Recovering from Bushfire in a Biodiversity Hotspot

Recovering from bushfire in a biodiversity hotspot

On Boxing Day 2019, lightning ignited the third bushfire in the Stirling Range in less than two years. The fires would eventually impact a combined area covering more than two-thirds of the national park’s expansive 115,000 hectares. In the path of the flames was a globally significant wildflower wonderland, including three threatened ecological communities and 30 threatened flora species – most of which are found nowhere else on Earth. In this rich and diverse world, recovery is a complex multi-year process. by Leanne O’Rourkes eaching the base of the Stirling SES, Department of Fire and Emergency many species are bouncing back with Range is an extraordinary experience Service personnel and countless support impenetrable tenacity, like the abundant R for tourists arriving by road who workers. While many Western Australians grass trees (Xanthorrhoea platyphylla) have become accustomed to the flat were recovering from post-holiday blues, whose blackened trunks only sprout lands that surround these rugged peaks locals were assessing the damage to 26 of flowers after a fire. Other species like the for seemingly endless kilometres. Rolling the park’s threatened flora species – more critically endangered late hammer-orchid mountains seem to suddenly appear from than three quarters – including 16 critically (Drakaea confluens) and Drummond’s the landscape, each with a unique character, endangered plants and turning their attention grass (Deyeuxia drummondii), which is such as the intriguing three separate peaks to a very different kind of recovery. listed as vulnerable under the Biodiversity of Mount Trio, the steep point of Mount Conservation Act 2016, are also likely to Toolbrunup or the sheer cliffs of popular FOCUSSING ON FLORA respond positively to fire. Bluff Knoll, which is often shrouded in In a familiar tale about the remarkable However, many of the re-seeding mysterious cloud and reflective of the resilience of the Australian bush, species may not fare as well and will require Aboriginal name for the area – Koi Kyenunu- ruff or ‘mist rolling around the mountains’. Even among the surreal moonscape of the recently forged fire scars, a drive Previous page through the area provides spectacular Main Recovery at Stirling Range National Park, perspectives of the scenery. However, the June 2020. park’s rare features are best appreciated up Photo – Cliff Winfield Right Crews work to manage the fire at close. These unusual geological formations Chester Pass Road in 2019. attract hikers, backpackers and nature Photo – Sally Treasure/DBCA enthusiasts from far and wide, keen to Inset left Fire causes plants such as hakea to walk, climb or scramble up to some of the release their seeds from woody fruits. more challenging summits for 360-degree Photo – Leanne O’Rourkes/DBCA Inset right Critically endangered Stirling views or to enjoy a closer look at the Range dryandra (Banksia montana). incredible flora. Photo – Sarah Barrett/DBCA Discover more about Devastatingly, the park experienced Stirling Range National three major bushfires in 2018 and 2019. Above Fire burns along Chester Pass Road. Park The third fire, which started on Boxing Photo – Sally Treasure/DBCA Scan this QR code or Day 2019, was brought under control Above right Stirling Range dryandra (Banksia montana) burnt in the fire. visit Parks and Wildlife in early 2020 thanks to an outstanding Photo – Sarah Barrett/DBCA Service’s ‘LANDSCOPE’ multi-agency effort by Volunteer Bush Fire Right Clouds roll over Bluff Knoll. playlist on YouTube. Brigades, DBCA staff, volunteer firefighters, Photo – Rob Neave/Sallyanne Cousans Photography

30 LANDSCOPE a focussed effort to ensure their survival. It takes even longer for this species to As a notable example, all remaining wild develop a seedbank that is adequate enough populations of the critically endangered to support regeneration from future fires. Stirling Range dryandra (Banksia montana) Sadly, the cumulative impact of fires has were burnt. In a 2018 bushfire, 29 of 37 taken a huge toll; a short interval between adult individuals were destroyed and the incidents in 1991 and 2000 meant the plants rest, along with some of the seedlings that did not have long enough to reach maturity germinated since 2018, were decimated in and produce seed and thus the species Above left Vegetation near Mount Trio before late 2019. It takes ten years for this species was starting from a poor position when the fire. to grow from seedling to flowering plant, bushfires again raged through the area. Photo – Marie Lochman when bright earth-toned fingers project But there is hope. Some adult from the centre of the long leaves that plants persist outside the park in a small Top Late hammer-orchid. spring from the trunks like fountains. translocation and, along with seed Photo – Andrew Brown/DBCA Above Drummond’s grass. Photo – Ellen Hickman

LANDSCOPE 31 “The fragility and importance of these species and communities was recognised long before the recent fires threatened their very existence.”

collections at the WA Seed Centre conservation team is passionate about of, but also for the threatened fauna and elsewhere, they may hold the key. giving these species a shot at survival. species that frequent them. In addition Propagation and translocation first at to providing habitat for threatened other locations and eventually within CONSIDERING BROADER quokkas (Setonix brachyurus), a host of the Stirling Range could provide a lifeline COMMUNITIES endemic short-range invertebrates are in conjunction with protection from also affected, including the critically A vital management strategy for other threats like disease and grazing. endangered shallow-burrowing distinct species relies on a holistic view that Fencing, spraying with the fungicide Toolbrunup endemic trapdoor spiders considers them as community members phosphite, completing comprehensive and the Banksia montana mealybug part of an intricately connected ecosystem. surveys and monitoring can be painstaking (Pseudococcus markharveyi), which relies Stirling Range dryandra (Banksia montana) work. Although these efforts are largely on its host plant to endure. is a species within the critically endangered hidden from view, the dedicated nature threatened ecological community (TEC), A LONG ROAD AHEAD Montane Thicket of the eastern Stirling The fragility and importance of these Range. Post-fire aerial intelligence and species and communities was recognised ground survey work suggest that the long before the recent fires threatened Above Montane thicket of the eastern Stirling majority of the last unburnt patches of their very existence. Through knowledge Range. this community have been impacted by about fire recovery gathered from long- Photo – Damon Annison the most recent bushfire. Throw in other term quadrats and forward planning to pressures like drought stress from a drying prepare for risks such as fire, it is fortunate Top right Brendan Fox, Gavin Bayliss and climate, and the challenges for conservation Deon Grantham working to rebuild the lower that not all was lost in the recent bushfires. reaches of Mount Trio walk trail. management are momentous. And this is The next few years are critical. Unlike Photo – Shem Bisluk/DBCA not an isolated situation. Almost half of the intense emphasis at the peak of the the priority Montane Mallee Thicket of the bushfires in a race to gain the upper hand Above right The fire closed Chester Pass Road. Stirling Range TEC was burnt in the last and prevent further damage, progress in Photo – Leanne O’Rourkes/DBCA bushfire. the environmental recovery space will be Above far right Threatened quokka. The TECs are not only important for slow but essential for both the environment Photo – Jiri Lochman the individual plants they are comprised and its visitors.

32 LANDSCOPE A month after the last blaze was Above Newly repaired walk trail at Bluff Knoll. extinguished, the deafening roar of the Photo – Cliff Winfield December bushfire still lingered in the Right Grass trees sprout flowers after a fire. memory of the Stirling Range community. Photo – Damon Annison The area had returned to its usual state of quiet contemplation, but it was even quieter than usual. Ordinarily at the busiest time of the year, noisy cars stretch back as far as the eye can see, A GLIMMER OF HOPE full of tourists keen to catch a glimpse As is the case in any bushfire affected of the infrequent snow on Bluff Knoll. community, the fire scars are not confined In contrast, if you listened through the to the landscape. Businesses have silence shortly after the fire trucks had struggled to get back on their feet, but the moved on, you could hear the clicking and regeneration of the bush brings a glimmer tapping of tools on bolts and slats as crews of hope for them. The warm country worked to rebuild trails for the safe return welcome at the Bluff Knoll Café with its of visitors. By no means a small task, musical instruments, coffee, food and support was embraced from far and wide, bar remains and both the Stirling Range including from DBCA staff and Aboriginal Retreat and Mount Trio Bush Camp and rangers from Albany, the Wheatbelt Caravan Park are excellent options for and further afield in the Kimberley. resting after a day of hiking. The prison services lent a hand and a As time passes and the burnt ground recovers, flowering plants will regrow and helicopter was brought in to airlift over Leanne O’Rourkes is an audio 50 tonnes of material. With the pop colour into the landscape, high upon visual production leader in DBCA’s unexpected infrastructure repairs, comes the mountains. One thing is certain: the Public Information and Corporate room for improvement. Easier, more monitoring team will be there in hope Affairs Branch. She can be contacted at [email protected] accessible trails are just some of the and full pursuit of signs that spring has or (08) 9219 9912 bonuses on the horizon. triggered strong germination.

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