Macropod studies at Wallaby Creek. 3. The effect of fire on pasture utilization by macropodids and cattle

Abstract

Utilisation of pasture in relation to time since burning occurred was assessed on a monthly basis for 16 months, for three species of macropodids and cattle. Utilisation by the eastern grey kangaroo, red-necked wallaby and cattle increased after burning, but the magnitude and particularly the timing of the responses differed between species. Burning did not affect utilisation by the whiptail wallaby. Differential preferences for and utilisation of regrowth pasture, and interference interactions between cattle and macropods, are suggested as possible reasons for the differing responses.