Interactions There are a number of This project will between fire, major knowledge support decision landscape gaps concerning how about fire pattern, and alternative fire regimes through biodiversity regimes can alter the evidence about the (IFER Core risk to biodiversity and impact of alternative Project) other values in fire regimes on forested landscapes. biodiversity values The University Over the three years and ecosystem of Melbourne this project will resilience. It will improve data for a increase DELWP’s range of flora and capacity to include fauna- through biodiversity systematic collection considerations in land at established study management planning sites, over time, within based on best an area designated science. for mosaic burning in Completion date: the Otway Ranges, June 2019 effectively sampling a range of vegetation types and growth stages. these data, the project will develop models that investigate relationships between: habitat (in space and time) disturbance processes - in particular planned fire and bushfire, but also potentially including processes such as predation, herbivory, pollination and decomposition, and plant and animal abundance, diversity and behaviour. Over time, changes that occur due to planned fires and bushfires will be used to test and refine these models.
Interactions between fire, landscape pattern, and biodiversity (IFER Core Project) The University of Melbourne There are a number of major knowledge gaps concerning how alternative fire regimes can alter the risk to biodiversity and other values in forested landscapes. Over the three years this project will improve data for a range of flora and fauna- through systematic collection at established study sites, over time, within an area designated for mosaic burning in the Otway Ranges, effectively sampling a range of vegetation types and growth stages. these data, the project will develop models that investigate relationships between: habitat (in space and time) disturbance processes - in particular planned fire and bushfire, but also potentially including processes such as predation, herbivory, pollination and decomposition, and plant and animal abundance, diversity and behaviour. Over time, changes that occur due to planned fires and bushfires will be used to test and refine these models. This project will support decision about fire regimes through evidence about the impact of alternative fire regimes on biodiversity values and ecosystem resilience. It will increase DELWP’s capacity to include biodiversity considerations in land management planning based on best science. Completion date: June 2019