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Bushfire & Biodiversity (FRST90026)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2017

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Overview

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The course covers the basic effects of fire on aspects of biodiversity and ecological processes. Managers are committed to developing science-based ecological burning strategies which achieve both biodiversity and asset protection objectives. Increased knowledge of the ecological impacts of fire on plants and animals facilitates a better understanding of how more effective management can be achieved.

Intended learning outcomes

By the end of the subject students should:

  • Have an understanding of the nature of plant responses to fire; particularly with regard to seeders and resprouters, seed storage and dispersal and the consequences of repeated fire
  • Have an understanding of the response of animals to fire as individuals, populations and assemblages (communities)
  • Have an appreciation that these impacts operate at the ecosystem level, depending on attributes of the species concerned and landscape factors such as connectivity and habitat condition
  • Have an appreciation that the way fire(s) influence biodiversity depends on a set of interacting factors, including both pre- and post-fire weather, competition and predation
  • Have a better understanding of landscape-scale management, where current scientific knowledge is incorporated into planning, monitoring and legislation cycle

Last updated: 3 November 2022