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Journal article
Animal population decline and recovery after severe fire: Relating ecological and life history traits with expert estimates of population impacts from the Australian 2019-20 megafires
Biological conservation, Vol.283, 110021
2023
Abstract
Catastrophic megafires can increase extinction risks; identifying species priorities for management and policy support is critical for preparing and responding to future fires. However, empirical data on population loss and recovery post-fire, especially megafire, are limited and taxonomically biased. These gaps could be bridged if species' morphological, behavioural, ecological and life history traits indicated their fire responses. Using expert elicitation that estimated population changes following the 2019–20 Australian megafires for 142 terrestrial and aquatic animal species (from every vertebrate class, one invertebrate group), we examined whether expert estimates of fire-related mortality, mortality in the year post-fire, and recovery trajectories over 10 years/three generations post-fire, were related to species traits. Expert estimates for fire-related mortality were lower for species that could potentially flee or shelter from fire, and that associated with fire-prone habitats. Post-fire mortality estimates were linked to diet, diet specialisation, home range size, and susceptibility to introduced herbivores that damage or compete for resources. Longer-term population recovery estimates were linked to diet/habitat specialisation, susceptibility to introduced species; species with slower life histories and shorter subadult dispersal distances also had lower recovery estimates. Across animal groups, experts estimated that recovery was poorest for species with pre-fire population decline and more threatened conservation status. Sustained management is likely needed to recover species with habitat and diet specialisations, slower life histories, pre-existing declines and threatened conservation statuses. This study shows that traits could help inform management priorities before and after future megafires, but further empirical data on animal fire response is essential.
Details
- Title
- Animal population decline and recovery after severe fire: Relating ecological and life history traits with expert estimates of population impacts from the Australian 2019-20 megafires
- Authors/Creators
- Michelle Ensbey - Charles Darwin UniversitySarah Legge - Charles Darwin UniversityChris J. Jolly - Macquarie UniversityStephen T. Garnett - Charles Darwin UniversityRachael V. Gallagher - Western Sydney UniversityMark Lintermans - University of CanberraDale G. Nimmo - Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW 2640, AustraliaLibby Rumpff - The University of MelbourneBen C. Scheele - University of CanberraNick S. Whiterod - Victor (Japan)John C.Z. Woinarski - Charles Darwin UniversityShane T. Ahyong - Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, AustraliaCaroline J. Blackmore - National Parks and Wildlife ServiceDeborah S. Bower - School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Elm Avenue, Armidale, NSW 2351, AustraliaAllan H. Burbidge - Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Bentley, WA 6983, AustraliaPhoebe A. Burns - Zoos VictoriaGavin Butler - Grafton Fisheries Centre, PMB 2, Grafton, NSW 2460, AustraliaRenee Catullo - School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, AustraliaDavid G. Chapple - Monash UniversityChristopher R. Dickman - The University of SydneyKatie E. Doyle - Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW 2640, AustraliaJason Ferris - ACTDiana O. Fisher - School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, AustraliaHayley M. Geyle - Charles Darwin UniversityGraeme R. Gillespie - Department of Planning and EnvironmentMatt J. Greenlees - Macquarie UniversityRosemary Hohnen - Charles Darwin UniversityConrad J. Hoskin - James Cook UniversityMark Kennard - Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111, AustraliaAlison J. King - La Trobe UniversityDiana Kuchinke - Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University, Mt Helen, Vic 3350, AustraliaBrad Law - Forest Science Unit, New South Wales Primary Industries, Locked Bag 5022, Parramatta, NSW 2124, AustraliaIvan Lawler - ACTSusan Lawler - La Trobe UniversityRichard Loyn - La Trobe UniversityDaniel Lunney - Australian Museum Research Institute, The Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, AustraliaJarod Lyon - Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental ResearchJosephine MacHunter - Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental ResearchMichael Mahony - School of Environment and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, AustraliaStephen Mahony - Australian Museum Research Institute, The Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, AustraliaRob McCormack - Australian Crayfish Project, c/Australian Aquatic Biological Pty Ltd, Swan Bay, NSW 2324, AustraliaJane Melville - Monash UniversityPeter Menkhorst - La Trobe UniversityDamian Michael - Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW 2640, AustraliaNicola Mitchell - School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, AustraliaEridani Mulder - Australian Wildlife ConservancyDavid Newell - Southern Cross UniversityLuke Pearce - New South Wales Department of Primary IndustriesTarmo A. Raadik - Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental ResearchJodi J.L. Rowley - Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, AustraliaHolly Sitters - Australian Wildlife ConservancyDarren G. Southwell - School of Environment and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, AustraliaRicky Spencer - Western Sydney UniversityMatt West - The University of MelbourneSylvia Zukowski - Victor (Japan)
- Publication Details
- Biological conservation, Vol.283, 110021
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Identifiers
- 991005580066907891
- Copyright
- Crown Copyright © 2023
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.40 Forestry
- 3.40.1598 Wildfire Dynamics
- Web Of Science research areas
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Ecology
- Environmental Sciences
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology