NZ Fire Ecology

Describe how fire was used on tussock grasslands

Burning high country tussock grassland was a regular practice until they discovered that burning later in the growing season killed over 75% of tussock tillers and resulted in their death (compared to burns in damp conditions only killing 35% of tillers), burning as a farming practice now requires resource consent

Types of adaptations to fire

Underground tubers that send up shoots after fire, protected buds, thick bark, serotiny

What is serotiny

It is an adaptation to fire where seeds are retained on plant in woody capsules and are only released by heat of fire which often kills the adult plant creating space for seedling recruitment

How do different kinds of species respond to fire

Most of the canopy dominant species were non-resprouters but many smaller trees and shrubs were capable of resprouting

Example of a NZ plant species with serotiny

Manuka

The importance of hybrid/transition forests

Mixed exotic-native forests are suitable for some native species, could build permanent forests with reduced fire risk and added cultural/biodiversity value

What kind of vegetation tends to be less flammable

Highly diverse vegetation