The importance of fire in the success of a 15 hectare subtropical heathland translocation
Peter Dufourq A B and Alison Shapcott AA Genecology Research Centre, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Qld 4558, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: peterdufourq@gmail.com
Australian Journal of Botany 67(7) 531-545 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT19064
Submitted: 3 April 2019 Accepted: 16 October 2019 Published: 20 December 2019
Abstract
Fire is a key factor in the maintenance of many ecosystems; however, little is known on how it affects the success of translocated fire-dependent plant species and communities. Further, translocation success is currently limited, creating uncertainty around the effectiveness of translocations in mitigating the negative impacts of urbanisation on biodiversity. Translocation evaluations may improve future outcomes by providing vital information: therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term success of a large-scale subtropical heathland translocation as well as the impacts of a fire management regime eight years after it was completed. Original performance criteria and monitoring data combined with new site surveys were utilised to assess the ongoing success of the translocation. Specifically, the structure and composition of the heath vegetation and the population size and demographic structure of five specific threatened plant species were assessed. Results showed that translocation still met the performance criteria requirements and so can continue to be classed as a success. Fire played a key role in enabling the vegetation to meet the performance criteria by promoting regeneration of target species and maintaining community composition. This was likely supported by the immediate availability of seed through the preservation of the seedbank. Long-term success in translocated fire-dependent plant species and communities will depend largely on the application of appropriate fire regimes.
Additional keywords: diversity, fire management, heathland, performance criteria, translocation success.
References
Abeli T, Cauzzi P, Rossi G, Adorni M, Vagge I, Parolo G, Orsenigo S (2016) Restoring population structure and dynamics in translocated species: learning from wild populations. Plant Ecology 217, 183–192.| Restoring population structure and dynamics in translocated species: learning from wild populations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Andela N, Morton DC, Giglio L, Chen Y, van der Werf GR, Kasibhatla PS, DeFries RS, Collatz GJ, Hantson S, Kloster S, Bachelet D, Forrest M, Lasslop G, Li F, Mangeon S, Melton JR, Yue C, Randerson JT (2017) A human-driven decline in global burned area. Science 356, 1356–1362.
| A human-driven decline in global burned area.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28663495PubMed |
Aradottir AL (2012) Turf transplants for restoration of alpine vegetation: does size matter? Journal of Applied Ecology 49, 439–446.
| Turf transplants for restoration of alpine vegetation: does size matter?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Aradottir AL, Oskarsdottir G (2013) The use of native turf transplants for roadside: revegetation in a subarctic area. Icelandic Agricultural Sciences 26, 59–67.
Auld TD, Tozer M (1995) Patterns in emergence of Acacia and Grevillea seedlings after fire. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1, 5–15.
Australian Farm Forestry (2011) Annual report on Bundilla – USC translocation project. Australian Farm Forestry, Mapleton, Qld.
Australian Government (2012) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Available at: www.environment.gov.au/epbc (accessed 14 May 2017).
Bay RF, Ebersole JJ (2006) Success of turf transplants in restoring Alpine Trails, Colorado, USA. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 38, 173–178.
| Success of turf transplants in restoring Alpine Trails, Colorado, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Benwell AS (1998) Post-fire seedling recruitment in coastal heathland in relation to regeneration strategy and habitat. Australian Journal of Botany 46, 75–101.
| Post-fire seedling recruitment in coastal heathland in relation to regeneration strategy and habitat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Box J (2003) Critical factors and evaluation criteria for habitat translocation. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 46, 839–856.
| Critical factors and evaluation criteria for habitat translocation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Box J, Brown M, Coppin N, Hawkeswood N, Webb M, Hill A, Palmer Q, Le Duc M, Putwain P (2011) Experimental wet heath translocation in Dorset, England. Ecological Engineering 37, 158–171.
| Experimental wet heath translocation in Dorset, England.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bradshaw CJ (2012) Little left to lose: deforestation and forest degradation in Australia since European colonization. Journal of Plant Ecology 5, 109–120.
| Little left to lose: deforestation and forest degradation in Australia since European colonization.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bradstock RA, Tozer MG, Keith DA (1997) Effects of high frequency fire on floristic composition and abundance in a fire-prone heathland near Sydney. Australian Journal of Botany 45, 641–655.
| Effects of high frequency fire on floristic composition and abundance in a fire-prone heathland near Sydney.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Braun-Blanquet J (1932) ‘Plant sociology – the study of plant communities.’ (McGraw-Hill: New York)
Brownlie H, Playford J, Wallace H, Shapcott A (2009) Population ecology and genetics of the vulnerable Acacia attenuata (Mimosaceae) and their significance for its conservation, recovery and translocation. Australian Journal of Botany 57, 675–687.
| Population ecology and genetics of the vulnerable Acacia attenuata (Mimosaceae) and their significance for its conservation, recovery and translocation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bruelheide H, Flintrop T (2000) Evaluating the transplantation of a meadow in the Harz Mountains, Germany. Biological Conservation 92, 109–120.
| Evaluating the transplantation of a meadow in the Harz Mountains, Germany.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bullock JM (1998) Community translocation in Britain: setting objectives and measuring consequences. Biological Conservation 84, 199–214.
| Community translocation in Britain: setting objectives and measuring consequences.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Butt KR, Lowe CN, Walmsley T (2003) Development of earthworm communities in translocated grasslands at Manchester airport, UK. Pedobiologia 47, 788–791.
| Development of earthworm communities in translocated grasslands at Manchester airport, UK.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Clarke KR, Gorley RN (2006) ‘PRIMER v6: user manual/tutorial.’ (Primer: Plymouth, UK)
Conroy G (2012) The effects of fire and fragmentation upon two threatened coastal heath species, Acacia baueri ssp. baueri (Mimosaceae) and Blandfordia grandiflora (Blandfordiaceae). PhD thesis, University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Science and Engineering, Sippy Downs, Qld, Australia.
Department of Planning and Environment (2017) 2016 NSW projection data. Available at: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Research-and-Demography/Demography/Population-projections (accessed 7 June 2017).
Drayton B, Primack RB (2012) Success rates for reintroductions of eight perennial plant species after 15 years. Restoration Ecology 20, 299–303.
| Success rates for reintroductions of eight perennial plant species after 15 years.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
ESRI (2015) ‘ArcGIS Desktop: release 10.3.1.’ (Environmental Systems Research Institute: Redlands, CA, USA)
Freestone M, Wills TJ, Read J (2015) Post-fire succession during the long-term absence of fire in coastal heathland and a test of the chronosequence survey method. Australian Journal of Botany 63, 572–580.
| Post-fire succession during the long-term absence of fire in coastal heathland and a test of the chronosequence survey method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Godefroid S, Piazza C, Rossi G, Buord S, Stevens A-D, Aguraiuja R, Cowell C, Weekley CW, Vogg G, Iriondo JM, Johnson I, Dixon B, Gordon D, Magnanon S, Valentin B, Bjureke K, Koopman R, Vicens M, Virevaire M, Vanderborght T (2011) How successful are plant species reintroductions? Biological Conservation 144, 672–682.
| How successful are plant species reintroductions?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Good JEG, Wallace HL, Stevens PA, Radford GL (1999) Translocation of herb-rich grassland from a site in Wales prior to opencast coal extraction. Restoration Ecology 7, 336–347.
| Translocation of herb-rich grassland from a site in Wales prior to opencast coal extraction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gosper CR, Yates CJ, Prober SM (2012) Changes in plant species and functional composition with time since fire in two Mediterranean climate plant communities. Journal of Vegetation Science 23, 1071–1081.
| Changes in plant species and functional composition with time since fire in two Mediterranean climate plant communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gross CL, Mackay D (2014) Two decades of demography reveals that seed and seedling transitions limit population persistence in a translocated shrub. Annals of Botany 114, 85–96.
| Two decades of demography reveals that seed and seedling transitions limit population persistence in a translocated shrub.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24844983PubMed |
Grubb PJ (1977) The maintenance of species-richness in plant communities: the importance of the regeneration niche. Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society 52, 107–145.
| The maintenance of species-richness in plant communities: the importance of the regeneration niche.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Guerrant EO, Kaye TN (2007) Reintroduction of rare and endangered plants: common factors, questions and approaches. Australian Journal of Botany 55, 362–370.
| Reintroduction of rare and endangered plants: common factors, questions and approaches.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
IUCN/SSC (2013) ‘Guidelines for reintroductions and other conservation translocations.’ (IUCN Species Survival Commission: Gland, Switzerland) Available at: https://www.iucn.org/theme/species/publications/guidelines (accessed 12 March 2016)
Jellie ZV, Wills TJ, Kutt AS, Hemming VL, King DJ, McKenzie VJ, Retallick RWR, Timewell CA, van Eeden L (2014) Experimental slab salvage and reinstatement after pipeline construction in a threatened grassland community. Ecological Management & Restoration 15, 161–165.
| Experimental slab salvage and reinstatement after pipeline construction in a threatened grassland community.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johnson KA, Morrison DA, Goldsack G (1994) Post-fire flowering patterns in Blandfordia nobilis (Liliaceae). Australian Journal of Botany 42, 49–60.
| Post-fire flowering patterns in Blandfordia nobilis (Liliaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Keith D (1996) Fire-driven extinction of plant populations: a synthesis of theory and review of evidence from Australian vegetation. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 116, 37–78.
Keith DA, McCaw WL, Whelan RJ, Specht RL (2002) Fire regimes in Australian heathlands and their effects on plants and animals. In ‘Flammable Australia: the fire regimes and biodiversity of a continent’. (Eds RA Bradstock, JE Williams, MA Gill) pp. 199–237. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK)
Klimeš L, Jongepierová I, Doležal J, Klimešová J (2010) Restoration of a species-rich meadow on arable land by transferring meadow blocks. Applied Vegetation Science 13, 403–411.
| Restoration of a species-rich meadow on arable land by transferring meadow blocks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lamont BB, Downes KS (2011) Fire-stimulated flowering among resprouters and geophytes in Australia and South Africa. Plant Ecology 212, 2111–2125.
| Fire-stimulated flowering among resprouters and geophytes in Australia and South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
LAMR (2012) ‘2012 Review of translocation project of heathland from Bundilla to the University of the Sunshine Coast.’ (Landscape Assessment, Management and Rehabilitation Pty Ltd: Booval, Qld)
Le Stradic SS, Seleck M, Lebrun J, Boisson S, Handjila G, Faucon M-P, Enk T, Mahy G (2016) Comparison of translocation methods to conserve metallophyte communities in the southeastern DR Congo. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International 23, 13681–13692.
| Comparison of translocation methods to conserve metallophyte communities in the southeastern DR Congo.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mackenzie BDE, Auld TD, Keith DA, Hui FKC, Ooi MKJ (2016) The effect of seasonal ambient temperatures on fire-stimulated germination of species with physiological dormancy: a case study using Boronia (Rutaceae). PLoS One 11, e0156142
| The effect of seasonal ambient temperatures on fire-stimulated germination of species with physiological dormancy: a case study using Boronia (Rutaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Magurran A (1988) ‘Ecological diversity and its measurement.’ (Princeton University Press: Princeton, NJ, USA)
McFarland DC (1988) Fire and the vegetation composition and structure of subtropical heathlands in south-eastern Queensland. Australian Journal of Botany 36, 533–546.
| Fire and the vegetation composition and structure of subtropical heathlands in south-eastern Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McFarland DC (1991) The biology of the ground parrot, Pezoporus wallicus, in Queensland. I. Microhabitat use, activity cycle and diet. Wildlife Research 18, 169–184.
| The biology of the ground parrot, Pezoporus wallicus, in Queensland. I. Microhabitat use, activity cycle and diet.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Menges ES (2008) Turner review no. 16. Restoration demography and genetics of plants: When is a translocation successful? Australian Journal of Botany 56, 187–196.
| Turner review no. 16. Restoration demography and genetics of plants: When is a translocation successful?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Morgan JW (2000) Reproductive success in re-established versus natural populations of a threatened grassland daisy (Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides). Conservation Biology 14, 780–785.
| Reproductive success in re-established versus natural populations of a threatened grassland daisy (Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Morrison DA, Cary GJ, Pengelly SM, Ross DG, Mullins BJ, Thomas CR, Anderson TS (1995) Effects of fire frequency on plant species composition of sandstone communities in the Sydney region: inter-fire interval and time-since-fire. Australian Journal of Ecology 20, 239–247.
| Effects of fire frequency on plant species composition of sandstone communities in the Sydney region: inter-fire interval and time-since-fire.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Myerscough PJ, Clarke PJ (2007) Burnt to blazes: landscape fires, resilience and habitat interaction in frequently burnt coastal heath. Australian Journal of Botany 55, 91–102.
| Burnt to blazes: landscape fires, resilience and habitat interaction in frequently burnt coastal heath.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Myerscough PJ, Clarke PJ, Skelton NJ (1995) Plant coexistence in coastal heaths: floristic patterns and species attributes. Australian Journal of Ecology 20, 482–493.
| Plant coexistence in coastal heaths: floristic patterns and species attributes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Myerscough PJ, Clarke PJ, Skelton NJ (1996) Plant coexistence in coastal heaths: habitat segregation in the post-fire environment. Austral Ecology 21, 47–54.
| Plant coexistence in coastal heaths: habitat segregation in the post-fire environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nield AP, Ladd PG, Yates CJ (2009) Reproductive biology, post-fire succession dynamics and population viability analysis of the critically endangered Western Australian shrub Calytrix breviseta subsp. breviseta (Myrtaceae). Australian Journal of Botany 57, 451–464.
| Reproductive biology, post-fire succession dynamics and population viability analysis of the critically endangered Western Australian shrub Calytrix breviseta subsp. breviseta (Myrtaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pavlik BM (1996) Defining and measuring success. In ‘Restoring diversity. Strategies for reintroduction of endangered plants’. (Eds DA Falk, CI Millar, M Olwell) pp. 127–156. (Island Press: Washington, DC)
Pywell RF, Meek WR, Webb NR, Putwain PD, Bullock JM (2011) Long-term heathland restoration on former grassland: the results of a 17-year experiment. Biological Conservation 144, 1602–1609.
| Long-term heathland restoration on former grassland: the results of a 17-year experiment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Queensland Government (1992) ‘Nature conservation (Wildlife) regulation.’ (Queensland State Government: Brisbane, Qld)
Queensland Herbarium (2017) ‘Biodiversity status of 2015 remnant regional ecosystems of Queensland, ver. 10.0 (January 2017).’ (Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation: Brisbane, Qld) Available at: qldspatial.information.qld.gov.au/catalogue (accessed 17 February 2017)
Reiter N, Whitfield J, Pollard G, Bedggood W, Argall M, Dixon K, Davis B, Swarts N (2016) Orchid re-introductions: an evaluation of success and ecological considerations using key comparative studies from Australia. Plant Ecology 217, 81–95.
| Orchid re-introductions: an evaluation of success and ecological considerations using key comparative studies from Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rita J, Cursach J (2013) Creating new populations of Apium bermejoi (Apiaceae), a critically endangered endemic plant on Menorca (Balearic Islands). Anales del Jardin Botanico de Madrid 70, 27–38.
| Creating new populations of Apium bermejoi (Apiaceae), a critically endangered endemic plant on Menorca (Balearic Islands).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Santala KR, Monet S, McCaffrey T, Campbell D, Beckett P, Ryser P (2016) Using turf transplants to reintroduce native forest understory plants into smelter-disturbed forests. Restoration Ecology 24, 346–353.
| Using turf transplants to reintroduce native forest understory plants into smelter-disturbed forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sawtschuk J, Gallet S, Bioret F (2012) Evaluation of the most common engineering methods for maritime cliff-top vegetation restoration. Ecological Engineering 45, 45–54.
| Evaluation of the most common engineering methods for maritime cliff-top vegetation restoration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shapcott A, Lamont RW, Thomson A (2005) How do rare Boronia species differ from their more widespread congeners? Australian Journal of Botany 53, 171–183.
| How do rare Boronia species differ from their more widespread congeners?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shapcott A, Lamont RW, McVey M, Brownlie H (2006) ‘Report on the population demographic and genetic structure of the populations of threatened plant species on the Bundilla translocation site.’ (University of the Sunshine Coast: Sippy Downs, Qld) Available at: https://research.usc.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/usc:1509 (accessed 12 March 2016)
Shapcott A, Olsen M, Lamont RW (2009) The importance of genetic considerations for planning translocations of the rare coastal heath species Boronia rivularis (Rutaceae) in Queensland. Ecological Restoration 27, 47–57.
| The importance of genetic considerations for planning translocations of the rare coastal heath species Boronia rivularis (Rutaceae) in Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Silcock JL, Simmons CL, Monks L, Dillon R, Reiter N, Jusaitis M, Vesk PA, Byrne M, Coates DJ (2019) Threatened plant translocation in Australia: a review. Biological Conservation 236, 211–222.
| Threatened plant translocation in Australia: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Soorae PS (Ed.) (2011) ‘Global re-introduction perspectives: 2011. More case studies from around the globe.’ (IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group and Abu Dhabi Environment Agency: Gland, Switzerland) Available at: https://www.iucn.org/content/global-re-introduction-perspectives-2011-more-case-studies-around-globe (accessed 12 March 2016)
Specht RL (1970) Vegetation. In ‘Australian environment’. 4th edn (Ed. GW Leeper) pp. 44–67. (Melbourne University Press: Melbourne, Vic.)
Specht RL, Specht A (1989) Species richness of sclerophyll (heathy) plant communities in Australia – the influence of overstorey cover. Australian Journal of Botany 37, 337–350.
| Species richness of sclerophyll (heathy) plant communities in Australia – the influence of overstorey cover.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Suding K (2011) Toward an era of restoration in ecology: successes, failures, and opportunities ahead. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics 42, 465–487.
| Toward an era of restoration in ecology: successes, failures, and opportunities ahead.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tozer MG, Bradstock RA (2003) Fire-mediated effects of overstorey on plant species diversity and abundance in an eastern Australian heath. Plant Ecology 164, 213–223.
| Fire-mediated effects of overstorey on plant species diversity and abundance in an eastern Australian heath.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Trueman I, Mitchell D, Besenyei L (2007) The effects of turf translocation and other environmental variables on the vegetation of a large species-rich mesotrophic grassland. Ecological Engineering 31, 79–91.
| The effects of turf translocation and other environmental variables on the vegetation of a large species-rich mesotrophic grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weeks AR, Sgro CM, Young AG, Frankham R, Mitchell NJ, Miller KA, Byrne M, Coates DJ, Eldridge MDB, Sunnucks P, Breed MF, James EA, Hoffman AA (2011) Assessing the benefits and risks of translocations in changing environments: a genetic perspective. Evolutionary Applications 4, 709–725.
| Assessing the benefits and risks of translocations in changing environments: a genetic perspective.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22287981PubMed |
Zammit C, Westoby M (1987) Population structure and reproductive status of two Banksia shrubs at various times after fire. Vegetatio 70, 11–20.