Regeneration of Vegetation in the Brisbane Ranges After Fire and Infestation by Phytophthora cinnamomi

Abstract

The distribution, population density and regeneration of some prominent spp. of understorey and overstorey (dominant Eucalyptus spp.) were monitored over a period of 20 yr in seasonally well drained dry sclerophyll forest. Changes varied with susceptibility to the pathogen and to fire. Changes in spp. composition and crown density of the overstorey were attributed to fire. Population density, basal area and crown cover of the Eucalyptus spp. which were associated with the pathogen, also declined in 1962-82.

Both distribution and population density of Xanthorrhoea australis and Isopogon ceratophyllus declined markedly following the spread of infestation, whereas those of Hakea sericea and Lepidosperma semiteres increased. Regeneration of X. australis but not of I. Ceratophyllus was observed in certain areas of the infested plots 12-20 years after infection. This is the first record of such regeneration. It is postulated that a bush fire in 1967 both stimulated X. australis seed production and reduced further an already declining pathogen inoculum density.