791-061 Fire Ecology

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Objectives:

The objective of this subject is to enable the student to:

• develop an appreciation of the impact and role of fire in the Australian landscape, in a past, present and future sense, and the strategies and adaptations which indigenous flora and fauna utilise to regenerate and survive fire;

• understand the physical and ecological role of fire, and its role and impact as a resource management tool;

• understand the impact of fire on vegetation dynamics and floristics, faunal survival and habitat quality, and nutrient dynamics.

Content:

History of fire in the Australian landscape, fire and the evolution of the Australian flora and fauna, adaptations and strategies to fire of flora and fauna, fire behavioural impacts on flora and fauna, succession and fire, fuel-reduction burning and ecological burns, nutrient dynamics and fire.

Assessment: