Fire incidence, but not fire size, affects macropod densities

Abstract

The regeneration of plants post-fire has widely been shown to be attractive to vertebrate herbivores. However, there are few data relevant to the effect of fire size on herbivore densities. In dry eucalypt forest in one region and hummock sedgeland in another region, we used timed scat counts to test the effect of fire and fire size on Tasmanian macropod densities 6 months after burning.We also tested whether soil characteristics and the nature of ground cover related to the degree of attractiveness of post-burn regeneration. Soil nutrients and higher covers of grasses and herbs in ground layer vegetation were associated with higher macropod densities. In dry eucalypt forest, fire incidence and fire size did not affect macropod density, while in hummock sedgeland, fire had a positive effect on macropod density, but fire size had no effect.