Do mixed species eucalyptus forests, such as those found in north east Victoria, use more water as they recover from fire?
Bushfire CRCFire Note 115 outlines research into the amount of water needed as forests recover after fire. Findings show that after three years mixed species eucalyptus forests that regenerate by sprouting do not use more water than similar unburnt forests. When the canopy in the regenerating forest closely resembles a mature, undisturbed forest, it is proposed that water use in the regenerating forest should not increase dramatically as the forest continues to move towards maturity. View the Fire Notehere.
View this Fire Note, and all previous issues, at www.bushfirecrc.com/firenotes
Fire Notes are research summaries in easy to understand language from the Bushfire CRC, which is conducting research into the social, environmental and economic impacts of bushfires.
Author: Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC