Developing a data-to-model pipeline for generating comprehensive species fire response models | Natural Hazards Research Australia

Developing a data-to-model pipeline for generating comprehensive species fire response models

Photo: Eddy Summers
Research theme
Project type

Commissioned research

Project status

In planning

This project will create models to understand how different animal species respond to fire. These models will help implement the Species Post-Fire Habitat Suitability (SPFHS) metric in bushfire management plans by the Victorian Government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).

Project details

This project aims to produce a set of faunal species fire response models to support the implementation of the Species Post-Fire Habitat Suitability (SPFHS) metric in bushfire management planning by the Victorian Government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). The project has the following specific objectives:

  1. Use the most representative set of DEECA survey datasets to produce a comprehensive set of statistical models of species response to time-since-fire.
  2. Develop a system (i.e. R package, app or software) that inputs survey data and outputs a set of statistical models and predictions compatible with the Fire Analysis Module for Ecological values (FAME), which enables DEECA to reproduce the models or update them with new data.
  3. Develop products that support the training of DEECA staff in the operation of the system
  4. Ensure the above are done with scientific rigour and are transparently documented.

Importantly, the project team will work closely with the DEECA project lead, the DEECA Forest and Fire Ecosystem Science Team and the Community Ecology team in Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) in the co-design, co-delivery and co-authoring of the project, with the ARI team ensuring that statistical models are provided in a way that generates a comprehensive dataset that can be incorporated into FAME.