Changed forest cover and fire effects

Daniel Collins' PhD study is looking at areas where there is geographic information system (GIS) or other mapping or aerial photo evidence of a changed forest cover in the wet tropics since European settlement.

Sites will be chosen to undertake field work to try to determine if there has been an increase in schlerophyll forest or rainforest. The schlerophyll forest will then be related to possible increased fire effects and whether these instances are examples that compare with the numerous predictions for changed forest cover expected with a changing climate.

If the fires are unnecessary and can be stopped, this should be investigated and if they seem inevitable due to increased schlerophyll forest growth this should be noted.