Forgotten fauna: Habitat attributes of long-unburnt open forests and woodlands dictate a rethink of fire management theory and practice

Abstract

Thresholds for burning vegetation communities in New South Wales (NSW) are based on plant species’ responses to fire and do not consider other issues such as site attributes or fauna requirements. We investigated knowledge gaps concerning the impact of fire on habitat features of open forests and woodlands, and consider the adequacy of fire management based on the fire responses of flora. The consequences of managing fire at broader scales are complex and this study tests ideas concerning landscape attributes in relation to fire planning and biodiversity conservation. Habitat attributes of long unburnt vegetation were determined at sites with varying time since fire and fuel loads in these communities were measured. Time since fire was the most important variable for explaining the abundance of critical faunal habitat attributes. Tree and log hollows and fallen timber volume were markedly more abundant in long-unburnt vegetation, while fuel loads in open forests and woodlands unburnt for 100 or more years were low to moderate and similar to the hazard in recently burnt sites. Fire-interval thresholds based only on plant responses to fire compromises the achievement of optimal fauna habitat. Recommended upper thresholds are too low to cater for the habitat requirements of fauna. Consequently, long-unburnt vegetation should be identified as a threatened asset in fire planning and management and should be protected and actively promoted.