Areas that had multiple fires prior to 2019–20 had greater biodiversity losses when Black Summer fires hit compared to areas that had burnt once or not all beforehand.
)A new study examining plant and animal species after the Black Summer fire season found greater biodiversity loss in areas subject to frequent burning.
But the severity of these losses depended largely on past fire history within the 10.3 million hectares that burnt, according to a new studyThe study analysed 62 datasets compiled from several universities and government departments containing 810,000 records of 2,200 plant and animal species in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
While overall Black Summer had a 55 per cent negative impact on the amount of different species, 44 per cent was positive. "More fires in recent years, higher levels of drought impact, and less protected area were all associated with greater destabilisation," he said. He also noted the study found slightly fewer negative impacts to biodiversity within nature reserves and national parks, but not state forests that still included recreational and logging uses.
The spokesperson said the government recognised the threat of megafires and was considering ongoing research around biodiversity as it developed its new strategic bushfire management plan.
Bushfires Fires Wildfire Biodiversity Prescribed Burning Does Prescribed Burning Work?
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