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The effect of prescribed burning on the soil fauna and on litter decomposition in Western Australian forests
Author(s) -
SPRINGETT JOSEPHINE A.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
australian journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1442-9993
pISSN - 0307-692X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-9993.1976.tb01094.x
Subject(s) - litter , fauna , pinus pinaster , sclerophyll , prescribed burn , eucalyptus , ecology , environmental science , agroforestry , forestry , plant litter , soil biology , geography , biology , ecosystem , soil water , mediterranean climate
The effect of mild fires on the soil fauna was examined in a Pinus pinaster plantation and in Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and Karri (E. diversicolor) forests. In the pine plantation, litter decomposition ceases until four years after burning. In both native forests, species diversity and density are reduced after burning and do not recover their pre‐burning values during a normal prescribed burning rotation. Prescribed burning on a five to seven year rotation is likely to permanently simplify the litter fauna and flora, with far‐reaching effects on forest and hygiene.