| Autor: |
Mackay, K. D., Vincent, B., Southwell, M., Growns, I., Mika, S. |
| Zdroj: |
Marine & Freshwater Research; 2024, Vol. 75 Issue 15, p1-10, 10p |
| Abstrakt: |
Context: Understanding fire and inundation impacts on wetland vegetation communities is crucial for effective post-fire wetland management. Aims: We aimed to determine the impact of post-fire inundation on plant community structure and seedling germination and establishment after a large wildfire. We asked two questions, namely (1) did fire, drought or inundation affect plant communities the most; and (2) did fire or inundation affect seedling germination and establishment? Methods: Using a before–after–control–impact (BACI) design, we monitored vegetation changes in water-couch wetland communities before and after a wildfire. Also, soil samples were collected from burnt and unburnt sites and assessed for impacts of fire and post-fire inundation regimes on seed germination and seedling establishment. Key results: Inundation variables had more pronounced and more consistent impacts on vegetation measures than did fire or drought variables. Fire impacts were mainly short-term, with impact thresholds at 72 and 143 days after fire. Low germination levels and zero seedling survival were observed without inundation. Conclusions: Fire was a major but short-term contributor to wetland vegetation change, whereas drought had longer-term impacts, and inundation regimes had the greatest impacts. Implications: Providing a range of inundation conditions post-fire may enhance wetland vegetation recovery and have modifying effects on invasive species. Understanding fire and inundation impacts on wetland vegetation communities is crucial for effective post-fire wetland management. Here, we measured fire and inundation impacts on water-couch marshland in the Gwydir Wetlands and showed that fire was a major but short-term contributor to wetland vegetation change, whereas drought had longer-term impacts, and inundation regimes had the greatest impacts. This article belongs to the collection Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Databáze: |
Complementary Index |
| Externí odkaz: |
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