<
https://theconversation.com/buried-treasures-how-seeds-help-us-learn-about-fire-in-the-australian-landscape-235788>
"Fire is a natural part of Australian ecosystems. Many plants have developed
ways to adapt and even thrive after fire. They may store their seeds in the
soil, ready to sprout after fire. Or they may flower after fire, which helps
them to produce the next generation of seeds.
Most of what scientists know about plants and fire comes from studying what
happens above ground. In my new research, my colleagues and I examined what
happens below ground.
I studied plants in the eucalypt woodlands of Gariwerd, including the
species-rich Grampians National Park of Victoria. I wanted to find out which
seeds were waiting in the soil, and whether their presence or absence had
anything to do with past fires. But first I had to grow them.
Through a series of glasshouse experiments, I discovered the seedbank in each
soil sample reflected its past experience of fire. More frequent fire depleted
stores of annual plants, such as purple-leaved groundsel (
Senecio
picridioides) and pimpernel sundew (
Drosera glanduligera). But perennial
plants that live for many years were more resilient.
It was also clear that landscapes benefit from a patchwork or a “mosaic”
pattern of fire, where some areas have burnt more recently than others.
Managing landscapes to create a mosaic pattern of fire history will ensure that
landscapes can support the requirements of a diverse range of species."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
