PDF KMSandL2011JApp...pdf | Request a copy Full text restricted Available under University of Tasmania Standard License.

Abstract

1. Natural area managers use fire and grazing to achieve nature conservation⁄production goals
and to prevent the loss of life and property. Yet, little is known of the effects of post-fire grazing on
fuel load and the proportion of days on which fire can be sustained (fire potential). This knowledge
could help managers in planning interventions to achieve their goals.
2. At seven sites in Tasmania, Australia, including sedgeland, heathy forest and grassland, fire
potential and fuel load were measured before, and for 2 years after fire. Measurements were made
in burning, fencing and burning plus fencing treatments, and in control quadrats.
3. Burning followed by grazing, largely by native vertebrates, resulted in lower fuel loads than
either grazing by itself or burning by itself. A new steady state was established in two grasslands.
Fire potential at the oligotrophic sites was largely a function of time elapsed since the last fire, while
at grassy sites was increased by grazing without fire, but depressed or slightly increased by grazing
after burning.
4. Synthesis and applications. Effects of grazing after burning on flammability are not predictable
fromthe single or additive effects of grazing and burning, varying between vegetation type and environment.
In highland grassy ecosystems fire potential can be reduced by excluding grazing animals
after fire, while in scleromorphic ecosystems grazing after fire does not affect fuel or fire potential.
Intense grazing after fire can cause an, often desirable, shift from tussock to lawn grassland. Burning
and subsequent grazing of tussock grassland vegetation in the lowlands may reduce the chance
of wildfire damaging property and conservation⁄ production values, while in highland tussock
grassland burning followed by grazing will be largely ineffective in reducing the already low chance
of such damaging fire.
Key-words: fire potential

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Kirkpatrick, JB and Marsden-Smedley, JB and Leonard, S
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Applied Ecology
ISSN:	1365-2664
DOI / ID Number:	10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.01962.x
Additional Information:	The definitive published version is available online at: http://www.interscience.wiley.com
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

Actions (login required)

Item Control Page