Register      Login
International Journal of Wildland Fire International Journal of Wildland Fire Society
Journal of the International Association of Wildland Fire
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Delivering effective savanna fire management for defined biodiversity conservation outcomes: an Arnhem Land case study

Jay Evans A B C and Jeremy Russell-Smith A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research, Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia.

B Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre, East Melbourne, Vic 3002, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: jay.evans@cdu.edu.au

International Journal of Wildland Fire 29(5) 386-400 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF18126
Submitted: 5 August 2018  Accepted: 15 January 2019   Published: 26 February 2019

Abstract

Given the recent history of frequent and extensive late dry season wildfire in Australia’s fire-prone northern savannas, regional conservation-based fire management programs typically aim to mitigate wildfire through the use of strategic prescribed burning during the cooler early dry season. However, it remains unclear as to the extent such environmental management concerns are being addressed by these renewed fire management efforts. This study documents changes in fire regime in the western Arnhem Land region of northern Australia associated with the implementation of active fire management since 2006. Over a 12-year period, the regional fire regime has transitioned from late dry season, wildfire-dominated to being characterised by a majority of fires occurring as small early dry season prescribed burns. Although overall area burnt has not significantly decreased, most ecological threshold metrics have improved, with the exception of those describing the maintenance of longer-unburnt habitat. Challenges involved with defining, delivering, monitoring and evaluating heterogeneity targets are discussed.

Additional keywords: ecological thresholds, fire regimes, prescribed burning.


References

Andersen A, Cook G, Corbett L, Douglas M, Eager R, Russell-Smith J, Setterfield S, Williams R, Woinarski JC (2005) Fire frequency and biodiversity conservation in Australian tropical savannas: implications from the Kapalga fire experiment. Austral Ecology 30, 155–167.
Fire frequency and biodiversity conservation in Australian tropical savannas: implications from the Kapalga fire experiment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ansell J, Evans J, Adjumarllarl Rangers, Arafura Swamp Rangers, Djelk Rangers, Jawoyn Rangers, Mimal Rangers, Numbulwar Numburindi Rangers, Warddeken Rangers, Yirralka Rangers, Yugul Mangi Rangers (2019) Contemporary Aboriginal savanna burning projects in Arnhem Land: A regional description and analysis of the fire management aspirations of Traditional Owners. International Journal of Wildland Fire 2810.1071/WF18152

Australian Government (2016) ‘Kakadu National Park: management plan 2016–2026 : a living cultural landscape.’ (Australian Government: Canberra, ACT, Australia)

Barrow PH (2009) The role of fire in the ecology of Leichhardt’s grasshopper (Petasida ephippigera) and its food plants, Pityrodia spp. PhD thesis, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT. Available at https://espace.cdu.edu.au/eserv/cdu:9374/Thesis_CDU_9374_Barrow_P.pdf [Verified 16 May 2017]

Bowman DMJS, Panton WJ (1993) Decline of Callitris intratropica in the Northern Territory: implications for pre- and post-European colonization fire regimes. Journal of Biogeography 20, 373–381.
Decline of Callitris intratropica in the Northern Territory: implications for pre- and post-European colonization fire regimes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bowman DMJS, Price O, Whitehead PJ, Walsh A (2001) The ‘wilderness effect’ and the decline of Callitris intratropica on the Arnhem Land Plateau, northern Australia. Australian Journal of Botany 49, 665–672.
The ‘wilderness effect’ and the decline of Callitris intratropica on the Arnhem Land Plateau, northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bradstock RA, Bedward M, Gill AM, Cohn JS (2005) Which mosaic? A landscape ecological approach for evaluating interactions between fire regimes, habitat and animals. Wildlife Research 32, 409–423.
Which mosaic? A landscape ecological approach for evaluating interactions between fire regimes, habitat and animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Brockett BH, Biggs HC, van Wilgen BW (2001) A patch mosaic burning system for conservation areas in southern African savannas. International Journal of Wildland Fire 10, 169–183.

Burrows GE, Hornby SK, Waters DA, Bellairs SM, Prior LD, Bowman DMJS (2010) A wide diversity of epicormic structures is present in Myrtaceae species in the northern Australian savanna biome – implications for adaptation to fire. Australian Journal of Botany 58, 493–507.
A wide diversity of epicormic structures is present in Myrtaceae species in the northern Australian savanna biome – implications for adaptation to fire.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Commonwealth of Australia (2012) The nationally protected Arnhem Plateau Sandstone Shrubland Complex. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Australian Government. (Canberra, ACT, Australia). Available at http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/nationally-protected-arnhem-plateau-sandstone-shrubland-complex [Verified 23 February 2017]

Cooke PM (2009) Buffalo and tin, baki and Jesus: the creation of a modern wilderness. In ‘Culture, ecology and economy of savanna fire management in north Australian savannas: rekindling the Wurrk tradition’. (Eds J Russell-Smith, P Whitehead, P Cooke) pp. 69–83. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne, Vic., Australia)

Douglas MM, Setterfield SA, McGuinness K, Lake PS (2015) The impact of fire on riparian vegetation in Australia’s tropical savanna. Freshwater Science 34, 1351–1365.
The impact of fire on riparian vegetation in Australia’s tropical savanna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dyer R, Jacklyn P, Partridge I, Russell-Smith J, Williams RJ (Eds) (2001) ‘Savanna burning: understanding and using fire in northern Australia.’ (Tropical Savannas Management Cooperative Research Centre: Darwin, NT, Australia)

Edwards AC, Russell-Smith J (2009) Ecological thresholds and the status of fire-sensitive vegetation in western Arnhem Land, northern Australia: implications for management. International Journal of Wildland Fire 18, 127–146.
Ecological thresholds and the status of fire-sensitive vegetation in western Arnhem Land, northern Australia: implications for management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Edwards AC, Russell-Smith J, Maier SW (2018) A comparison and validation of satellite-derived fire severity mapping techniques in fire prone-north Australian savannas: extreme fires and tree stem mortality. Remote Sensing of Environment 206, 287–299.
A comparison and validation of satellite-derived fire severity mapping techniques in fire prone-north Australian savannas: extreme fires and tree stem mortality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Edwards A, Russell-Smith J, Maier SW (2015) Chapter 8. Measuring and Mapping Fire Severity in the Tropical Savannas. ‘Carbon Accounting and Savanna Fire Management’. (Eds B Murphy, A Edwards, M Meyer, J Russell-Smith) pp. 169–181. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

Firth R, Woinarski J, Noske R (2006) Home range and den characteristics of the brush-tailed rabbit-rat (Conillurus penicillatus) in the monsoonal tropics of the Northern Territory, Australia. Wildlife Research 33, 397–408.
Home range and den characteristics of the brush-tailed rabbit-rat (Conillurus penicillatus) in the monsoonal tropics of the Northern Territory, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Franklin D (1999) Evidence of disarray amongst granivorous bird assemblages in the savannas of northern Australia, a region of sparse human settlement. Biological Conservation 90, 53–68.
Evidence of disarray amongst granivorous bird assemblages in the savannas of northern Australia, a region of sparse human settlement.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fraser BF, Lawson V, Morrison S, Christophersen P, McGreggor S, Rawlinson M (2003) Fire management experiment for the declining partridge pigeon, Kakadu National Park. Ecological Management & Restoration 4, 94–102.
Fire management experiment for the declining partridge pigeon, Kakadu National Park.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Freeman J, Edwards AC, Russell-Smith J (2017) Fire-driven decline of endemic Allosyncarpia monsoon rainforests in northern Australia. Forests 8, 481–502.
Fire-driven decline of endemic Allosyncarpia monsoon rainforests in northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Friend JA, Taylor GA (1985) Habitat preferences of small mammals in tropical open-forests of northern Australia. Australian Journal of Ecology 10, 173–185.

Garde M, Nadjamerrek LB, Kolkkiwarra M, Kalarriya J, Djandjomerr J, Birriyabirriya B, Bilindja R, Kubarkku M, Biless P (2009) The language of fire: seasonality, resources and landscape burning on the Arnhem land plateau. In ‘Culture, ecology and economy of fire management in north Australian savannas: rekindling the Wurrk tradition’. (Eds J Russell-Smith, P Whitehead, P Cooke) pp. 86–164. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne, Vic., Australia)

Higgins SI, Bond WJ, February EC, Bronn A, Euston-Brown DIW, Enslin B, Govender N, Rademan L, O’Regan S, Potgieter ALF, Scheiter S, Sowry R, Trollope L, Trollope WSW (2007) Effects of four decades of fire manipulation on woody vegetation structure in savanna. Ecology 88, 1119–1125.
Effects of four decades of fire manipulation on woody vegetation structure in savanna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17536398PubMed |

Hill RS (1994) ‘History of Australian vegetation: Cretaceous to recent.’ (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK)

Hohnen R, Tuft KD, Legge S, Radford IJ, Carver S, Johnson CN (2015) Post-fire habitat use of the golden-backed tree-rat (Mesembriomys macrurus) in the north-west Kimberley, Western Australia. Austral Ecology 40, 941–952.
Post-fire habitat use of the golden-backed tree-rat (Mesembriomys macrurus) in the north-west Kimberley, Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Jones R (1969) Fire stick farming. Australian Natural History 16, 224–228.

Kerle JA (1998) The population dynamics of a tropical possum, Trichosurus vulpecula arnhemensis Collett. Wildlife Research 25, 171–181.
The population dynamics of a tropical possum, Trichosurus vulpecula arnhemensis Collett.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kutt AS, Woinarski JCZ (2007) The effects of grazing and fire on vegetation and the vertebrate assemblage in a tropical savanna woodland in north-eastern Australia. Journal of Tropical Ecology 23, 95–106.
The effects of grazing and fire on vegetation and the vertebrate assemblage in a tropical savanna woodland in north-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lawes MJ, Murphy BP, Fisher A, Woinarski JCZ, Edwards AC, Russell-Smith J (2015) Small mammals decline with increasing fire extent in northern Australia: evidence from long-term monitoring in Kakadu National Park. International Journal of Wildland Fire 24, 712–722.
Small mammals decline with increasing fire extent in northern Australia: evidence from long-term monitoring in Kakadu National Park.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Leahy L, Legge SM, Tuft K, McGregor HW, Barmuta LA, Jones ME, Johnson CN (2015) Amplified predation after fire suppresses rodent populations in Australia’s tropical savannas. Wildlife Research 42, 705–716.
Amplified predation after fire suppresses rodent populations in Australia’s tropical savannas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Legge S, Murphy S, Kingswood R, Maher B, Swan D (2011) EcoFire: restoring the biodiversity values of the Kimberley region by managing fire. Ecological Management & Restoration 12, 84–92.
EcoFire: restoring the biodiversity values of the Kimberley region by managing fire.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Legge S, Garnett S, Maute K, Heathcote J, Murphy S, Woinarski JC, Astheimer L (2015) A landscape-scale, applied fire management experiment promotes recovery of a population of the threatened Gouldian finch, Erythrura gouldiae, in Australia’s tropical savannas. PLoS One 10, e0137997
A landscape-scale, applied fire management experiment promotes recovery of a population of the threatened Gouldian finch, Erythrura gouldiae, in Australia’s tropical savannas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26445496PubMed |

Lowe L (1995) Preliminary investigations of the biology and management of Leichhardt’s grasshopper, Petasida ephippigera White. Journal of Orthoptera Research 4, 219–221.
Preliminary investigations of the biology and management of Leichhardt’s grasshopper, Petasida ephippigera White.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

McGarigal K, Tagil S, Cushman SA (2009) Surface metrics: an alternative to patch metrics for the quantification of landscape structure. Landscape Ecology 24, 433–450.
Surface metrics: an alternative to patch metrics for the quantification of landscape structure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

McGarigal K, Cushman S, Ene E (2012) FRAGSTATS v4: spatial pattern analysis program for categorical and continuous maps. University of Massachusetts. (Amherst, MA, USA). Available at http://www.umass.edu/landeco/research/fragstats/fragstats.html [Verified 15 July 2018]

McGregor HW, Cliff HB, Kanowski J (2017) Habitat preference for fire scars by feral cats in Cape York peninsula. Australian Wildlife Research 43, 623–633.
Habitat preference for fire scars by feral cats in Cape York peninsula.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Murphy B Murphy B Murphy B (2015) Prescribed burning protects endangered tropical heathlands of the Arnhem Plateau, northern Australia. Journal of Applied Ecology 52, 980–991.
Prescribed burning protects endangered tropical heathlands of the Arnhem Plateau, northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Murphy BP, Bradstock RA, Boer MM, Carter J, Cary GJ, Cochrane MA, Fensham RJ, Russell-Smith J, Williamson GJ, Bowman DMJS, Ladiges P (2013) Fire regimes of Australia: a pyrogeographic model system. Journal of Biogeography 40, 1048–1058.
Fire regimes of Australia: a pyrogeographic model system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Oakwood M (2002) Spatial and social organization of a carnivorous marsupial Dasyurus hallucatus (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae). Journal of Zoology 257, 237–248.
Spatial and social organization of a carnivorous marsupial Dasyurus hallucatus (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Oliveira SL, Campagnolo ML, Price OF, Edwards AC, Russell-Smith J (2015) Ecological implications of fine-scale patchiness and severity in tropical savannas. Fire Ecology 11, 10–31.

Parr CL, Andersen AN (2006) Patch mosaic burning for biodiversity conservation: a critique of the pyrodiversity paradigm. Conservation Biology 20, 1610–1619.
Patch mosaic burning for biodiversity conservation: a critique of the pyrodiversity paradigm.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17181796PubMed |

   (a) Petty A, Alderson J, Muller R, Scheibe O, Wilson K, Winderlich S (2007) ‘Kakadu National Park: Arnhem Plateau Draft Fire Management Plan.’ (Kakadu National Park and Tropical Savannas Cooperative Research Centre: Jabiru, Australia)

Preece ND (2013) Tangible evidence of historic Australian indigenous savanna management. Austral Ecology 38, 241–250.
Tangible evidence of historic Australian indigenous savanna management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Price OF (2015) Potential role of ignition management in reducing unplanned burning in Arnhem Land, Australia. Austral Ecology 40, 857–868.
Potential role of ignition management in reducing unplanned burning in Arnhem Land, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Price O, Russell-Smith J, Edwards A (2003) Fine-scale patchiness of different fire intensities in sandstone heath vegetation in northern Australia. International Journal of Wildland Fire 12, 227–236.
Fine-scale patchiness of different fire intensities in sandstone heath vegetation in northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Price OF, Edwards A, Connors G, Woinarski J, Ryan G, Turner A, Russell-Smith J (2005) Fire heterogeneity in Kakadu National Park, 1980–2000. Wildlife Research 32, 425–433.
Fire heterogeneity in Kakadu National Park, 1980–2000.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Price OF, Edwards AC, Russell-Smith J (2007) Efficacy of permanent firebreaks and aerial prescribed burning in western Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. International Journal of Wildland Fire 16, 295–307.
Efficacy of permanent firebreaks and aerial prescribed burning in western Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Price OF, Russell-Smith J, Watt F (2012) The influence of prescribed fire on the extent of wildfire in savanna landscapes of western Arnhem Land, Australia. International Journal of Wildland Fire 21, 297–305
The influence of prescribed fire on the extent of wildfire in savanna landscapes of western Arnhem Land, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Radford IJ (2012) Threatened mammals become more predatory after small-scale prescribed fires in a high-rainfall rocky savanna. Austral Ecology 37, 926–935.
Threatened mammals become more predatory after small-scale prescribed fires in a high-rainfall rocky savanna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Radford IJ, Gibson LA, Corey B, Carnes K, Fairman R (2015) Influence of fire mosaics, habitat characteristics and cattle disturbance on mammals in fire-prone savanna landscapes of the northern Kimberley. PLoS One 10, e0130721
Influence of fire mosaics, habitat characteristics and cattle disturbance on mammals in fire-prone savanna landscapes of the northern Kimberley.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26121581PubMed |

Russell-Smith J (2006) Recruitment dynamics of the long-lived obligate seeders Callitris intratropica (Cupressaceae) and Petraeomyrtus punicea (Myrtaceae). Australian Journal of Botany 54, 479–485.
Recruitment dynamics of the long-lived obligate seeders Callitris intratropica (Cupressaceae) and Petraeomyrtus punicea (Myrtaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Russell-Smith J, Edwards AC (2006) Seasonality and fire severity in savanna landscapes of monsoonal northern Australia. International Journal of Wildland Fire 15, 541–550
Seasonality and fire severity in savanna landscapes of monsoonal northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Russell-Smith J, Lucas DE, Brock J, Bowman DMJS (1993) Allosyncarpia-dominated rain forest in monsoonal northern Australia. Journal of Vegetation Science 4, 67–82.
Allosyncarpia-dominated rain forest in monsoonal northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Russell-Smith J, Lucas D, Gapindi M, Gunbunuka B, Kapirigi N, Namingum G, Lucas K, Giuliani P, Chaloupka G (1997a) Aboriginal resource utilization and fire management practice in western Arnhem Land, monsoonal northern Australia: notes for prehistory, lessons for the future. Human Ecology 25, 159–195.
Aboriginal resource utilization and fire management practice in western Arnhem Land, monsoonal northern Australia: notes for prehistory, lessons for the future.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Russell-Smith J, Ryan PG, Durieu R (1997b) A LANDSAT MSS-derived fire history of Kakadu National Park, monsoonal northern Australia, 1980–94: seasonal extent, frequency and patchiness. Journal of Applied Ecology 34, 748–766
A LANDSAT MSS-derived fire history of Kakadu National Park, monsoonal northern Australia, 1980–94: seasonal extent, frequency and patchiness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Russell-Smith J, Ryan PG, Klessa D, Waight G, Harwood R (1998) Fire regimes, fire-sensitive vegetation, and fire management of the sandstone Arnhem Plateau, monsoonal northern Australia. Journal of Applied Ecology 35, 829–846.
Fire regimes, fire-sensitive vegetation, and fire management of the sandstone Arnhem Plateau, monsoonal northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Russell-Smith J, Ryan PG, Cheal DC (2002) Fire regimes and the conservation of sandstone heath in monsoonal northern Australia: frequency, interval, patchiness. Biological Conservation 104, 91–106.
Fire regimes and the conservation of sandstone heath in monsoonal northern Australia: frequency, interval, patchiness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Russell-Smith J, Whitehead PJ, Cook GD, Hoare JL (2003) Response of eucalyptus-dominated savanna to frequent fires: lessons from Munmarlary, 1973–1996. Ecological Monographs 73, 349–375.
Response of eucalyptus-dominated savanna to frequent fires: lessons from Munmarlary, 1973–1996.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Russell-Smith J, Murphy BP, Meyer CP, Cook GD, Maier S, Edwards AC, Schatz J, Brocklehurst P (2009) Improving estimates of savanna burning emissions for greenhouse accounting in northern Australia: limitations, challenges, applications. International Journal of Wildland Fire 18, 1
Improving estimates of savanna burning emissions for greenhouse accounting in northern Australia: limitations, challenges, applications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Russell-Smith J, Price O, Murphy BP (2010) Managing the matrix: decadal responses of eucalypt-dominated mesic savanna to ambient fire regimes. Ecological Applications 20, 1615–1632.
Managing the matrix: decadal responses of eucalypt-dominated mesic savanna to ambient fire regimes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20945763PubMed |

Russell-Smith J, Edwards AC, Price OF (2012) Simplifying the savanna: the trajectory of fire-sensitive vegetation mosaics in northern Australia. Journal of Biogeography 39, 1303–1317.
Simplifying the savanna: the trajectory of fire-sensitive vegetation mosaics in northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Russell-Smith J, Edwards A, Woinarski J, Fisher A, Murphy B, Lawes M, Crase B, Thurgate N (2014) North Australian tropical savannas: the three parks savanna fire-effects plot network. In ‘Biodiversity and environmental change: monitoring, challenges and direction’. (Eds D Lindenmayer, E Burns, N Thurgate, A Lowe) pp. 335–378. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne, Vic., Australia)

Russell-Smith J, Yates CP, Edwards AC, Whitehead PJ, Murphy BP, Lawes MJ (2015) Deriving multiple benefits from carbon market-based savanna fire management: an Australian example. PLoS One 10, e0143426
Deriving multiple benefits from carbon market-based savanna fire management: an Australian example.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26630453PubMed |

Russell-Smith J, Evans J, Edwards AC, Simms A (2017) Assessing ecological performance thresholds in fire-prone Kakadu National Park, northern Australia. Ecosphere 8, 1–23.
Assessing ecological performance thresholds in fire-prone Kakadu National Park, northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Scholes RJ, Archer SR (1997) Tree–grass interactions in savannas. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 28, 517–544.
Tree–grass interactions in savannas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Scott K, Setterfield SA, Douglas MM, Parr CL, Schatz J, Andersen AN (2012) Does long-term fire exclusion in an Australian tropical savanna result in a biome shift? A test using the reintroduction of fire: reintroducing fire to an Australian savanna. Austral Ecology 37, 693–711.
Does long-term fire exclusion in an Australian tropical savanna result in a biome shift? A test using the reintroduction of fire: reintroducing fire to an Australian savanna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Shine R (2010) The ecological impact of invasive cane toads (Bufo marinus) in Australia. The Quarterly Review of Biology 85, 253–291.
The ecological impact of invasive cane toads (Bufo marinus) in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20919631PubMed |

Trauernicht C, Brook BW, Murphy BP, Williamson GJ, Bowman DM (2015) Local and global pyrogeographic evidence that indigenous fire management creates pyrodiversity. Ecology and Evolution 5, 1908–1918.
Local and global pyrogeographic evidence that indigenous fire management creates pyrodiversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26140206PubMed |

Trauernicht C, Murphy BP, Prior LD, Lawes MJ, Bowman DMJS (2016) Human-imposed, fine-grained patch burning explains the population stability of a fire-sensitive conifer in a frequently burnt northern Australia savanna. Ecosystems 19, 896–909.
Human-imposed, fine-grained patch burning explains the population stability of a fire-sensitive conifer in a frequently burnt northern Australia savanna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Turner MG (1989) Landscape ecology: the effect of pattern on process. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 20, 171–197.
Landscape ecology: the effect of pattern on process.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

van Wilgen BW, Govender N, Smit IPJ, MacFadyen S (2014) The ongoing development of a pragmatic and adaptive fire management policy in a large African savanna protected area. Journal of Environmental Management 132, 358–368.
The ongoing development of a pragmatic and adaptive fire management policy in a large African savanna protected area.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24365711PubMed |

Watt AS (1947) Pattern and process in the plant community. Journal of Ecology 35, 1–22.
Pattern and process in the plant community.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

   (b) Whitehead P, Purdon P, Cooke P, Russell-Smith J, Sutton S (2009) The West Arnhem Land Fire Abatement (WALFA) project: the institutional environment and its implications. ‘Culture, ecology and economy of fire management in north Australian savannas: rekindling the Wurrk tradition’. (Eds J Russell-Smith, PJ Whitehead, PM Cooke) pp. 287–312. (CSIRO Publications: Melbourne)

Williams RJ, Gill AM, Moore PHR (1998) Seasonal changes in fire behaviour in a tropical savanna in northern Australia. International Journal of Wildland Fire 8, 227–239.
Seasonal changes in fire behaviour in a tropical savanna in northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Williams RJ, Griffiths AD, Allan GE (2002) Fire regimes and biodiversity in the savannas of northern Australia. In ‘Flammable Australia: the fire regimes and biodiversity of a continent’. (Eds RA Bradstock, JE Williams, MA Gill) pp. 281–304. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK)

Williams RJ, Gill AM, Moore PHR (2003) Fire Behaviour. ‘Fire in Tropical Savannas: The Kapalga Experiment’. (Eds A Andersen, G Cook, R Williams) pp. 33–46. (Springer-Verlag: New York)

Woinarski JCZ, Legge S (2013) The impacts of fire on birds in Australia’s tropical savannas. Emu 113, 319–352.
The impacts of fire on birds in Australia’s tropical savannas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Woinarski J, Winderlich S (2014) A strategy for the conservation of threatened species and threatened ecological communities in Kakadu National Park, 2014–2024. Northern Australia Hub, National Environmental Research Program, Charles Darwin University, Darwin.

Woinarski JCZ, Risler J, Kean L (2004) Response of vegetation and vertebrate fauna to 23 years of fire exclusion in a tropical Eucalyptus open forest, Northern Territory, Australia. Austral Ecology 29, 156–176.
Response of vegetation and vertebrate fauna to 23 years of fire exclusion in a tropical Eucalyptus open forest, Northern Territory, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Woinarski JCZ, Williams RJ, Price O, Rankmore B (2005) Landscapes without boundaries: wildlife and their environments in northern Australia. Wildlife Research 32, 377–388.
Landscapes without boundaries: wildlife and their environments in northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Woinarski JCZ, Hempel C, Cowie I, Brennan K, Kerrigan R, Leach G, Russell-Smith J (2006) Distributional pattern of plant species endemic to the Northern Territory, Australia. Australian Journal of Botany 54, 627–640.
Distributional pattern of plant species endemic to the Northern Territory, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Woinarski JCZ, Russell-Smith J, Andersen AN, Brennan K (2009) Fire management and biodiversity of the western Arnhem Land Plateau. In ‘Culture, ecology and economy of fire management in north Australian savannas: rekindling the Wurrk tradition’. (Eds J Russell-Smith, P Whitehead, P Cooke) pp. 201–227. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne, Vic., Australia)

Woinarski JCZ, Burbidge AA, Harrison PL (2015) Ongoing unraveling of a continental fauna: decline and extinction of Australian mammals since European settlement. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 112, 4531–4540.
Ongoing unraveling of a continental fauna: decline and extinction of Australian mammals since European settlement.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Woinarski JCZ, Armstrong M, Brennan K, Fisher A, Griffiths AD, Hill B, Milne DJ, Palmer C, Ward S, Watson M, Winderlich S, Young S (2010) Monitoring indicates rapid and severe decline of native small mammals in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia. Wildlife Research 37, 116–126.
Monitoring indicates rapid and severe decline of native small mammals in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wu J, Loucks OL (1995) From balance of nature to hierarchical patch dynamics: a paradigm shift in ecology. The Quarterly Review of Biology 70, 439–466.
From balance of nature to hierarchical patch dynamics: a paradigm shift in ecology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Yates CP, Edwards AC, Russell-Smith J (2008) Big fires and their ecological impacts in Australian savannas: size and frequency matters. International Journal of Wildland Fire 17, 768–781
Big fires and their ecological impacts in Australian savannas: size and frequency matters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Yibarbuk D, Whitehead PJ, Russell-Smith J, Jackson D, Godjuwa C, Fisher A, Cooke P, Choquenot D, Bowman DMJS (2001) Fire ecology and Aboriginal land management in central Arnhem Land, northern Australia: a tradition of ecosystem management. Journal of Biogeography 28, 325–343.
Fire ecology and Aboriginal land management in central Arnhem Land, northern Australia: a tradition of ecosystem management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ziembicki MR, Woinarski JCZ, Webb JK, Vanderduys E, Tuft K, Smith J, Ritchie EG, Reardon TB, Radford IJ, Preece N, Perry J, Murphy BP, McGregor H, Legge S, Leahy L, Lawes MJ, Kanowski J, Johnson CN, James A, Griffiths AD, Gillespie G, Frank ASK, Fisher A, Burbidge AA (2015) Stemming the tide: progress towards resolving the causes of decline and implementing management responses for the disappearing mammal fauna of northern Australia. Therya 6, 169–226.
Stemming the tide: progress towards resolving the causes of decline and implementing management responses for the disappearing mammal fauna of northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |