Fire and Weeds: Interactions and Management Implications

摘要

The landscape of eastern Indonesia and northern Australia has undoubtedly been largely shaped by fire. Frequent burning tends to convert forest into savanna and grassland by selecting against fire-sensitive trees and favouring fire-resistant grasses and shrubs. Fire can act as a disturbance, creating opportunities for weeds to invade. A reduction in fire can enable the reversion of grassland to woodland. Northern Australia has seen the relatively recent arrival of fire-resistant, giant, perennial, African grasses (e.g: Pennisetum polystachion, Andropogon gayanus and Panicum maximum), and eastern Indonesia has been invaded by a fire-resistant, scrambling, American shrub (Chromolaena odorata). These species interact with fire to create positive feedback loops that maintain and extend their dominance over the native flora. The implications of these introduced species for management are discussed.