Vertebrate fauna and fire regimes: a conceptual model to aid fire research and management

Abstract

Vertebrate fauna respond actively to individual fires by movement before and after the event, as well as by mortality and reproduction at the population level. They rely very much on mechanisms for avoiding fire fronts and ex situ recolonisation of burnt and regenerating habitat, as well as in situ survival. This sets them apart from most plant species and the more sedentary examples of invertebrate fauna. Rates of recolonisation after fire events depend on habitat development, and this includes both structure and floristic aspects of the vegetation, and also on accessibility of refuge habitat. Strategies for conserving vertebrate fauna need to take a broad landscape perspective to ensure that fire regimes are designed so that species can survive particular fire events in the broad landscape, and have potential to recolonise habitat as it becomes suitable over time. Long-unburnt vegetation provides important habitat for some species and should be valued accordingly. Long time-frames may be needed for some structural elements to develop after severe fires. Hence it is necessary to think big in managing habitat for vertebrate fauna, at both spatial and temporal scales. A conceptual model is offered for doing this, and a research program is described which aims to provide the detail necessary to make appropriate settings in policy and management frameworks.