Cover

Contents

Foreword

Preface

1 Introduction

Introduction

Lives and assets at risk

Fire regimes and risks to ecological processes and biodiversity

2 Bushfires in Australia

Bushfires in Australia

An overall view

Bushfires in the southern forests

3 The nature of fire

The nature of fire

Sources of ignition

Fuels in the forest

Colour plates

4 Ecology, fire and the Australian biota

Ecology, fire and the Australian biota

Ecology: some dominant themes

Fire and the Australian biota

5 Fire and ecological processes

Fire and ecological processes

Introduction

Fire and carbon

Fire and nutrients

Fire and water

Concluding remarks – carbon, water and nutrients

6 Fire and climate change

Fire and climate change

Introduction

Future climates and fire weather

Changes in climate, forest productivity and fuels

Changing climates and plant adaptations

Changes in climate: fire and carbon budgets

Summary

7 Fighting fire with fire: I. Why fuel-reduction burning? Does it achieve its aims?

Fighting fire with fire: I. Why fuel-reduction burning? Does it achieve its aims?

Testing the hypothesis: ‘Fuel-reduction burning decreases intensity and rate of spread of subsequent bushfires’

Are we approaching a scientific consensus on fuel-reduction burning?

Summary

Appendix: Contrasting approaches: Western Australia versus New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory

8 Fighting fire with fire: II. Fuel-reduction burning and diversity

Fighting fire with fire: II. Fuel-reduction burning and diversity

The nature of research on fire regimes and diversity in southern forests

Planning fuel-reduction burning for diversity outcomes

Variability of fuel-reduction burns

Conclusion

Appendix: Ecological effects of repeated low-intensity fire in mixed eucalypt foothill forest in south-eastern Australia

9 Concluding comments: fuel reduction is essential for effective fire management in Australia

Concluding comments: fuel reduction is essential for effective fire management in Australia

10 key points: the case for fuel-reduction burning

10 key reasons (or excuses) for inadequate programs of fuel-reduction burning

Education and research

Epilogue: The Final Report of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission

Endnotes

References

Index