@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-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-2564, title = {The preparedness and evacuation behaviour of pet owners in emergencies and natural disasters}, journal = {Australian Journal of Emergency Management}, volume = {30}, year = {2015}, abstract = {

This research describes the preparedness and the actual, or anticipated, evacuation behaviours of a sample of 352 pet owners in Australian who experienced a range of natural disasters or emergencies. Three quarters experienced a bushfire or flood (42 per cent and 33 per cent respectively) and around a third (34 per cent) evacuated their homes.\ 
Of those who evacuated, 29 per cent did so in less than one hour and 58 per cent returned within two days. Over two-thirds (69 per cent) stayed with family or friends when they evacuated. Many people evacuated with multiple combinations of pets. The majority of those who evacuated kept some of their pets with them (81 per cent) and 15 per cent left some pets behind; either enclosed in the home, released to escape, or unable to find/catch. Around the time of evacuation 42 per cent sought some form of immediate assistance, help or advice, with evacuation of their pets. Most turned to neighbours and friends (30 per cent), social media (9 per cent), or emergency services (8 per cent).\ 
In general, around a third of the sample felt they were {\textquoteleft}not really prepared{\textquoteright} or were {\textquoteleft}unprepared{\textquoteright} for the emergency event. Of those who reported they were prepared, around 70 per cent had planned to keep all their pets with them if they evacuated.\ 
The results of this study highlight the complexity of pet composition and the requirement for detailed household evacuation planning and early enactment of plans. In addition, the need for responsible pet ownership and pet-friendly destinations on evacuation was a clear requirement, with decisions to evacuate being influenced by this.\ 
It is hoped that the results of this study will provide a useful reference for emergency management agencies and aid planning and engagement with pet owners.\ 

}, url = {https://ajem.infoservices.com.au/items/AJEM-30-02-05}, author = {Mel Taylor and Erin Lynch and Penny Burns and Greg Eustace} }