of fire regime impacts on component biota such as exist for adjoining Nitmiluk and World Heritage Kakadu National Parks, the paper builds on validated 16-year fire history and vegetation structural mapping products derived principally from Landsat-scale imagery, to apply critical ecological thresholds criteria as defined by fire regime parameters for assessing the status of fire-sensitive habitat and species elements. Assembled data indicate that the 24 000 km2 study region today experiences fire regimes characterised generally by high annual frequencies (mean = 36.6\%) of large (>10 km2) fires that occur mostly in the late dry season under severe fire-weather conditions. Collectively, such conditions substantially exceed defined ecological thresholds for significant proportions of fire-sensitive indicator rain forest and heath vegetation types, and the long-lived obligate seeder conifer tree species, Callitris intratropica. Thresholds criteria are recognised as an effective tool for informing ecological fire management in a variety of geographic settings.}, doi = {10.1071/WF08008}, author = {Andrew C. Edwards and Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {BF-2415, title = {Improving estimates of savanna burning emissions for greenhouse accounting in northern Australia: limitations, challenges, applications}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, volume = {18}, year = {2009}, month = {2009}, pages = {1}, abstract = {Although biomass burning of savannas is recognised as a major global source of greenhouse gas emissions, quantification remains problematic with resulting regional emissions estimates often differing markedly. Here we undertake a critical assessment of Australia{\textquoteright}s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGGI) savanna burning emissions methodology. We describe the methodology developed for, and results and associated uncertainties derived from, a landscape-scale emissions abatement project in fire-prone western Arnhem Land, northern Australia. The methodology incorporates (i) detailed fire history and vegetation structure and fuels type mapping derived from satellite imagery; (ii) field-based assessments of fuel load accumulation, burning efficiencies (patchiness, combustion efficiency, ash retention) and N : C composition; and (iii) application of standard, regionally derived emission factors. Importantly, this refined methodology differs from the NGGI by incorporation of fire seasonality and severity components, and substantial improvements in baseline data. We consider how the application of a fire management program aimed at shifting the seasonality of burning (from one currently dominated by extensive late dry season wildfires to one where strategic fire management is undertaken earlier in the year) can provide significant project-based emissions abatement. The approach has wider application to fire-prone savanna systems dominated by anthropogenic sources of ignition.}, doi = {10.1071/WF08009}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Murphy, Brett P. and Meyer, C.P. (Mick) and Garry D. Cook and Stefan Maier and Andrew C. Edwards and Schatz, Jon and Brocklehurst, Peter} } @article {BF-2394, title = {Big fires and their ecological impacts in Australian savannas: size and frequency matters}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, volume = {17}, year = {2008}, month = {2008}, pages = {768}, abstract = {Savannas are the most fire-prone of the earth{\textquoteright}s major biomes. The availability of various broad-scale satellite-derived fire mapping and regional datasets provides a framework with which to examine the seasonality, extent and implications of large fires with particular reference to biodiversity values in the tropical savannas of northern Australia. We document the significance of savanna fires in the fire-prone {\textquoteleft}Top End{\textquoteright} region of the Northern Territory, Australia, using 9 years (1997{\textendash}2005) of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)-, Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM)- and Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+)-derived fire mapping. Fire (patch) sizes from both AVHRR- and Landsat-scale mapping increased through the calendar year associated with progressive curing of grass and litter fuels. Fire frequency data at both satellite sensor scales indicate that regional fire regimes in higher rainfall regions are dominated by large (>1000 km2) fires occurring typically at short (~2{\textendash}3 years) fire return intervals. In discussion, we consider the ecological implications of these patch size distributions on regional fire-sensitive biota. Collectively, assembled data illustrate that many northern Australian savanna flora, fauna and habitats embedded within the savanna matrix are vulnerable to extensive and frequent fires, especially longer-lived obligate seeder plant taxa and relatively immobile vertebrate fauna with small home ranges.}, doi = {10.1071/WF07150}, author = {Yates, Cameron P. and Andrew C. Edwards and Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {BF-2370, title = {Bushfires {\textquoteright}down under{\textquoteright}: patterns and implications of contemporary Australian landscape burning}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, volume = {16}, year = {2007}, month = {2007}, pages = {361}, abstract = {Australia is among the most fire-prone of continents. While national fire management policy is focused on irregular and comparatively smaller fires in densely settled southern Australia, this comprehensive assessment of continental-scale fire patterning (1997{\textendash}2005) derived from ~1 km2 Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) imagery shows that fire activity occurs predominantly in the savanna landscapes of monsoonal northern Australia. Statistical models that relate the distribution of large fires to a variety of biophysical variables show that, at the continental scale, rainfall seasonality substantially explains fire patterning. Modelling results, together with data concerning seasonal lightning incidence, implicate the importance of anthropogenic ignition sources, especially in the northern wet{\textendash}dry tropics and arid Australia, for a substantial component of recurrent fire extent. Contemporary patterns differ markedly from those under Aboriginal occupancy, are causing significant impacts on biodiversity, and, under current patterns of human population distribution, land use, national policy and climate change scenarios, are likely to prevail, if not intensify, for decades to come. Implications of greenhouse gas emissions from savanna burning, especially seasonal emissions of CO2, are poorly understood and contribute to important underestimation of the significance of savanna emissions both in Australian and probably in international greenhouse gas inventories. A significant challenge for Australia is to address annual fire extent in fire-prone Australian savannas.}, doi = {10.1071/WF07018}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Yates, Cameron P. and Whitehead, Peter J. and Smith, Richard and Craig, Ron and Allan, Grant E. and Thackway, Richard and Frakes, Ian and Cridland, Shane and Meyer, C.P. (Mick) and Gill, A. Malcolm} } @article {BF-2369, title = {Efficacy of permanent firebreaks and aerial prescribed burning in western Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, volume = {16}, year = {2007}, month = {2007}, pages = {295}, abstract = {We investigated the efficacy of firebreaks in the prevention of wildfires in the Arnhem Land Plateau, a vast, rugged and sparsely populated region with high biodiversity value and frequent wildfires. A total of 623 events where a fire met a permanent firebreak (cliffs, stream order, tracks and roads) in different fire seasons were compiled. Cliffs were more effective than streams at stopping fires, which were more effective than roads. Larger streams were more effective than small ones. The largest streams stop 75\% of early dry season fires, but there are no firebreak types with more than 50\% likelihood of stopping a late dry season fire. Geographic Information System (GIS) surfaces of the relative density of the three firebreak features in the landscape were randomly sampled and compared with the total number of fires and late dry season fires using generalised linear modelling. Several of the density variables were weakly but significantly related to fire frequency, and it appears that late dry season fires are influenced by features at a larger scale (16-km radius) than total fires (4 km). The Aerial Prescribed Burning program for 2004 was studied to identify how effective it was at stopping subsequent wildfires by dividing ignition lines into 137 5-km sections. Only 20\% of sections achieved a 100\% burn and where gaps occurred, a subsequent fire was 88\% likely to penetrate the line. Firebreaks are not certain instruments for fire management in this area.}, doi = {10.1071/WF06039}, author = {Owen Price and Andrew C. Edwards and Jeremy Russell-Smith} } @article {BF-2348, title = {Seasonality and fire severity in savanna landscapes of monsoonal northern Australia}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, volume = {15}, year = {2006}, month = {2006}, pages = {541}, abstract = {Ten years of photo and associated data records from an extensive fire and vegetation effects monitoring programme established in two large north Australian National Parks were used to (1) develop a simple-to-use semiquantitative fire severity index based on observed fire impact on vegetation, particularly leaf-scorch height; and (2) explore relationships between seasonality and fire severity in different landform and vegetation types. Using a three-tiered fire severity scale, data for 719 fires recorded from 178 plots over the period 1995{\textendash}2004 indicate that the great majority of early dry season (pre-August) fires were of very low severity (fire-line intensities <<1000 kW m{\textendash}1), whereas fires later in the dry season were typically of substantially greater severity. Similar trends were evident for vegetation occupying all landform types. The utility and limitations of the fire severity index, and implications for ecologic, greenhouse inventory, and remote sensing applications are discussed.}, doi = {10.1071/WF05111}, author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Andrew C. Edwards} } @article {BF-1143, title = {Fire frequency and biodiversity conservation in Australian tropical savannas: implications from the Kapalga fire experiment.}, journal = {Austral Ecology }, number = {30}, year = {2005}, pages = {155-167}, author = {Andersen, A. N. and Garry D. Cook and Corbett, Lk and Douglas, MM and Eager, RW and Jeremy Russell-Smith and Setterfield, SA and Williams, RJ and Woinarski, JCZ} }