Response to ‘Fire practices only ‘best’ if they promote a large seed buildup: comment on the conservation needs of a fire-killed grevillea’ (Lamont 2022)
Michelle McKemey A B * , The Banbai RangersC , John Hunter A , Emilie Ens D and Nick Reid AA Melaleuca Environmental Consultancy, Guyra, NSW 2365, Australia.
B University of New England, School of Environmental and Rural Science, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
C Banbai Rangers, Guyra, NSW 2365, Australia.
D Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
International Journal of Wildland Fire 31(8) 821-822 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF22089
Submitted: 3 June 2022 Accepted: 21 June 2022 Published: 20 July 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of IAWF.
Abstract
In response to Lamont’s critique, we highlight the nuances of modelling and observing population dynamics, the benefits of cross-cultural research and ongoing challenges for fire management. We reinforce our conclusion that cultural fire management supported by science provides the most adaptive approach to support the recovery of the Backwater grevillea.
Keywords: Aboriginal rangers, cross-cultural knowledge and practice, cultural fire, fire ecology, Indigenous knowledge, population dynamics, prescribed fire management, southeast Australia, threatened species, wildfire recovery.
References
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