Fire in the landscape

This online forum took place on Friday 29 August 2014

Duration: 1 hour approx

Presenters: 

• Dr Tarryn Turnbull, University of Sydney

• Dr Petter Nyman University of Melbourne

• Dr Chris Weston, University of Melbourne

• Dr Adam Leavesley, Lead end user, ACT Parks, Conservation and Lands

Research projects covered: Fires and hydrology of south-eastern mixed-species forests, Quantifying water quality risks following bushfire, Greenhouse gas emissions from fire and Environmental impact of prescribed and bushfire - emissions management

What's it about?

Fire, like rain, heat, drought and human activity, has long been a contributor to the nature of the Australian landscape. It can be destructive and beneficial. In all ecosystems, too much, too little, or the wrong kind of fire can have profound effects.

This forum revealed the findings of four key studies by University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney researchers on the impact  of fire on our landscape in terms of water quantity and quality and the changing nature of carbon stores (above and below the ground).

The first two studies focused on the role and impact of planned and unplanned fire in water quality and quantity from catchment forests in south-eastern Australia.

Specifically, this work addressed broad management questions faced by land managers about the volume of water used by trees after fire, the quantity of water that goes into catchments, and water quality fitness for use in towns and cities.

The other two studies concentrated on the quantification of carbon losses during fire, a key issue emerging from climate change and increasing greenhouse gases within our atmosphere.

Overview of the research

Watch a replay of the forum

Who attended?

• Land managers
• Environmental managers
• Fire managers
• Fire planners
• Catchment managers

Key resources you should know about

• Fire Note On Fire In The Landscape - Fire Note 130: Fire in the landscape - assessing the impact
• Fire Note on Fires and hydrology - Fire Note 115: Quantifying the impact of fire on tree water use 
• Fire Note on Water quality risks - Fire Note 90: Erosion risk to water resources in fire and rainfall regimes
• Fire Note on Greenhouse gas emissions - Fire Note 110: Smoke composition and the flammability of forests and grasslands
• Fire Note on Environmental impact of prescribed and wildfire - Fire Note 96: Environmental impacts of prescribed and wildfire emissions management
• Fire in the Landscape final report
• Fire Australia article - Fire in the landscape: Lessons learned