Fire-Stick Forestry: A Matrix Model in Support of Skilful Fire Management of Callitris intratropica R. T. Baker by North Australian Aborigenes

Abstract

The response of a monospecific stand of Callitris intratropica R. T. Baker & H. G. Smith to a range of fire intensities and inter-fire periods were simulated using a stage based matrix model. The model used published values for life history parameters and incorporated linear density dependence in fecundity and growth. Mild fires (i.e. those that killed to mature trees) with mean period between 2 to 8 years maintained a healthy stand structure. More frequent or more intense fires resulted in damage or extinction of the stand, whereas decreasing frequency or intensity yielded stands which were heavily stocked with saplings, few of which were recruited into the larger size classes. These results were largely insensitive to modification of life history parameters. We conclude that stands of C. intratropica on sites without topographic fire-protection must have been maintained by Aboriginal fire management. Observed damage and decline of C. intratropica stands is consistent with a reversion to uncontrolled fire regimes in the recent past.