Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing Planned Burn Guidelines Southeast Queensland Bioregion of Queensland

DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 1 1/05/13 10:45 AM Prepared by: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) Enhanced Fire Management Team, Queensland Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing (NPRSR).

© The State of Queensland Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing 2012. Copyright enquiries should be addressed to or the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing, 41 George Street, Brisbane Qld 4000.

First published May 2013 Published by the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication Planned Burn Guidelines – Southeast Queensland Bioregion of Queensland First edition. Bibliography ISBN 978-1-7423-0926 1. Planned Burn – Guideline 2. Fire Management 3. Bioregion – Queensland

Disclaimer This document has been prepared with all due diligence and care based on the best available information at the time of publication. The department holds no responsibility for any errors or omissions within this document. Any decisions made by other parties based on this document are solely the responsibility of those parties. Information contained in this document is from a number of sources and as such, does not necessarily represent government or departmental policy. All Queensland Government planned burning should be done in accordance with government policies, procedures and protocols. Acknowledgements The following people made substantial contributions to the intellectual content of these planned burn guidelines based on experience and/or expert knowledge with regard to fire management in the Southeast Queensland bioregion. QPWS staff: David Kington, Mark Burnham, Galen Matthews, John Esdaile, Andy Quirk, Ben Tidey, Graeme Bulley, Wil Buch, Troy Spinks, Peter Leeson, Col Lawton, Matt Davies, Bart Klekar, Jamie Seeleither, Rowena Thomas, Bruce Thompson, Paul Horton, Kelvin Quinn, Dr Cuong Tran (Serco Sodexo Defence Services Pty Ltd) and Craig Welden (Southeast Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium). This guideline has been developed and produced by the QPWS Enhanced Fire Management Team: Jenise Blaik, David Shevill, Wayne Kington, Troy Spinks, Mark Cant, Justine Douglas, and Kerensa McCallie; supported by David Clark, Caroline Grayson, Ellen Thyer and Tim Killen. Following a successful pilot project (QPWS South East Region Planned Burn Guidelines) initiated and developed by QPWS staff: Wayne Kington, David Kington and Mark Burnham. Front cover photograph: Mt Greville: Moogerah Peaks National Park, QPWS (2008).

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DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 2 1/05/13 10:45 AM Foreword Fire has long played an integral and essential role in the maintenance of the vegetation communities of Southeast Queensland. The considered application of fire as a tool to achieve a range of desired outcomes has been practiced for many centuries and has greatly influenced current biodiversity, vegetation type, distribution and extent.

As the most densely populated and rapidly growing region in Queensland, the interaction of urban and peri-urban development with management of fire both planned and unplanned, requires careful consideration to achieve a balance of risk management and conservation.

These guidelines grew from a recognition that the absence of appropriate fire has been and is continuing to cause structural change towards more closed forests, resulting in an increase in fuel/fire hazard, open forest decline and a loss of biodiversity.

The intent of these guidelines is to encourage land managers to critically observe their landscape to understand vegetation condition in light of appropriate fire management.

David Kington Ranger in Charge South East Region Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

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DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 3 1/05/13 10:45 AM Table of contents Foreword...... iii

Purpose of this guideline...... vi

Scope...... vii

Fire and climate in Southeast Queensland...... ix

How to use this guideline...... x

Chapter 1: Open forest and woodland...... 1 Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland...... 2 Issue 2: Reduce overabundant saplings...... 21 Issue 3: Manage invasive grasses...... 30 Issue 4: Reduce Lantana camara...... 39 Issue 5: Manage bell miner associated dieback...... 40 Issue 6: Manage sustainable production...... 44

Chapter 2: Wet open forest...... 45 Issue 1: Maintain wet open forest with a grassy or shrubby understorey...... 46 Issue 2: Maintain wet open forest with a rainforest understorey.....47

Chapter 3: Grasslands...... 48 Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and limit forest encroachment...... 49 Issue 2: Manage woody invasion...... 56

Chapter 4: Heath communities...... 61 Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities...... 62 Issue 2: Maintain healthy montane heath communities...... 77 Issue 3: Avoid peat fires...... 82 Issue 4: Manage exotic pine wildings...... 83

Chapter 5: Melaleuca communities...... 84 Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities...... 85 Issue 2: Avoid peat fires...... 96 Issue 3: Manage exotic pine wildings...... 97

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DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 4 1/05/13 10:45 AM Chapter 6: Coastal fringing forests and headlands...... 98 Issue 1: Maintain health of fringing swamp she-oak forests...... 99 Issue 2: Maintain health of rocky headlands...... 104

Chapter 7: Riparian, foredune, coral cay island and beach ridge communities...... 112 Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into healthy riparian, foredune, coral cay island and beach ridge communities...... 113

Chapter 8: Rainforest, dry vine forest and brigalow...... 117 Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into dry vine forest, brigalow and rainforest margins...... 119

Chapter 9: Mangroves and saltmarsh...... 121 Issue 1: Limit fire encroachment into mangroves and saltmarsh...122

Chapter 10: Common issues...... 123 Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns...... 124 Issue 2: Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire vegetation groups...... 133 Issue 3: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites.....139 Issue 4: Avoid peat fires...... 148 Issue 5: Reduce Lantana camara...... 152 Issue 6: Manage severe storm or flood disturbance...... 157 Issue 7: Manage exotic pine wildings...... 159 Issue 8: Manage sustainable production...... 164

Glossary of fire terminology...... 167

References...... 175

Appendix 1: List of regional ecosystems...... 177

Appendix 2: Mosaic burning...... 184

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DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 5 1/05/13 10:45 AM Bioregional planned Purpose of this guideline burn guideline This guideline was developed as part of the (and other parameters) Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing’s (NPRSR) Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) Fire Management System to support the formation of fire strategies, burn proposals and Park-based fire on-ground planned burn implementation (supported management strategy by the Planned Burn Guidelines: How to Assess if Your Burn is Ready to Go). They assist rangers and other land managers to:

• protect life and property Planned burn • maintain healthy ecosystems program/burn proposal • promote awareness of fire management issues in the field • identify clear fire management objectives to address those issues; and how to assess objectives to assist in adaptive management Planned burn • identify suitable fire behaviour, burn tactics and implementation weather conditions to achieve objectives • provide information and tools to assist in How the planned implementing planned burns. burn guideline fits Please note that this planned burn guideline uses ‘fire into the QPWS Fire vegetation groups’ provided in ParkInfo that assist Management System. their integration into maps and fire strategies. A fire vegetation group is a group of related ecosystems that share common fire management requirements.

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DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 6 1/05/13 10:45 AM Scope • This guideline applies to the Southeast Queensland (SEQ) bioregion (refer to Figure 1) and covers the following fire vegetation groups: open forests and woodlands; wet open forests; grasslands; heath communities; melaleuca communities; coastal fringing forests and headlands; riparian, foredune, coral cay island and beach ridge communities; rainforests, dry vine forests and brigalow communities; mangroves and saltmarsh (refer to Appendix 1 for regional ecosystems contained in each fire vegetation group). • It covers the most common fire management issues arising in South East Queensland. In some cases there will be a need to include issues in fire strategies or burn proposals beyond the scope of this guideline (e.g. highly specific species management issues). • This guideline recognises and respects Traditional Owner traditional ecological knowledge and the importance of collaborative fire management. Consultation and involvement should be sought from local Traditional Owners in the preparation and implementation of planned burns and specific guidelines incorporated into fire strategies where relevant. • Development of the guideline has been by literature review and a knowledge- capturing exercise, using both scientific and practical sources. It will be reviewed as new information becomes available.

Adam Creed, QPWS, Toby’s Gap, Fraser Island.

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DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 7 1/05/13 10:45 AM Figure 1: Map of the Southeast Queensland bioregion of Queensland.

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DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 8 1/05/13 10:45 AM Fire and climate in Southeast Queensland The Southeast Queensland (SEQ) bioregion fire season (when more severe wildfires normally occur) is generally recognised as September to December. In the southern part of SEQ, as indicated by analysis of fire weather data from Brisbane Airport and Amberley, August is also a period of elevated fire risk, and more significant than November which has a lower risk with the commencement of storm rains. September, the peak month for wildfires is characterised by frequent westerly winds, typically low rainfall, low humidity and increasing temperatures.

Fire risk is linked to the occurrence of fire weather days or sequences of days when the fire danger rating is ‘very high’ with a forest fire or grass fire danger index 25+ (refer to Figures 2a and b). Such conditions in SEQ tend to occur when deep low- pressure systems develop over southern Australia, bringing strong dry westerly winds from the continental interior to the coast. South-east trade winds and afternoon sea breezes become a frequent occurrence December through to March bringing higher humidity and increasing the manageability of fires.

Amberley Fire Danger Index (1972-2010) Brisbane Airport Fire Danger Index (1972-2010) FFDI 25+ (VH+) GFDI 25+ (VH+) FFDI 25+ (VH+) GFDI 25+ (VH+) 3.5 2.0

1.8 3.0 1.6

2.5 1.4

1.2 2.0 1.0 1.5 0.8

1.0 0.6 Average days per month

Average days per month 0.4 0.5 0.2

0.0 0.0 JanFeb MarApr May June July Aug SeptOct NovDec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July AugSeptOct NovDec Month Month

Figure 2a: Fire weather risk in southern SEQ Figure 2b: Fire weather risk in southern bioregion (inland) SEQ bioregion (coastal) Data (Lucas 2010).

While broad fire season patterns are a good guide, it is important to consider local seasonal conditions, current rainfall and geography of each management area.

Further information can be found in the QPWS Planned Burn Guidelines: How to Assess if Your Burn is Ready to Go and on the Bureau of Meteorology website at www.bom.gov.au.

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x Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: How to use this guideline 1. this simple exercise: you go about your work. To assist you inobserving theenvironment, undertake this guidelinesoit becomes partof your observation of theenvironment as that you manage (andthesurrounding landscape). Familiarise yourself with Step 2:Observethecountry. It is essential to regularly observethecountry 1999 andotherlegislative requirements). Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act issues are considered (e.g. zoning plan, threatened species, fire histories, strategy before completing your planned burn proposal to ensure all ecological the majority of issues in your area, it is essential you also review your fire and supports your local fire strategy. While theguidelineshould address Step 1:Know your local fire strategy. This planned burn guidelineworks with How to use this guideline 3. 2.

observe where relevant: and grasses but not yet inthecanopy) observethefollowing: following: a) d) c) b) a) b) a) c) b) For fire vegetation groups with a For fire vegetation groups with a If a

understorey? by oneorafew juvenile tree species? Are weeds dominating the shrubs? shrubs, ferns orsedges? and vigorous? Are there well-formed grass clumps? bark? rainforest species)? How openordense is themid-layer? Are there any dead trees? Is tree branch foliage dying? Is there epicormic regrowth onbranches? Does theground-layer have adiversity of species oris it dominated Are shrubs looking healthy and vigorous? Are there dying crowns onthe Is there abuild-up of dead anddecaying matter associated with grasses, The presence of grasses andgrass clumps. Dothe grasses look healthy Is there evidence of fire? What is theprevalence andheight of blackened What are themid-layer trees (young canopy trees, wattles, casuarinas or Are there rainforest, scrub orriparian ecosystems nearby? Are there habitat trees (e.g. trees with hollows)? canopy is present (e.g. for openforests andwoodlands) observethe ground-layer of grasses, sedges orshrubs, mid-layer (trees above theheight of shrubs 1/05/13 10:45 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 11 estate. Instructions can beobtained from the QPWS Fire Management System. as partof astructured photo-monitoring process at various locations within the shortfalls in your fire strategy, consider reviewing it. Step 9 can beimplemented or difficult to understand please seek advice. further If this process identifies to keep observing theland. If theresults of fire management are unexpected (such as weed control) are not resolved with asingle burn andit is important years aftertheoriginal burn—once again applying this guideline.Many issues area starting from Step 1).Return to theburn area afterone year andthenafew Step 9:Review your fire management issue (re-apply this guideline to the burn your fire report. objectives. This guidelineprovides information onhow to reporttheresults in in your burn proposal). This will indicate if you have achieved your planned burn undertake thepost-fire assessment recommended by this guideline(as defined Step 8:Review themeasurable objectives in your burn proposal. Afterafire, proposal objectives. this guidelinewill enable you to predict fire behaviour andachieve your burn How to Assess if Your Burn is Ready to Go. Becoming familiar with thetools in Step 7:Is your burn ready to go? Refer to theQPWS Planned Burn Guidelines: have to adjust thewording. guideline andpaste them(ctrl+v)into theburn proposal. Note that you may into your burn proposals. Copy (ctrl+c)statements from aPDF version of this tactics andweather conditions sections of each chapter can becopied directly Step 6: Write aburn proposal. The management ranger orequivalent. If you findit difficult toidentify your objectives, contact your natural resource Do you needto develop objectives not already included inthese guidelines? the land. Do you needto adjust theobjectives sothey apply to your situation? objectives in your fire strategy). Choose oneormore objectives whilst observing measurable objectives to include in your burn proposals (beguidedalso by the Step 5:Choose measurable objectives. Each chapter of this guidelineprovides intended to guidebothland managers andapproval bodies. based onastandard QPWS planned burn proposal prioritisation framework for determining fire management priorities. The statements about priorities are Step 4:Consider your fire management priorities. Each chapter offers guidance proposal. more than oneissue—do not necessarily limit yourself to oneissue perburn apply to thearea you are observing. It is common for burn proposals to address Step 3:Read therelevant chapters of this guidelineanddecide which issues measurable objectives, fire behaviour, 1/05/13 10:45 AM xi Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: How to use this guideline DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 1

1 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland the bioregion may also lead to bell minerassociated dieback of eucalypts. lantana infestations can threaten anopenstructure andinthesouthernhalf of areas remaining in SEQ. If left unmanaged, overabundant saplings as well as significant for the maintenance of grassy tall open forests as there are very few ground layer through competition andshading. This issue is particularly forest which reduces thehealth anddiversity of shrubs andgrasses inthe of saplings (e.g. wattles andrainforest pioneers) inthemid-stratum of open The main fire management issue inthis vegetation group is the overabundance Fire management issues (e.g. gums,ironbarks andboxes), angophoras andbloodwoods. typically dominated by one,oramix of canopy species including eucalypts plains andinland hills andmountain ranges throughout thebioregion. They are and mixed grassy/shrubby understorey, found oncoastal lowlands, alluvial health. This fire vegetation group includes communities with agrassy, shrubby Queensland (SEQ) bioregion andfire management is critical to maintain their Open forests andwoodlands dominate thelandscape inthe Southeast Chapter 1:Openforest andwoodland 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Issues: National Park, 5587ha; Imbil State Forest, 5459ha. 6 415ha; Dawes National Park, 6150ha; Warro National Park, 5986ha; Bellthorpe 1, 6503ha; Bunya Mountains National Park, 6480ha; Moreton Island National Park, Forest 1,6901ha; Lockyer National Park (Recovery), 6883ha; Glenbar State Forest Walsh National Park, 7612ha; Littabella National Park, 7445ha; Monduran State 9 653ha; Bauple State Forest, 8146ha; Castle Tower National Park, 8011ha; Mount Forest, 11438ha; Mount Barney National Park, 11046 ha; Wongi National Park, Curtis Island State Forest, 12881ha; Grongah National Park, 11563ha; Wondai State Park, 14736ha; Cordalba State Forest, 13460ha; Yabba State Forest, 12947ha; State Forest 1,16986ha; Eurimbula National Park, 15677ha; Wrattens National Conondale National Park, 21695ha; Main Range National Park, 18100ha; St Mary 27 638ha; D’Aguilar National Park, 26953ha; Bulburin National Park, 22581ha; Forest, 51794 ha; Kroombit Tops National Park, 33911ha; Bania National Park, Largest locations of this Great FVG: Sandy National Park, 89790ha; Wongi State Refer to Appendix 1. Extent within bioregion: 2061539hectares (ha), 33percent;Regional ecosystems:

Manage sustainable production. Manage bell minerassociated dieback Reduce Lantana camara Manage invasive grasses Reduce overabundant saplings Maintain healthy openforest andwoodland 1/05/13 10:45 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 2 • • • Key indicators of a healthy open forest or woodland (refer to the photos below): Awareness of theenvironment Mosaic burning is critical to maintaining healthy openforests andwoodlands. Issue 1:Maintain healthy openforest andwoodland • • • •

Generally few weeds present. Grassy openforest is easy to walk through orseethrough. In grassy leaved) species (e.g. grass trees, banksia, pea-flowers) with healthy foliage. In shrubby openforest, shrublayer is dominated by sclerophyllous (hard- Fallen logs andhollow bearing trees may bepresent. plants. oaks), but are nothaving any noticeable shading effects onground stratum Lower andmidstratum trees are scattered (e.g. eucalypts, wattles andshe- (to eventually replace thecanopy) andahealthy canopy. (or various mixtures); with afew canopy species of variable sizes Healthy openforest has agrass; sedge; orshrub-dominated understorey ormixed openforest, grass clumps and/orsedges are well formed. QPWS. up to onemetre. shrubs and seedlings sedges, herbs, small layer of grasses, Lower stratum: ground one metre. and otherplants over saplings, tall shrubs trees, canopy species scattered shorter always obvious) Mid stratum: (not structure layer with anopen Canopy: tallest tree open forest/woodlands Layers used to describe 1/05/13 10:45 AM

2 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 3 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 3 Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland Open forest with ahealthy grass ground layer. The tree recruitment is significant but not Mark Daly, QPWS, Glenrock. replace thecanopy inthelong term. woodland, thegrassy understorey is healthy andthere are sufficient young trees to Although there is limited tree recruitment or variation inage of eucalypts inthis open Mark Burnham, QPWS, Tamborine National Park. so abundant that it impacts onunderstorey health. 1/05/13 10:45 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 4 Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Glass House Mountains National Park (2010). no shading effects ontheground stratum. The healthy dense grass cover indicates thesparse mid-stratum of she-oaks are having Sylvia Millington, QPWS, LamingtonNational Park (2005). Open forest with amix of canopy tree ages andhealthy grass clumps. 1/05/13 10:45 AM

4 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 5 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 5 Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland Sydney blue gum tall openeucalypt forest with ahealthy ground stratum of native David Kington,QPWS, Nerang National Park. intervals tend to favour shrubs. good soil moisture at more frequent intervals will encourage grasses while longer geology however fire regimes can alter the balance. In general, planned burning with The diversity of shrubs andgrasses intheunderstorey will largely bedetermined by Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Conondale National Park (2007). tussock grass, kangaroo andblady grass. 1/05/13 10:45 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 6 Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Glasshouse Mountains National Park (2006). Healthy shrubby openwoodland. Peter Leeson, QPWS, Teewah (2009). Open coastal woodland with ahealthy mixed grassy /shrubby understorey. 1/05/13 10:45 AM

6 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 7 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 7 Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland Blackbutt openforest with mixed grass/ fern/ shrubunderstorey. Mark Burnham, QPWS, D’Aguilar National Park (2007). decline inhealth with someshrubcrowns beginning to dieoff. This shrubby understorey has agood diversity of species but is showing early signs of Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Glasshouse Mountains National Park (2011). 1/05/13 10:45 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 8 • • • • • broad area): Indicators of declining health inopenforest orwoodland (observedacross a Wayne Kington,QPWS, LamingtonNational Park (2009). accumulation of dead material. Grass health is declining dueto absence of fire. Note poorgrass clump formation and • •

naturally have anunderstorey dominated by oneor afew species). or aflush of trees or weeds all at the same age (be aware that somesystems There is anabundance of blady grass, bracken, dodder, oneshrubspecies Grass trees where present have dense brown skirts. high orabove (using theOverall fuel hazard assessment guide). litter, suspended leaf litter, bark andtwigs. Accumulation of elevated fuels is There is asignificant build upof fine fuels such as dead grass material, leaf recorded over time. (shrub species that regenerate only from seed)has beenobservedand/or In shrubby openforest, aloss orreduction of resprouters orobligate-seeders shrubs) has declined from previous records orobservations. The diversity of mid/ground stratum species (grasses, herbs, sedges and no recruitment of newshrubs (lack of juvenile shrubs). Many shrubs have sparse crowns and/orbeginning to die. There is limited or An accumulation of thatch (dead material) is present. Grasses overall appear sparse orclumps are poorly formed andcollapsing. 1/05/13 10:45 AM

8 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 9 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 9 Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland A mixed grassy /shrubby understorey indecline dueto absence of fire. Note drooping Mark Burnham, QPWS, D’Aguilar National Park. dead skirts ongrass trees andsparse grass clumps. Lamington National Park. David Kington,QPWS, Wayne Kington/ long. has beenabsent too indicates where fire The bottom row absence of fire. grass decline inthe illustrating clumping A sequence 1/05/13 10:45 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 10 David Kington,QPWS, D’Aguilar National Park. crowns beginning to die. A shrubby understorey indecline dueto absence of fire. Note dead shrubs andshrub D’Aguilar National Park. Burnham, QPWS, David Kington/Mark too long. has beenabsent indicates where fire The bottom row decline. illustrating shrub A sequence 1/05/13 10:45 AM

10 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 11 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 11 Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland High severity wildfires or planned burns conducted without good soil moisture can favour Mark Burnham, QPWS, LamingtonNational Park. Mark Daly, QPWS, Moogerah Peaks National Park (2008). species (e.g. blady grass) (below). regrowth anddominance of asingle shrub(e.g. bush pea Pultenaea sp.) (above) orgrass 1/05/13 10:45 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 12 • • • • Discussion • • • • • •

regeneration—seek advice if unsure. feather sedge), which appears grass-like but does not require fire for Some openforests have asedge dominated understorey (e.g. vigorous. has naturally poorsoil, andtherefore grasses may always appear less this could compound health problems. Also consider whetherthearea Implementing fire during drought conditions is not recommended as Be aware that signs of poorhealth can also bearesult of drought. level afterfire. and sedges, however unlike eucalypts they will resprout from ground exist intheshrublayer of open forest with sclerophyll shrubs, grasses Rainforest species such as blueberry ash andlaurels can naturally co- necessarily lead to atransition to rainforest. conditions favouring rainforest further recruitment, thoughthis does not trees can shade out otherground layer plants, inhibit fire and create issue. With anabsence of fire insomeopen forests, pioneer rainforest scale overabundance of small trees intheunderstorey can beahealth It is important to distinguish shrubs from small juvenile trees as abroad- through theunique habitats they conserve. important to retain, as they increase overall diversity at alandscape level Some ecosystems are naturally less diverse but are nonetheless during conditions, dry arecent highseverity fire or too frequent fire. Dominance of asingle species intheground stratum can result from fire mature system to re-establish over time. healthy, implementing this guidelineshould assist amore varied and aged population. As long as thestructure of theunderstorey appears understocked, overstocked with regeneration orcontain amore even- systems dueto previous land use. Inthese systems, thecanopy may be Within SEQ, many protected areas contain heavily disturbed orimmature fire promotes maximum diversity of plants andanimal habitats. Retaining anecosystem inamosaic of different stages of response after longer viable. burning before thickening progresses to apoint where planned fire is no thickening inopenforest. These areas should beconsidered apriority for It is important to recognise early signs of broad-scale mid-stratum shrubs is also greatly influenced by fire frequency and how fire is applied. grass dominated through to shrubdominated. The mixture of grasses and rainfall, altitude, slope, aspect andgeology) exhibiting acontinuum from Open forest andwoodland understorey is variable, (depending on

1/05/13 10:45 AM

12 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 13 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 13 Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland Select from below as appropriate for thesite: after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes What is thepriority for this issue? woodland. forest or within open patches of burnt appropriate) as (adjust mosaic 40–80 % Very high Measurable Measurable objectives Priority High health isgood. Planned burn to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem significance. Planned burn required to maintain areas of special conservation c) b) a) Choose oneof these options: In three locations (that take account Visual estimation of percentage of Map theboundaries of burnt areas vantage points,orfrom theair. vegetation burnt—from oneormore visual field. percentage of ground burnt within planned burn area estimating the walk 300ormore metres through ecosystems within burn area), of the variability of landform and of area burnt. thereby determine thepercentage with GPS, plot onParkInfo and How to beassessed Priority assessment relevant objectives. assess results of other > 80%burnt: needto Or planned burn. consider follow-up Not achieved: <40% 40–80 %burnt. Achieved: How to bereported

(in fire report) 1/05/13 10:45 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 14 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable refer to thecompendium of planned post-fire. resprout shrubs ‘resprouter’ > 75%of emerging. living shoots burnt with tree skirts grass of Approx. 80% stubble. remain as bases grass clumping > 90%of resprouting. percentage of ‘resprouter’ shrubs and fire intensity) and estimate the into account the variability of landform fire, select three ormore sites (taking Approximately three months afterthe removed afterthefire. estimate thepercentage of grass skirts or walk oneormore transects and After thefire, select oneormore sites fire. clumping grass bases remaining after intensity) andestimate percentage of variability of landform andlikely fire more transects (taking into account the Select oneormore sites orwalk oneor < 75%resprout. Not achieved: > 75%resprout. Achieved: Not achieved: <40%. 40–80 %. Partially achieved: Achieved: 80%. < 75%bases remain. Not achieved: remain. 75–90 %bases Partially achieved: > 90%bases remain. Achieved: 1/05/13 10:45 AM

14 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 15 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 15 Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland Fire ManagementFire System. observation points can beobtained from themonitoring sectionof theQPWS by photographs andby recording observations. Instructions for establishing observation points beestablished. Observation points are usually supported to keep observing theland. To support this, it is recommended that Many issues are not resolved with asingle planned burn andit is important Monitoring theissue over time (2008). Glen Rock State Forest Peter Cavendish, QPWS, and diversity of habitat. of response from fire variation inthestages vegetation providing in patches of unburnt Mosaic burning results Jenise Blaik, QPWS (2011). moisture. retained with good soil humus layer is also regeneration. The burn to enable rapid during aplanned clumping grasses the stubble base of It is desirable to retain 1/05/13 10:45 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 16 • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters State-wide fire severity descriptions adjusted for SEQ conditions. Note: Table assumes good soil moisture andoptimal planned burn conditions. Moderate

severity Low class High Low Fire (M) (H) (L) (small areas of highmay of moderateareas occur) to (small

150–500 intensity (kWm < 150 500– 1000 (during thefire) Fire Fire intensity -1 )

Average 0.5–1.5 1.5–3.0 height flame < 0.5 (m)

7.5–15.0 Average 2.5–7.5 height scorch scorch < 2.5 (m) Fire severity (post-fire) or nocanopy scorch. scorching of midstratum. Little grass stubble retained. Some trees, fallen logs andclumping layer retained. Nearly all canopy retained but charred. Humus Some patchiness. Litter may be amount of canopy scorch. Scorching of midstratum. Small Most of canopy trees retained. stubble andfallen logs remain. of humus layer, clumping grass scorched litter remains. Some patchiness.Limited Some nearly so). stratum burnt completely (or metre (m)height canopy, mid canopy scorch inmoderate <20 humus remains. At least some Little ornopatchiness. Limited (loss of biomass) Description

1/05/13 10:45 AM

16 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 17 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 17 Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) Landscape mosaic species can bedisadvantaged. Similarly, whenintervals between fires are too long, resprouters orannual only from seedandcan take several years to reach maximum seedproduction). communities can eliminate obligate seeder shrubs (species which regenerate areas at longer intervals will also add to diversity. Too frequent fire inshrubby Across the landscape, burning someareas atintervals shorter andsome • • • • Mosaic (area burnt within anindividual planned burn) •

saic planned burns across thelandscape to themaximum timeframe). Consider abroad to create varying stages of Apply andadjusted for wildfire riskhistory anddrought cycles. assessment of vegetation health, fuel accumulation andprevious fire Fire frequency should primarily be determined through on-ground supports adiversity of habitats andspecies. communities burnt each year, to helpcreate a varied age class structure that Aim to create alandscape mosaic of between 25–50percent of these mosaic at alandscape level by targeting different areas at different times. within anindividual planned burn. It is therefore important to create the Within someshrubby openforests, it may bedifficult to achieve amosaic communities (refer to Appendix 2,Mosaic burning). A mosaic is achieved with generally 40–80percent burnt within thetarget frames, regardless of theinternal patchiness of fire (e.g. 30per cent burnt). or shrubby understorey.applying fire to anarea that has burnt only once within the suggested time It is acommon mistake to interpret thefire frequency as a formula for years between

f mo

three to

six years for grassy understorey

po st-fire response

(i.

fire interval range of e.

and r Mt Barney National Park (2009). Peter Cavendish, QPWS, burn onthis occasion. larger areas that didnot time, spot- lighting some be considered intwo years another planned burn could patches. With good rainfall, in significant unburnt grassy openforest resulted This planned burn in

ecently burnt at arange of

sev en to

tw

fr thr enty-five equencies ough 1/05/13 10:45 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 18 Other considerations: promote arapid post-fire response. fire on clumping grass bases, resprouters, hollow trees and fallen logs; and to Soil moisture: Goodsoil moisture conditions are important to reduce impacts of Wind speed: <15km/hr times) good soil moisture is thecritical factor DI (KBDI) Sand substrates: <100(generally lower as aresult of quicker drying DI (KBDI):<120(good soil moisture is thecritical factor) FFDI: <11(7is optimal to promote agrassy ground stratum) Season: to January August (consider varying theseason of burn) burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider? • not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of suggested tactics. adjusted as required to achieve theburn objectives. What is offered below is objectives ontheday. Also, during theburn tactics should bereviewed and will helpdetermine which tactics andignitionpattern will achieve theburn at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Aninitial test burn Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? • • • •

spot orstrip lighting oracombination of both. on available fuels andtheprevailing wind on theday, this may require either line, asafe perimeter andpromote alow intensity backing fire. Depending Commence lighting ontheleeward (smoky) edge to establish theinitial fire- post-fire recovery and rates of fuel accumulation. Be aware that some years will bewetter ordrierthan normal, influencing during this period,increasing therisk of re-ignition. Use caution if burning inAugust as strong westerly dry winds are common up to this periodas drought conditions might lead to poorresults. conditions for plants andanimals. Be aware of weather conditions leading Late summer andautumn will generally provide better regenerative For sand sites, dryingtimes may vary significantly. 1/05/13 10:45 AM

18 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 19 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 19 Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland A low intensity backing fire lit against the wind. • • • • Peter Cavendish, QPWS, Moogerah Peaks National Park (May 2007).

too moist to burn). Also, because it does not require fire as frequently. in theseason with good soil moisture whenadjoining shrubby open forest is differing fire requirements (e.g. lighting grassy open forest ridgelines early Timing andmoisture can beused tactically to burn adjoining vegetation with moister areas. along ridgelines will allow fire to trickle down slopes and extinguish in inaccessible burn areas andto maximise efficiency of resources. Lighting Aerial ignition:Use of aerial incendiaries is essential to cover large or (but beaware of conditions onthedays following). targeted weather conditions even whenday timeconditions are not ideal mosaic than morning ignition. This is also auseful way to achieve the Afternoon ignition:Allowing thefire to burn into thenight creates agreater flame characteristics. exercise to establish acomplex mosaic with highly variable season and moisture, establish apatchy mosaic. Over thecoming months repeat this example is, intheearly partof the year afterrain, with good humidity and fuels of varying flammability within different weather conditions. Another burning. Anexample is lighting over aperiodof timeinorder to safely burn Progressive lighting is atechnique that can achieve good results for mosaic 1/05/13 10:45 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 20 David Kington,QPWS, Mt Barney National Park. communities that require fire less frequently. used to encourage grass regeneration while limiting fire encroachment into adjoining Ignition of grassy ridgelines incooler weather but with good soil moisture can be Betty Waugh, QPWS, Kroombit Tops National Park (2009). Aerial ignitionis essential for planned burning of inaccessible areas of openforest. 1/05/13 10:45 AM

20 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 1: Maintain healthy open forest and woodland DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 21 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 21 Issue 2: Reduce overabundant saplings • • Key indicators of overabundant saplings: Awareness of theenvironment important indetermining if overabundance is anissue. Knowing thefire history of anarea andtheindividual species response to fire is provide variety inage andfor eventual replacement of mature canopy species. only a very small numberof canopy andmid-stratum recruits are neededto stratum through competition andshading. To maintain anopenstructure, the understorey of openforest orwoodland can reduce thehealth of theground variations of fire severity; however abroad-scale Isolated thickets of saplings can result from localised hot spots ornormal Issue 2:Reduce overabundant saplings • • •

understorey. Presence of amonoculture of single species (e.g. brush box) inthe broad-scale overabundance of these species inthemid-stratum. rainforest pioneers orothersaplings emerging intheground stratum; ora A broadscale mass germination of young wattles, she-oaks, eucalypts, diversity andabundance. Shrubs where present, have dead ordying branches andare declining in ground layer plants are reduced inhealth andabundance. Grasses are continuous ornear continuous but starting to collapse. Other Understorey ormid-stratum is difficult to seethrough or walk through. overabundance of saplings in National Park (2008). Paul QPWS, Horton, Littabella reintroduce planned burns. grasses making it difficult to out theground stratum will eventually shade mass germination of wattles Without this intervention, 1/05/13 10:45 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 22 Dave Kington,QPWS, LamingtonNational Park (2007). the ground layer. Fire is required to restore thehealth of grasses. Rainforest pioneers inthemidstratum are scattered but grasses have become sparser in Mark Burnham, QPWS, Springbrook National Park (2007). condition of grasses at this site. An over-abundance of she-oaks intheunderstorey has already led to a decline inthe 1/05/13 10:46 AM

22 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 2: Reduce overabundant saplings DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 23 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 23 Issue 2: Reduce overabundant saplings Potential impacts of overabundant saplings • • • • • Why are saplings overabundant? Discussion • • • Jenise Blaik, QPWS, D’Aguilar National Park (2012). considered anissue as it resulted from alocalised hotspot andis not widespread. A small thicket of casuarina saplings has germinated afteraplanned burn. This is not

severe storm). Removal of many overstorey trees dueto apast natural disaster (drought or Prolonged absence of fire leading to agradual increase in woody species. A fire regime which has not been varied and has favoured one species. germination of tree saplings (refer to thephoto below). A highseverity fire event with no subsequent fire tothinthe resulting mass response to: An overabundance of saplings intheunderstorey may betriggered in rather than grasses andherbs. community does burn. This may promote theregeneration of woody species The fire intensity will oftenbehigherand reach into the canopy whenthe area if left too long. Once thickets have developed it may bedifficult to re-introduce fire into that to shading andless fine fuel to carry future fires. A thickening of trees will result inalower diversity intheground stratum due 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 24 • • • • Other considerations Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Mapleton National Park (2012). possible ordesirable to introduce fire under planned burn conditions. Tall openblackbutt forest with awell developed rainforest understorey. It is nolonger •

too long. absence of fire. It may bedifficult to re-introduce fire into that area ifleft colonise theground layer andcan grow into themidstratum quickly inthe In partsof thesoutheast, there is agroup of rainforest pioneers that tend to profile, sothat other species can compete. sprout from bases andwhile fire will not kill them,it will keep themlow in Be aware that someoverabundant rainforest andeucalypt species will re- will maintain these areas—seek advice if unsure. management appropriate to thefire vegetation group inwhich they occur An abundance of someshrubs andtrees can bepartof anatural cycle. Fire requires follow-up fire. monitoring will helpdetermine whetherthis is abroad-scale issue which wildfire (which tends to beahigherseverity fire). Post-fire observations and absence of fire, which is likely to lead to a mass germination event after Certain wattles andothertree species build uplarge seedbanks inthe issue. broad-scale normal variations of fire severity andshould not be confused with the Small isolated flushes of saplings can result from localised hot spots or 1/05/13 10:46 AM

24 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 2: Reduce overabundant saplings DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 25 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 25 Issue 2: Reduce overabundant saplings • • after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes What is thepriority for this issue?

Medium Priority burning. will bemore difficult to recover andbecomes alower priority for planned Where grasses are scattered, poorly formed andcollapsing, forest health to shading andpotentially less ground fuels to carry future fires. A thickening of trees may result inalower diversity intheunderstorey due High Low sparse andfire is nolonger viable. has beensignificantly disrupted. Ground stratum is absent or Planned burn inareas where ecosystem structure andfunction (recoverable with two ormore burns). Planned burn inareas where ecosystem health ispoor health isgood (recoverable with oneburn). Planned burns to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem Priority assessment conditions. fire under planned burn or desirable to introduce It is nolonger possible rainforest understorey. with awell developed Tall openblackbutt forest Mapleton National Park (2012). Rowena Thomas,QPWS, 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 26 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable refer to thecompendium of planned Select from below as appropriate for thesite: Fire ManagementFire System. observation points can beobtained from themonitoring sectionof theQPWS by photographs andby recording observations. Instructions for establishing observation points beestablished. Observation points are usually supported to keep observing theland. To support this, it is recommended that Many issues are not resolved with asingle planned burn andit is important Monitoring theissue over time scorched. saplings are overabundant > 75%of stubble. remain as bases grass the clumping > 90%of Measurable Measurable objectives bases remaining afterfire. intensity) andestimate clumping grass variability of landform andlikely fire more transects (taking into account the Select oneormore sites orwalk oneor scorched. saplings (above ground components) the percentage of overabundant and likely fire intensity), estimate account the variability of landform one ormore transects (taking into Select oneormore sites orwalk How to beassessed < 75%bases remain. Not achieved: remain. 75–90 %bases Partially achieved: > 90%bases remain. Achieved: < 25%. Not achieved: 25–75 %. Partially achieved: > 75%. Achieved: How to bereported (in fire report) 1/05/13 10:46 AM

26 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 2: Reduce overabundant saplings DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 27 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 27 Issue 2: Reduce overabundant saplings • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters Note: This table assumes good soil moisture andoptimal planned burn conditions. Moderate

severity Low class High Low Fire (M) (H) (L) (small areas of highmay of moderateareas occur) to (small

150–500 intensity (kWm < 150 500– 1000 (during thefire) Fire Fire intensity -1 )

Average 0.5–1.5 1.5–3.0 height flame < 0.5 (m)

7.5–15.0 Average 2.5–7.5 height scorch scorch < 2.5 (m) Fire severity (post-fire) or nocanopy scorch. scorching of midstratum. Little grass stubble retained. Some all canopy trees andclumping Humus layer retained. Nearly be retained but charred. Some patchiness. Litter may amount of canopy scorch. Scorching of midstratum. Small Most of canopy trees retained. stubble andfallen logs remain. of humus layer, clumping grass scorched litter remains. Some patchiness.Limited Some (or nearly so). stratum burnt completely <20m height canopy, mid canopy scorch inmoderate humus remains. At least some Little ornopatchiness. Limited (loss of biomass) Description 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 28 Other considerations: • • • Scorch height: Wind speed: <15km/hr FFDI: <11 higher scorch andbetter conditions for grass recovery. regeneration of grasses. Ingeneral late summer burning is preferable to provide Season: Depends onaccumulation of fuel andsufficient moisture to favour burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider? • •

forest andwoodland should beresumed. Once thearea has recovered, therecommended regime for healthy open the targeted saplings. more harm than good, by reducing available ground fuel but not scorching For mediumpriority planned burns, beaware that alow severity fire may do recommended for this community. saplings occurs. This may requirefire frequency ashorter than normally Try to carry out planned burns before significant seeding of overabundant planned burn as fuel allows for low this issue. If theinitial fire triggers aflush of newseedlings, follow-up It is possible that more than oneplanned burn will berequired to manage advice for otherspecies. scorched whereas brush box saplings should bescorched to the tip),seek depending ontarget species (e.g. green wattles require only lower branches Scorch height required to reduce overabundant saplings will be variable to moderate to severity fire. 1/05/13 10:46 AM

28 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 2: Reduce overabundant saplings DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 29 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 29 Issue 2: Reduce overabundant saplings • • • suggested tactics. Refer to Issue 1for tactics. burn objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of burn tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve the at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during the Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? QPWS (2009). need to bemonitored to ensure thefire has not triggered anotherflush of seedlings. Overabundant eucalypts in the understorey have beenscorched however the site will

and any newseedlings. instance afollow-up planned burn will berequired to thinsurviving saplings surface fuels dueto shading-out orthethicket is well developed. Inthis uphill), may berequired initially where there is alack of surface andnear A running fire of ahigherseverity (e.g. afire lit along themid-ridge running reducing overabundant seedlings/saplings. and rate of spread are kept to aminimum.Greater residence timeis useful in the fire has agreater amount of residence time,while ensuring fire severity against thewind onthesmoky edge orfire running down-slope, will ensure A backing fire with good residence time.Aslow moving backing fire lit target species andtheirheight. the scorch height required to achieve burn objectives is dependent onthe While alow to moderate-severity fire is recommended to address this issue, 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 30 • • Key indicators of invasive grass issue: Awareness of theenvironment guinea, thatch, signal, molasses, giant rat’s tail andwhiskey grass. fire severity and spread. Someinvasive grasses of concern in SEQ bioregion are fuel loads, fire intensity, spotting andflameheight which leads toincreased taller andproduce significantly more dry matter than native species; increasing planned burn operations andthemaintenance of firelines. They are generally It is important to beaware of thepresence of invasive exotic grasses during Issue 3:Manage invasive grasses Dan Beard, QPWS, Gladstone (2009). adjoining communities. A monoculture of thatch grass has replaced native pasture andbegun to encroach into •

There may bedead trees (within infestation) with charring highupthetrunk. cleared areas. Invasive grasses may belocated along firelines, access roads andhistorically Tall, dense stands of grasses (oftensingle-species dominated) are present. 1/05/13 10:46 AM

30 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 3: Manage invasive grasses DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 31 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 31 Issue 3: Manage invasive grasses Some species-specific information is offered inthe following pages: • • • • Discussion

pathogen spread prevention guideline). burning inareas with invasive grasses (refer to theQPWS Pest plant and Be aware of weed hygiene issues whenmaintaining firelines or planned preparation for herbicide control. reduce dead biomass andpromote mass germination of theseedbank in Fire may beuseful as part of anintegrated weed control program to each species. important to know thebiology andcurrent treatment recommendations for a periodmay favour native grasses andassist incontrol, therefore it is Some invasive grasses have seed short viability, andwithholding fire for during conditions. hot,dry risk of themburning with wildfire andproducing aneven higher-severity fire conditions may bepreferable insomesituations, whenthere is aheightened grasses. However, planned burning of invasive grasses ingood soil moisture the likelihood of increased fire severity promotion of and further these In many cases it is desirable to avoid burning invasive grasses, dueto 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 32 • • • Guinea grass Megathyrsus maximus Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd (2005). Close upof Guinea grass.

management of this grass. Maintaining canopy cover (andtherefore shade) will assist inthe higher intensity dueto theincreased biomass whenit is sufficiently cured. Guinea grass remains greener longer than native grasses andwill burn with a areas. risk of highseverity fire andpotential damage to riparian andothersensitive be critical factors. Avoid burning late intheseason as this will increase the area must beburnt, thetiming andfollow-up treatment with herbicide will Fire is generally not effective incontrolling Guinea grass but if theinfested

1/05/13 10:46 AM

32 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 3: Manage invasive grasses DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 33 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 33 Issue 3: Manage invasive grasses • • • Melinis grass minutifloraMolasses Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd (2004). roadsides anddisturbed areas of openforest in SEQ. Molasses grass infestation in flower. This invasive grass is particularly common along

populations of native perennials through seedling death (Williams 2002). the use of this methodover along time-frame as it may bedamaging to useful methodfor reducing molasses grass. Some caution is required with Assessment of similar trials in SEQ will determine if fire short intervals are a kangaroo grass (Williams andBulley 2003). has led to recovery of native clumping grasses such as giant spear grass and seed production, has beentrialed with success Queensland innorth and fireShort intervals i.e. planned burning before seedlings have matured to and Bulley 2003). showed that seedproduction didnot occur until thesecond year (Williams seed banks. Observation of seedlings post-burn Queensland inNorth Molasses grass is killed by fire but regenerates rapidly post-fire from large

1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 34 • • Urochloa grass decumbensSignal John McQueeney, QPWS (2012). grasses inopenforest. monoculture outcompeting native Signal grass forms adense

different fire regimes. Monitoring andmore observation is required. the onset of rains. Little is known about how signal grass responds to This invasive grass recovers rapidly afterfire from stolons andseed with common inthesouthernpartof thebioregion. monoculture indisturbed areas andinfestations have become more Signal grass is not as tall as otherinvasive grasses but can form adense Donovan Sharp, Queensland Herbarium (2012). Distinctive flowers of signal grass. 1/05/13 10:46 AM

34 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 3: Manage invasive grasses DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 35 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 35 Issue 3: Manage invasive grasses • • Andropogon grass virginicusWhiskey What is thepriority for this issue?

Priority grasses can increase thefire hazard. This species invades disturbed areas along tracks andlike otherexotic warmer months andfading to astraw colour during winter. distinctive erect, column-like habit, appearing orange-brown during the Whiskey grass is atall tussock-grass which grows upto onemetre with a High considered. effects can bemanaged andthepotential of control can be (particularly where it is anewinfestation) sothat theirnegative It is important to beaware of thepresence of invasive grasses health isgood. Planned burns to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem Priority assessment warmer months. and appearance during distinctive incolour is grass very Whiskey (2006). KymQPWS Sparshott, 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 36 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof the QPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable refer to thecompendium of planned Select from below as appropriate for thesite: after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives Assessing outcomes wildfire. impacts of low to limit hazard to Reduce fuel herbicide. with for control preparation seeds in grass invasive of germination mass Promote Measurable Measurable objectives fuel inat least three locations. Go, to visually assess theremaining How to Assess if Your Burn is Ready to of theQPWS Planned Burn Guidelines: Guide (Hines et 2010b),or al. Step 5 Post fire: use theOverall Fuel Hazard of invasive grass seeds. (preferably afterrain) for germination Assess thesite aftertheburn How to beassessed reduced to low. hazard has not been Not achieved: Fuel low has beenreduced to Achieved: Fuel hazard spraying. warrant follow-up germination to Insufficient Not achieved: follow-up spraying). (sufficient to warrant of weed seeds moderate germination Partially achieved: seeds. germination of weed Achieved: mass How to bereported (in fire report) 1/05/13 10:46 AM

36 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 3: Manage invasive grasses DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 37 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 37 Issue 3: Manage invasive grasses • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters • ManagementFire System. observation points can beobtained from themonitoring sectionof theQPWS photographs andby recording observations. Instructions for establishing points beestablished. Observation points are usually supportedby keep observing theland. To support this it is recommended that observation Many issues are not resolved with asingle planned burn andit is important to Monitoring theissue over time opening of bare ground encroachment andfurther of weeds. Soil moisture: Ensure good soil moisture to retain aduff layer andlimit the Wind speed: <10km/hr DI (KBDI):<100 FFDI: <7 Season: Late wet season to early season dry (February–April) is preferable burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider?

general aimto minimise fire severity. This will dependonthespecies of invasive grass being targeted but in objectives, timing andconditions. Recording fire details and results will help to refine the most appropriate bioregion are not yet established andwill besubject to experimentation. Fire management techniques for most species of invasive grasses inthe SEQ 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 38 • • suggested tactics. burn objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of burn tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve the at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during the Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? • • •

within thenon-target community. target community). Inbothinstances ensure good soil moisture is present create alow intensity backing fire that travels down slope towards thenon- in low lying areas (e.g. drainage lines utilise thesurrounding topography to from thenon-target community. Where thenon-target community is present afternoon/evening will assist increating alow severity fire that burns away grass is green andnot cured, under mild conditions, early morning orlate Undertake burning inareas adjacent to invasive grass infestations while the a lower intensity backing fire that burns away from thenon-target community. favourable weather conditions along themargin of thecommunity to promote lighting patterns (e.g. spot lighting with matches) incombination with Limit fire encroachment into non-target communities. Use appropriate or strip ignition. be achieved by thespacing shortening of lit spots oralternatively using line weather conditions are too mild orgrasses are not sufficiently cured. This can the season. Arunning fire will help thefirecarry thoughtheinfestation if Running fire. For many invasive grasses it is recommended to burn early in encroachment into non-target communities. intensity whenburning invasive grass infestations andreduce therisk of Backing fire (lit against thewind orslope) will helpto minimise thefire and fuel loads. vary throughout theburn dueto changes inweather conditions, topography between spots will result inalower intensity. The spacing of thespots may particularly where there is aninvasive grass infestation. Increased spacing Spot ignition.Can beused effectively to alter the desired intensity of afire plants andnewseedlings. the site andfollow uptreatments eitherby fire orherbicide of any remaining method. The successful treatment of these grasses will require monitoring a monthafterherbicide treatment, has beenused as aneffective control with herbicide, followed by alow to moderate severity planned burn about As partof acontrol program. Theinitial over-spraying of invasive grasses 1/05/13 10:46 AM

38 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 3: Manage invasive grasses DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 39 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 39 Issue 4: Reduce Lantana camara for fire management guidelines. Where lantana camara has become aninfestation; refer to Chapter 10(Issue 5) should beapplied. are still continuous, therecommended fire regime for healthy open forests Where Lantana camara occurs as ascattered understorey plant andgrass fuels Issue 4:Reduce Lantana camara Mark Burnham, QPWS, Glenrock State Forest (2006). therefore thestandard fire regime for open forests could beapplied to control lantana. Scattered lantana intheunderstorey. Notice that grass fuels are still continuous and 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 40 • Key indicators of BMAD(Look for acombination of theindicators below) Awareness of theenvironment groups adjacent to affected BMAD areas to prevent theexpansion of dieback. priority should beplaced onmaintaining ecosystem health infire vegetation open structure between theground layer andcanopy of openforests. Ahigh overabundant woody species inthemid-stratum andtheconsequent loss of in thesouthernhalf of thebioregion which appears to beassociated with Bell minerassociated die-back (BMAD)of eucalypts is asignificant issue Issue 5:Manage bell minerassociated dieback Mark Burnham, QPWS, Mt Barney National Park. and she-oaks can beindicators of BMADaffected open forest. Numerous dead anddying trees combined with adense mid-stratum of mainly wattles • • • •

Numerous trees are dead ordying. Epicormic regrowth onbranches is common within an area. Foliage of canopy tree upper branches is dying inanumberof trees. Presence of adense mid-stratum. (a highpitched ‘tink’). Presence of bell minerbirds (bellbirds) inthelocal area— calls are heard 1/05/13 10:46 AM

40 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 5: Manage bell miner associated dieback DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 41 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 41 Issue 5: Manage bell miner associated dieback Areas such as this where dieback is well established will bedifficult to recover andare Dave Kington,QPWS, Main Range National Park. expansion of dieback and reduce theimpact of potential highseverity wildfire. Planned burning inadjacent grassy openforest should beahighpriority to prevent the Mark Burnham, QPWS, Main Range National Park. therefore a very low priority for planned burning. 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 42 Jenise Blaik, QPWS, Main Range National Park (2011). Epicormic regrowth onbranches may becommon inaBMADarea. Wayne Kington,QPWS, D’Aguilar National Park (2008). accompanies BMAD. A dense woody understorey often Note upper branches beginning to die. Wayne Kington,QPWS, D’Aguilar National Park (2008). in thecrown of this eucalypt. Dead anddying tree branches are apparent 1/05/13 10:46 AM

42 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 5: Manage bell miner associated dieback DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 43 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland 43 Issue 5: Manage bell miner associated dieback • • • • • Discussion What is thepriority for this issue? Lantana camara’ where relevant, for fire management guidelines. Refer to Issue 2‘Reduce overabundant saplings’ orChapter 10(Issue 5)‘Reduce

Very low Medium Priority BMAD. A single dead tree ordead tree branch is not necessarily associated with therefore a very low priority for planned burning. Areas where dieback is well established will bedifficult to recover andare Phytophthora dieback). Seek assistance if unsure. in these cases (thoughthere is someevidence that fire is anelement in and Phytophthora can also cause dieback andfire will not necessarily help and how it can beaddressed. Not all dieback is dueto BMAD-drought There are various theories onthecause of bell minerassociated dieback the presence of bell miners, but management will bethesame as for BMAD. common insomepartsof thebird’s range. Psyllid dieback can occur without sometimes associated with thenative bell minerorbellbird andhas become Eucalypt dieback, strongly linked with sap feeding insects called psyllids, is impact of potential wildfire inBMADaffected areas. decline are thehighest priority for planned burning as it also reduces the Areas adjacent to BMADwhich are healthy orare showing early signs of High Ecosystem is extremely difficult to recover . recoverable. Planned burn inareas where ecosystem health is poorbut health isgood. Planned burns to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem Priority assessment 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 44 Refer to Chapter 10(Issue 8)for fire management guidelines. Issue 6:Manage sustainable production David Kington,QPWS, Glen Rock State Forest (2010). exactly ontheedge of thefuel hazard change. grass) underneath. Underideal planned burn conditions, this fire self-extinguished of growth, compared to theleft side which had three years growth andthatch (dead sides of thefence, theright side was previously grazed by cattle andhad only one year of surface andnear-surface fuels available). Although grass appears similar onboth Grazing can impact onplanned burning operations by reducing thefuel hazard (amount 1/05/13 10:46 AM

44 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 1­—Open forest and woodland Issue 6: Manage sustainable production DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 45

45 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 2­—Wet open forest should beahighpriority to maintain with planned burning. however there may besmall areas with agrassy orshrubby understorey which understorey which will only burn during wildfire inprolonged dry conditions; geology andfire frequency. Most of these forests have a rainforest dominated the composition of theunderstorey varies with rainfall, altitude, slope, aspect, between closed rainforest communities andopenforest andwoodland and In most partsof SEQ, wet openforest communities form amoving ecotone Fire management issues may occur, particularly within Sydney blue gumforests. species understorey, thoughsmall remnants of grassy orshrubby understorey brush box. These communities generally have arainforest-dominated but mixed species including floodedgum, tallowwood, Sydney blue gum, turpentine and as wetter lowland areas. They are typically dominated by oneoramix of canopy surrounding rainforests onelevated slopes, mountain ranges andgullies as well This fire vegetation group includes open forests in wetter areas of SEQ, generally Chapter 2: Wet openforest 2. 1. Issues: 49 ha; Ferntree Creek National Park, 48ha, Beerwah State Forest, 38ha. 67 ha; Mapleton National Park (Recovery), 55ha; Eumundi Conservation Park, State Forest, 96ha; Maleny National Park, 71ha; Toolara State Forest, 104 ha; Mapleton National Park, 103ha; West Cooroy State Forest, 100ha; Ringtail Creek State Forest, 128ha; Neerdie State Forest 2,123ha; Peachester State Forest, Lockyer National Park (Recovery), 182ha; Tewantin National Park, 177ha; Marys National Park, 240ha; Tamborine National Park, 199ha; Yurol State Forest, 187ha; Ravensbourne National Park, 293ha; Bellthorpe National Park, 250ha; Kondalilla State Forest, 623ha; Imbil State Forest 1,495ha; Deongwar State Forest, 364ha; Springbrook National Park, 853ha; Mount Barney National Park, 683ha; Glen Rock 1 856ha; Main Range National Park, 1827ha; Woondum National Park, 1087ha; National Park, 4817ha; D’Aguilar National Park, 3019ha; LamingtonNational Park, Largest locations of this Great FVG: Sandy National Park, 9868ha; Conondale 12.5.6a, 12.8.8,12.8.9,12.11.2,12.12.15a,12.12.15b. Extent within bioregion: 50629ha, 1percent; Regional ecosystems: 12.2.4,12.3.2,

Maintain wet openforest with arainforest understorey. Maintain wet openforest with agrassy orshrubby understorey 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 46 Refer to Chapter 1(Issue 1)for fire management guidelines. and Clarke 2006). profile of the understorey sothat other species can compete (Campbell to maintain grasses, keeping more mesic (rainforest) species low inthe forest with agrassy orshrubby understorey. More frequent fire is required Planned burning is critical to maintain small remaining areas of wet open shrubby understorey Issue 1:Maintain wet openforest with agrassy or 1/05/13 10:46 AM

46 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 2­—Wet open forest Issue 1: Maintain wet open forest with a grassy or shrubby understorey DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 47 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 2­—Wet open forest 47 Issue 2: Maintain wet open forest with a rainforest understorey fire management guidelines. encroachment into these communities. Refer to Chapter 10(Issue 2),for In someareas it may benecessary ordesirable to prevent fire cyclone damage). or catastrophic conditions (e.g. severe wildfire following drought and/or conditions andit is likely that fire will only ever penetrate under extreme desirable to introduce fire into these communities under planned burn Island, Lamingtonand Springbrook national parks). It is not possible or canopy of mature rainforest under tall eucalypt emergent’s (e.g. Fraser stratum while others, intheabsence of fire, develop a closed sub- Most wet openforest communities have arainforest dominated ground understorey Issue 2:Maintain wet openforest with arainforest Park (2008). QPWS, Great Sandy National of rainforest species. with aclosed midstratum Tall opensatinay forest 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 48 adjoining eucalypt forest. balds surrounded entirely by rainforest; andto restrict theexpansion of rainforest andeucalypt forest. Regular burning is required to maintain grassy The main issue for these communities is encroachment of surrounding Fire management issues endangered (Queensland Herbarium 2011a). and Fairfax 2006a). The biodiversity status of this regional ecosystem is to maintenance of thegrassy balds priorto European influence (Fensham high andlow altitudes. Past indigenous burning regimes are attributed as small pockets surrounded by eithereucalypt forest orrainforest at both generally treeless andshrubless. IntheBunya Mountains they exist mostly Poa labillardieri (e.g. andSorghumby tussock grasses leiocladum) andare Mountains. Known locally as grassy balds, these areas are mostly dominated In SEQ, grasslands have a very restricted distribution intheBunya Chapter 3:Grasslands 2. 1. Issues: National Park (Recovery), 1ha. Locations of this Bunya FVG: Mountains National Park, 455ha; Bunya Mountains Extent within bioregion: 669ha, < 1percent;Regional ecosystem: 12.8.15

Manage woody invasion. Maintain healthy grasslands andlimit forest encroachment 1/05/13 10:46 AM 48 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 3—Grasslands DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 49 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 3—Grasslands 49 Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and limit forest encroachment • • • Key indicators of healthy grasslands: Awareness of theenvironment moisture. eucalypt forest species, it is critical to conduct planned burns with good soil To maintain healthy grasslands andlimit forest encroachment by rainforest and encroachment Issue 1:Maintain healthy grasslands andlimit forest QPWS, Bunya Mountains National Park. Grasslands ingood health with only afew weeds (balloon cotton) present.

Few weeds present. Trees andshrubs absent ormostly absent. Grass clumps are well formed. 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 50 • • • The following may indicate that fire is required to maintain grasslands: Peter Cavendish, QPWS (2007). Grass clumps are collapsing with anaccumulation of thatch (dead material)

Rainforest pioneers emerging amongst thegrass clumps. grass clumps. A flush of eucalypt or wattle saplings/seedlings emerging amongst the collapsing grass clumps. Grass clumps poorly formed; anaccumulation of thatch (dead material) and 1/05/13 10:46 AM

50 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 3—Grasslands Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and limit forest encroachment DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 51 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 3—Grasslands 51 Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and limit forest encroachment Gradual encroachment of rainforest into grassy balds. What is thepriority for this issue? • • • • Discussion Peter Leeson, QPWS, Bunya Mountains National Park (2007).

Priority could compound health problems. Implementing fire during drought conditions is not recommended as this Be aware that signs of poorhealth can also bearesult of drought. grasses to germinate orspread. grass regeneration andlimit opportunity for balloon cotton andexotic Burning with good soil moisture to maintain grass bases will promote faster Fairfax 1996b). it has thecapacity to almost completely replace native species (Fensham and Exotic kikuyu grass is amajor threat to grasslands intheBunya Mountains as regrowth (Fensham andFairfax 1996a). to increase inabundance soonafterfire, however it decreases with grass Balloon cotton is awidespread weed onthegrassy balds andis reported High significance. Planned burn required to maintain areas of special conservation Priority assessment 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 52 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable refer to thecompendium of planned Select from below as most appropriate for thesite: after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes the tip. scorched to in height are one metre seedlings < saplings / of woody > 75% stubble. remain as bases grass the clumping > 90%of Measurable Measurable objectives saplings/seedlings scorched. severity); estimate thepercentage of variability of landform andlikely fire more transects (taking into account the Select oneormore sites orwalk oneor remaining afterfire. fire intensity) and estimate grass bases the variability of landform andlikely or more transects (taking into account Select oneormore sites orwalk one How to beassessed < 25%. Not achieved: 25–75 %. Partially achieved: > 75%. Achieved: < 75%bases remain. Not achieved: remain. 75–90 %bases Partially achieved: > 90%bases remain. Achieved: How to bereported (in fire report) 1/05/13 10:46 AM

52 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 3—Grasslands Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and limit forest encroachment DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 53 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 3—Grasslands 53 Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and limit forest encroachment • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters to theinaccessibility of many sites. the encroachment of rainforest andeucalypt forest; however this is difficult due There is aneedfor monitoring theextent of these grassy areas with respect to ManagementFire System. observation points can beobtained from themonitoring sectionof theQPWS photographs andby recording observations. Instructions for establishing points beestablished. Observation points are usually supportedby keep observing theland. To support this it is recommended that observation Many issues are not resolved with asingle planned burn andit is important to Monitoring theissue over time • • Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) Note: This table assumes good soil moisture andoptimal planned burn conditions. Moderate

severity Low to lanned burns across thelandscape maximum timeframe). Consider abroad create varying stages of Apply patchiness andadjusted for wildfire risk anddrought cycles. assessment of vegetation health, fuel accumulation andprevious fire Fire frequency should primarily bedetermined through on-ground class Low Fire (M) (L)

six years. with theoccasional moderate severity fire.

p intensity 50–100 (kWm 100– 1500 (during thefire) Fire Fire intensity -1 )

Average 0.3–0.5 0.5–1.5 height flame

po (m) st-fire response

Complete standing removed biomass biomass Average height scorch scorch ≤ 2.5 (m)

fire

(i. Fire severity (post-fire) at have burnt. Stubble still evident. surface andnear surface fuels Some patchiness. Most of the blackened remnants. fuels burnt. Stubble burnt to All surface andnear surface

interval range of between three e. arange of

r ecently burnt (loss of biomass) Description

fr equencies to

thr ough to the 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 54 regeneration andlimit promotion of weeds such as balloon cotton. the days following rain (andbefore adjoining forests will burn) will improve retention of grass bases andencourage grass regeneration. Timing burns in Soil moisture: Goodsoil moisture is critical whenburning grasslands to assist Wind speed: <15km/hr DI (KBDI):<100 GFDI: <7 consider this whenplanning andprioritising burns. Grasslands will out dry more quickly afterrain than surrounding forest so so as not to exacerbate theissue andto favour grass regeneration. starting to become abundant. Goodsoil moisture at thetimeof burning is vital A moderate severity fire may be required when targeting woody species that are Other issues Generally, avoid burning more than 50percent of grasslands inany one year. Landscape mosaic distributed fuel, soaimfor alandscape level mosaic. The entire area is likely to burn because of mostly continuous, evenly Mosaic (area burnt within anindividual planned burn) • • • Season: burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider?

opportunity for encroachment of weeds. may result inpatches of bare ground for longer periods andprovide the Be aware that grass growth andrecovery post fire is slower in winter which Avoid burning following frosts. Concentrate effortsduring years of good rainfall. 1/05/13 10:46 AM

54 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 3—Grasslands Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and limit forest encroachment DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 55 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 3—Grasslands 55 Issue 1: Maintain healthy grasslands and limit forest encroachment • suggested tactics. burn objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of burn tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve the at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during the Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? • •

changes inweather conditions, topography andfuel loads. burnt patches. The spacing of thespots may vary throughout theburn dueto will result inalower intensity fire andmore varied mosaic of unburnt and while increased spacing between spots oralternatively asingle spot ignition greater intensity (as spots merge andcreate highintensity junction zones) the desired intensity of afire. Spots closer together will result inalineof a Spot ignitionapplies to aerial andground ignitionandcan beused to alter and/or lighting these areas later intheday to limit intensity. and to maximise efficiency of resources. Consider burning soonafter rain Aerial ignitionis essential for planned burning inaccessible grassy pockets intensity andrate of spread are kept to aminimum. residence timeuseful to reduce overabundant seedlings, while ensuring fire coverage of anarea andabetter consumption of fuel. This tactic creates high on theleeward orsmoky edge) will generally result inamore complete A low intensity backing fire. Aslow moving, low intensity backing fire (lit Mountains National Parks (2004). Mark Cant, QPWS, Bunya balloon cotton. out-compete weeds such as post-fire regeneration to clump bases, andimprove in turn helps to retain grass minimise intensity which edge can beuseful to Spot ignitiononthesmoky 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 56 • • • Key indicators of where fire can still beintroduced: Awareness of theenvironment transition. communities reduces thehealth of grasses andwill eventually lead to forest Encroachment of eucalypt, wattle orrainforest saplings from surrounding Issue 2:Manage woody invasion

Grass layer is starting to become less continuous. plants are reduced inhealth andabundance. Grasses are scattered, poorly formed andcollapsing. Otherground layer above thegrass layer. Eucalypt, wattle orrainforest species are beginning to colonise, emerging 1/05/13 10:46 AM

56 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 3—Grasslands Issue 2: Manage woody invasion DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 57 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 3—Grasslands 57 Issue 2: Manage woody invasion Potential impacts of woody invasion: Other considerations • • • • • • Why are woody species invading? Discussion What is thepriority for this issue? • • • •

Very high Priority herbs. promotes regeneration further of woody species rather than grasses and The fire intensity will often behigherwhenthe community does burn which area if left too long. Once athicket has developed it may bedifficult to re-introduce fire into the the future. abundance, reducing theamount of ground fuel to carry low intensity fires in Shading by woody species will lead to adecline ingrass health and woody species over grasses. An altered regime of higher-intensity fires with low soil moisture can promote other tree species to mass-germinate creating thickets. several years, awildfire orhigh-severity fire cantrigger certain wattles and Where woody species have started to colonise andfire has beenabsent for from surrounding rainforest andeucalypt forest. Prolonged absence of fire can lead to gradual colonisation of woody species should beresumed (refer to Issue 1). Once thearea has recovered, therecommended regime for healthy grassland when sufficient fuel allows for alow If theinitial fire triggers aflush of newseedlings, follow-up planned burn issue. It is likely that more than oneplanned burn will berequired to manage this rainforest. Eventually thegrassland may transition into anopenwoodland community or significance. Planned burn required to maintain areas of special conservation Priority assessment to moderate to severity fire. 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 58 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable refer to thecompendium of planned Select from below as most appropriate for thesite: after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes Fire ManagementFire System. observation points can beobtained from themonitoring section of theQPWS photographs and by recording observations. Instructions for establishing points beestablished. Observation points are usually supportedby keep observing theland. To support this it is recommended that observation Many issues are not resolved with asingle planned burn andit is important to Monitoring theissue over time fire. recover after grasses > 75%of the tip. scorched to saplings are > 75%of Measurable Measurable objectives months afterfire. of grasses that recover oneto three fire intensity) and estimate cover the variability of landform andlikely or more sites (taking into account Before andafterfire, select three saplings scorched. severity); estimate thepercentage of variability of landform andlikely fire more transects (taking into account the Select oneormore sites orwalk oneor How to beassessed < 50%recover. Not achieved: 50–75 %recover. Partially achieved: recover. grasses Achieved: >75%of Not achieved: <50%. 50-75 %. Partially achieved: Achieved: >75%. How to bereported (in fire report) 1/05/13 10:46 AM

58 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 3—Grasslands Issue 2: Manage woody invasion DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 59 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 3—Grasslands 59 Issue 2: Manage woody invasion Other considerations: Mosaic (area burnt within anindividual planned burn) Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters • • • • • Scorch height Note: This table assumes good soil moisture andoptimal planned burn conditions. Moderate

severity Moderate severity fire. planned burn as fuel allows for low this issue. If theinitial fire triggers aflush of newseedlings, follow-up It is probable that more than oneplanned burn will berequired to manage available ground fuel but not reducing thetargeted saplings. Be aware that alow severity fire may domore harm than good by reducing Burn as much of thearea dominated by saplings as possible. on species. Ensure sufficient fuel has built up to amoderatecarry severity fire depending advice for otherspecies. scorched whereas brush box saplings should bescorched to thetip),seek depending ontarget species (e.g. green wattles requires only lower branches Scorch height required to reduce overabundant saplings will be variable class Fire (M) 150–500 intensity (kWm (during thefire) Fire Fire intensity -1 )

Average 0.5–1.5 height flame (m)

Average 2.5–7.5 height scorch scorch to moderate to severity fire. (m) Fire severity (post-fire) saplings. stubble remain. Scorching of humus layer andclumping grass scorched litter remains. Some of patchiness.Limited Some (loss of biomass) Description 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 60 suggested tactics. burn objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of burn tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve the at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during the Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? Wind speed: <15km/hr GFDI: <10 regeneration of grasses Season: Depends onaccumulation of fuel andsufficient moisture to favour burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider? • • •

overabundant trees (through scorching). carry through moist orinconsistent fuels. This is also useful to reduce Line ignitionis used to create afire of higherintensity or to helpfire species. with thewind) may helpinaddressing theissue of encroachment of woody Creating arunning fire (through closely spaced spot ignitionorline required oracombination of both. fuels andtheprevailing wind on the day, eitherspot orstrip lighting may be support asubsequent higherseverity fire internally. Depending onavailable Commence lighting ontheleeward (smoky) edge to create asafe edge to 1/05/13 10:46 AM

60 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 3—Grasslands Issue 2: Manage woody invasion DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 61

61 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities heath communities. the best strategy to mitigate theextent of unplanned fire and maintain healthy combined with landscape mosaic burning of heath with good soil moisture, is Maintaining appropriate mosaic burning insurrounding fire-adapted areas, many years to re-form. prolonged drought.If ignited, peat can smoulder for long periods andwill take Peat fires can bean issue in wet heaths andsedgelands, particularly during lead to adecline inplant health anddiversity. areas of montane heath andsomecoastal, prolonged absence of fire can also can reduce plant health andlead to long term loss of diversity. Inmore isolated scale (sometimes frequent) highintensity wildfires indry conditions, which The main issue for many coastal heath communities is therecurrence of broad- Fire management issues ridges andplateaus onpoorer soils. heath androck pavement, generally located onrocky mountain peaks, exposed woodland communities ondunes andsand plains. It also includes montane sedgelands andtreeless vegetated swamps, wallum banksia andlow mallee In SEQ this fire vegetation group contains wet anddry coastal heaths, Chapter 4:Heath communities 4. 3. 2. 1. Issues: National Park, 158ha; Main Range National Park, 143ha. National Park, 228ha; Eurimbula Resources Reserve,179ha; Moogerah Peaks Park, 333ha; Proposed Miara National Park (Yandaran Land),244ha; Mount Coolum adjacent to Tuan SF, 350ha; Mount Barney National Park, 339ha; Lamington National 514 ha; Mooloolah River National Park, 447ha; Littabella National Park, 398ha; Land 901 ha; Eurimbula National Park, 880ha; Glass House Mountains National Park, 986 ha; Naree Budjong Djara National Park (Recovery), 906ha; Toolara State Forest, National Park, 1196ha; Mount Walsh National Park, 1154ha; Bingera National Park, 1 999ha; Poona National Park, 1539ha; Deepwater National Park, 1 215ha; Noosa Djara National Park, 4193ha; Tuan State Forest, 2757ha; Bribie Island National Park, National Park, 18474ha; Moreton Island National Park, 6260ha; Naree Budjong Largest locations of this Great FVG: Sandy National Park, 75291ha; Burrum Coast Appendix 1. Extent within bioregion: 145914ha; 2percent; Regional ecosystems:Refer to

Manage exotic pinewildings. Avoid peat fires Maintain healthy montane heath communities Maintain healthy coastal heath communities 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 62 • • • Key indicators of healthy coastal heath communities (refer to photos below): Awareness of theenvironment burning inassociation with thesurrounding fire-adapted communities. Maintain heath communities by mosaic burning onalandscape level and Issue 1:Maintain healthy coastal heath communities Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Glass House Mountains National Park (2011). Healthy wet heath community • •

Low lying areas may beseasonally waterlogged. wallum banksia orstunted ormallee-form trees is present. Trees are absent oroccasional emergents; oralow tree layer dominated by Rushes, sedges, lilies andherbs are present intheground layer of wet heath. virgata, Hakea actites andwedding bush Ricinocarpos pinifolius. Presence of obligate seeders such as small-leaved geebung Persoonia banksias, hakeas, pea flowers, tea-trees Leptospermum spp. andgrass trees. There is adiversity of shrubspecies that appear green and vigorous including 1/05/13 10:46 AM

62 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 63 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities 63 Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities Healthy coastal openheath with emergent melaleucas QPWS, Bribie Island National Park (2005). Healthy opensedgelands. Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Glass House Mountains National Park (2011). 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 64 Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Noosa National Park (2003). with healthy newfoliage. Healthy highdune heath. Note thepresence of dead woody material from previous fire Adam Creed, QPWS, Toby’s Gap, Fraser Island. Healthy wet coastal heath 1/05/13 10:46 AM

64 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 65 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities 65 Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities Healthy wallum banksia heath Paul QPWS, Horton, Burrum Coast National Park (2012). Healthy low mallee heath woodland Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Glass House Mountains National Park (2011). 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 66 • • • • • • • Signs of where fire management is required: Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Glass House Mountains National Park (2011). been absent too long from this wallum banksia woodland. Dead branches, spindly growth andloss of diversity intheunderstorey indicate fire has

of saplings heath. indry Encroachment of melaleuca saplings inwet heath orincreasing abundance dense matting of material dry is present inwet heath. Substantial dead material is accumulating amongst sedges andrushes or Dodder is starting to smothertheshrublayer. Grass trees have accumulated dense brown skirts. Dense matting of dead vegetation appears under banksias. There is anoticeable loss of diversity intheshrublayer. shrubs are dying. Dead material is accumulating onshrubs. Shrubs have lost asignificant amount of lower level leaves, or crowns of 1/05/13 10:46 AM

66 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 67 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities 67 Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities Shrubs are losing lower leaves andgrass trees accumulating dead skirts inthis open Jenise Blaik, QPWS, Teerk Roo Ra National Park (2011). Sedges andrushes are starting to accumulate dead material inthis wet heath. Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Noosa National Park (2011). heath 1/05/13 10:46 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 68 Paul QPWS, Horton, Burrum Coast National Park (2012). Dodder is smothering theshrublayer inthis long unburnt heath. on ground layer plants. plants may fall over, impacting seed clusters (inset) mature with theweight of large woody fully grown (2-3m).Combined structurally dominant when communities andcan become abundant insomewet heath National Park (2008). Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Noosa Hakea actites shrubs are 1/05/13 10:47 AM

68 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 69 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities 69 Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities • • • • Discussion • • • •

occurs. occurs across abroad area, consider reintroducing fire before reseeding of mass germination following fire, particularly inlow soil moisture. If this Some obligate seeders such as hakea can become overabundant as aresult adequate seedsupply between fires. sufficient time to mature andset seed over several years to build an years to reach reproductive maturity. It is important to allow someplants seeder species (i.e. regenerating only from seed) which can take several Coastal heath communities feature arelatively of highproportion obligate reduce theextent of future wildfires. the landscape inamosaic to provide arange of vegetation age classes and also results indecline inplant health anddiversity. It is important to burn Conversely, someheath communities experience too infrequent fire which subsequent long-term impacts on plant diversity andhealth. (sometimes frequent) highintensity wildfires indry conditions, with wildfire. The issue is that these areas may only experience broad-scale or high-use recreation areas making themmore susceptible to arson and Many coastal heath communities are located within theurban interface expected to bemore damaging andextensive. recovery of theplants andcommunity generally. The resulting fire can also be instances plants will bedrought ‘stressed’ andthis will impact upon post fire Implementing fire during drought conditions is not recommended as inmost water to helpprotect thepeat layer. In wet heath communities with apeat layer, planned burn with standing beneath firelines with ahighrisk of re-ignition elsewhere. Peat fires are extremely difficult to extinguish and may travel underground months afterthefire has occurred. Peat takes many years to re-form. is highly flammable and whendry can continue to smoulder for weeks or packed vegetation). Due to its porous nature andhighcarbon content, peat Low-lying wet heaths gradually accumulate peat (partially decayed, densely 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 70 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof the QPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable refer to thecompendium of planned after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes What is thepriority for this issue? three years) 30 %every burn approx (e.g. mosaic landscape across the burning by mosaic community within heath diversity class age Create Measurable Measurable objectives Priority High health isgood. Planned burns to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem ground burnt within visual field. burn area estimating thepercentage of 300 ormore metres through planned ecosystems within burn area), walk of the variability of landform and In three locations (that take account burnt. determine thepercentage of area with GPS, plot onParkInfo andthereby Map theboundaries of burnt areas vantage points,orfrom theair. vegetation burnt—from oneormore Visual estimation of percentage of Choose oneof these options: How to beassessed Priority assessment > 75%burnt. Not Achieved: result) on objectives depending future planned burn % burnt.(Adjust 0–25 %or50–75 Partially achieved: 25–50 %burnt. Achieved: How to bereported (in fire report) 1/05/13 10:47 AM

70 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 71 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities 71 Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities A successful mosaic burn inopenheath—this can bedifficult to achieve within small Galen Matthews, QPWS, Moreton Island National Park (2009). Mosaic planned burning coastal heath at alandscape level using aerial incendiaries. Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Currimundi Lake Conservation Park (2009). areas, sogenerally aimfor alandscape level mosaic. 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 72 Fire ManagementFire System. observation points can beobtained from themonitoring sectionof theQPWS photographs andby recording observations. Instructions for establishing points beestablished. Observation points are usually supportedby keep observing theland. To support this it is recommended that observation Many issues are not resolved with asingle planned burn andit is important to Monitoring theissue over time Lisa Ford, QPWS, Bribie Island National Park (1995). useful as anindicator of appropriate fire regimes insomeheath communities. Monitoring thepresence of common obligate seeders such as wedding bush may be 1/05/13 10:47 AM

72 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 73 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities 73 Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters State-wide fire severity descriptions adjusted for SEQ conditions. Note: This table assumes good soil moisture andoptimal planned burn conditions. Moderate

Extreme severity expected). Coastal heath andsedgelands: Moderate (small pockets of extreme can be class Low Low Fire (M) (E) (L) (during thefire) Average flame Fire intensity height (m) 2.0–4.0 > 4.0 < 2.0

mineral earth. Extensive to total biomass burnt.Burnt to and small trees. closed heath. Some scorching of shrubs surface fuels. Can create distinct ‘holes’ in remove all thesurface fuels (litter) andnear patches) intheshrublayer. Does not Substantial unburnt vegetation (green Charred duff layer remains. shrubs remain. Trunks of grass trees intact. Most vegetation burnt. Skeletal frames of Fire severity (post-fire) (loss of biomass) Description National Park (2002). Jenise Blaik, QPWS, Teerk Roo Ra community. structure of theheath species andmaintain regeneration for many is important to provide moderate severity fire remaining intact aftera Skeletal frames of shrubs 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 74 • • Landscape mosaic Note: This table assumes good soil moisture andoptimal planned burn conditions. Moderate

Extreme severity Patchy to Low to management area inthesame year. Do not burn more than 30percent of these heath communities within a area. It is therefore important to create themosaic at a landscape level. may bedifficult to achieve amosaic within asmall individual planned burn Because most of these communities tend to burn all at once ornot at all, it extremeof can beexpected) Wallum banksia andlow mallee woodland <10m:Moderate (small pockets class Fire (M) (P) (E) (L) to

Fire intensity (during the height (m) Average flame > 1.0 < 1.0 fire)

height (m) Average scorch scorch > 5.0 < 5.0 Fire severity (post-fire) shrubs andsmall trees remain. Largely only skeletal frames of of green vegetation remaining. foliage burnt.Minimal evidence vegetation burnt.Extensive to total Greaterearth. than 60% Understorey burnt to mineral trees. scorching of shrubs andsmall Overall little canopy scorch. Some distinct ‘holes’ inclosed heath. near surface fuels. Can create all thesurface fuels (litter) and shrub layer. Does not remove patches) intheground and Unburnt vegetation(green 40–60 % vegetation burnt. (loss of biomass) Description 1/05/13 10:47 AM

74 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 75 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities 75 Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities Other considerations • • Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) • • • Galen Matthews, QPWS, Moreton Island National Park (2009). adjoining unburnt areas, creating variation in vegetation ages. heath. Anothermosaic burn has beenplanned for three years timeto target someof the Only asmall percentage of thetotal planned burn area was actually burnt inthis coastal

saic planned burns across thelandscape eight andtwenty years with anemphasis oneight to twelve years. the maximum timeframe). Consider abroad to create varying stages of Apply history assessment of vegetation health, fuel accumulation andprevious fire Fire frequency should primarily bedetermined through on-ground season (e.g. swamp orwet heath). Consider progressive burning to treat more volatile fuel types early inthe species (e.g. pea flowers require more heat to germinate). same interval between fires orat the same timeof year. Some hard seeded It is important to ensure that individual areas are not always burnt with the Generally it is not possible to planned burn coastal heath at low severity.

mo andadjusted for wildfire risk anddrought cycles.

po st-fire response (i.e.

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betw equencies ough to een 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 76 Soil moisture: Wind speed: <15km/hr Relative Humidity:>50percent (only relevant to southernbay islands) DI (KBDI):<120(80southernbay islands). FFDI: <11. Season: to January August (southernbay islands May to August) burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider? • • suggested tactics. burn objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of burn tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve the at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during the Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? • •

that preferably extinguishes overnight. into these communities andensure theresulting fire is of alower severity low cloud cover ortheevening) is auseful tactic to helplimit spread of fire Burning inhighhumidityconditions (such as intheadvent of rain, during accurately record percentage burnt. points as GPS coordinates. Post-burn aerial observation is required to determine appropriate ignitionpoints.It may beuseful to record ignition planning is required using GIS mapping to show previously burnt areas and conditions ontheday, is useful for mosaic burning of large areas. Pre- Aerial incendiary with planned spot ignition,using topography andweather minimise risk of re-ignition inwet heath. Standing water orwaterlogged peat is thecritical factor that will helpto and can out dry very quickly, particularly where they occur onsandy soils. can receive regular moisture orrain, they are also exposed to strong winds Ensure good soil moisture is present. Be aware that althoughcoastal heaths 1/05/13 10:47 AM

76 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy coastal heath communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 77 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities 77 Issue 2: Maintain healthy montane heath communities • • Key indicators of healthy montane heath communities: Awareness of theenvironment communities. landscape level andburning inassociation with thesurrounding fire-adapted Maintain healthy montane heath communities by mosaic burning ona Issue 2:Maintain healthy montane heath communities Justin O’Connell, QPWS, Mt Maroon (2009). maintain variation intimesince fire. Montane heath is oftenfragmented by rock pavement which can beused to help

Callitris monticola andnarrow-leaved boronia Boronia anethifolia. Presence of obligate seedershrubs such as Allocasuarina rigida, steelhead trees. grass banksias, hakeas, pea flowers, tea-trees Leptospermum spp., sheoaks and A diversity of shrubspecies that appear green and vigorous including 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 78 • • • • • Signs of where fire management is required: Dave Kington,QPWS, Lamington National Park (2011). and there is adominance of sheoaks Allocasuarina spp. This montane heath has beenunburnt for 20 years. Notice lower level leaves are dying

Banksias appear spindly with alack of leaves. Grass trees are accumulating dense brown skirts. oaks ortea-trees) is observed. Increasing abundance ordominance of asingle species (e.g. hakea, she- Loss of diversity is observedintheshrublayer. shrubs are dying. Substantial dead material is accumulating onshrubs. Shrubs have lost asignificant amount of lower level leaves, or crowns of 1/05/13 10:47 AM

78 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities Issue 2: Maintain healthy montane heath communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 79 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities 79 Issue 2: Maintain healthy montane heath communities • • • • Discussion

future wildfires. mosaic to provide arange of vegetation age classes andreduce theextent of between fires. In conjunction it is important to burn the landscape ina mature andset seedover several years to build anadequate seedsupply For obligate seeders it is important to allow someplants sufficient time to extended period. or series of dry, high-severity fires orwhere fire has been absent foran An imbalance of hakea, sheoaks ortea trees may oftenresult from asingle as too frequent broad-scale high-intensity wildfires indry conditions. Plant health anddiversity can bereduced by extended absence of fire as well fragmentation by rock pavement. the communities that surround themandare oftenself protecting dueto Montane heath communities typically require longer fire frequency than 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 80 • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters • • Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) Notes: Moderate

severity saic planned burns across thelandscape between to themaximum timeframe). Consider abroad to create varying stages of Apply patchiness assessment of vegetation health, fuel accumulation andprevious fire Fire frequency Low class Low Low Fire (M) (L) a) This table assumes good soil moisture andoptimal planned burn conditions. b) State-wide fire severity descriptions adjusted for SEQ conditions. to moderate to

mo

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wildfire risk st-fire response and small trees. closed heath. Some scorching of shrubs surface fuels. Can create distinct ‘holes’ in remove all thesurface fuels (litter) andnear patches) intheshrublayer. Does not Substantial unburnt vegetation (green Charred duff layer remains. shrubs remain. Trunks of grass trees intact. Most vegetation burnt. Skeletal frames of

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1/05/13 10:47 AM

80 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities Issue 2: Maintain healthy montane heath communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 81 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities 81 Issue 2: Maintain healthy montane heath communities suggested tactics. burn objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of burn tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve the at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during the Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? conditions, dryingandexposure dueto topography andshallow soils. regeneration. These communities are heavily influenced by local weather Soil moisture: The presence of good soil moisture is crucial for good Wind speed: <15km/hr DI (KBDI):<120 FFDI: <11 Season: Late wet season to early season dry (e.g. February to August) burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider? • •

when burning inassociation with thesurrounding landscape. useful to encourage variability orto introduce fire into long unburnt areas Aerial ormanual spot ignitionof heath along spurs andridgelines may be re-ignite unburnt areas. naturally into heath whenburning surrounding areas but donot attempt to Burn inassociation with surrounding landscape. Allow fire to penetrate National Park (2008). QPWS, Moogerah Peaks and promote mosaics. reduce thefire severity afternoon will help heath inthelate Spot lighting montane 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 82 Refer to Chapter 10(Issue 4),for fire management guidelines. peat fires. Planned burn with standing water inwet coastal heath andsedgelands to avoid Issue 3:Avoid peat fires 1/05/13 10:47 AM

82 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities Issue 3: Avoid peat fires DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 83 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 4—Heath communities 83 Issue 4: Manage exotic pine wildings Refer to Chapter 10(Issue 7),for fire management guidelines. pine plantations. Germination of exotic pinewildings is anissue inareas of heath adjacent to Issue 4:Manage exotic pinewildings Graeme Bulley, QPWS, Bribie Island National Park (2011). Exotic pinewildings inregenerating heath community. 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 84 more direct approach to fire management may be required. communities onsomeoccasions. Where they occur as anextensive forest, a mosaic burning insurrounding areas, allowing fire to penetrate into melaleuca as isolated stands within abroader fire-adapted community, the focus is on landscape which present different fire management issues. Where they occur There are considerable differences inhow melaleuca communities occur inthe Fire management issues forests restricted to SEQ are also included inthis group. or shrubby understorey. The endangered swamp tea-tree Melaleuca irbyana ferns andotherwet heath species, while driersites may have agrassy and/ paperbark). The understorey is variable with wetter sites supportingsedges, and openforests commonly dominated by Melaleuca quinquenervia (swamp This fire vegetation group includes melaleuca swamps, melaleuca woodlands Chapter 5:Melaleuca communities 3. 2. 1. Issues: 68 ha; Glass House Mountains National Park, 67ha; Teerk Roo Ra National Park, 60ha. Forest 2,78ha; Ext to Bribie Island National Park, 71ha; Venman Bushland National Park, Island Conservation Park, 90ha; Beerburrum West State Forest, 79ha; Neerdie State Central Great Sandy Strait, 100ha; Ext to Poona National Park, 94ha; South Stradbroke 110 ha; Vernon Conservation Park, 108ha; Mount Coolum National Park, 105ha; USL River State Forest, 116ha; Landadjacent to Poona NP, 112ha; Pumicestone National Park, River Conservation Park, 118ha; Carbrook Wetlands Conservation Park 1,117ha; Elliott Budjong Djara National Park (Recovery), 124ha; Bingera National Park, 122ha; Maroochy Coolum Creek Conservation Park, 260ha; Great Sandy Conservation Park, 150ha; Naree Island Conservation Park, 278ha; Proposed Miara National Park (Yandaran Land),261ha; 297 ha; Wongi Forest Reserve,296ha; Eurimbula Resources Reserve,295ha; Curtis National Park, 371ha; Mooloolah River National Park, 323ha; Beerwah State Forest, Park, 505ha; Southern Moreton Bay Islands National Park, 501ha; Moreton Island Park, 657ha; Noosa National Park, 552ha; Wongi State Forest, 547ha; Littabella National State Forest, 988ha; Curtis Island National Park, 704ha; Naree Budjong Djara National Toolara State Forest, 1667ha; Burrum Coast National Park, 1274ha; Beerburrum East 2 919ha; Deepwater National Park, 2043ha; Eurimbula National Park, 1916ha; Island National Park, 4725ha; Tuan State Forest, 3237ha; Poona National Park, Largest locations of this Great FVG: Sandy National Park, 12338ha; Bribie Extent within bioregion: 80673ha; 1percent; Regional ecosystems: Refer to Appendix 1.

Manage exotic pinewildings. Avoid peat fires Maintain healthy melaleuca communities 1/05/13 10:47 AM 84 New England Tableland Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 5—Melaleuca communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 85 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 5—Melaleuca communities 85 Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities • • • Key indicators of ahealthy melaleuca community Awareness of theenvironment Maintain healthy melaleuca communities with planned burning. Issue 1:Maintain healthy melaleuca communities Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Caloundra Conservation Park (2011). Melaleuca community with ahealthy grass/sedge understorey.

Permanent orseasonal standing water may bepresent. some coastal communities. Cabbage tree palms may bepresent inthemidstratum orsub-canopy of melaleuca species of variable sizes andahealthy canopy. forbs, ferns, orchids, shrubs, orany mix of these intheunderstorey, with Understorey may contain asparse to dense ground layer of grasses, sedges, 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 86 Rowena Thomas, QPWS (2011). Melaleuca swamp with wet heath understorey Ridge Conservation Park (2005). Sylvia Millington, QPWS, Pine inundation. subject to seasonal fern/sedge understorey, Melaleuca forest with 1/05/13 10:47 AM

86 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 5—Melaleuca communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 87 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 5—Melaleuca communities 87 Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities Melaleuca swamp with amidstratum of cabbage tree palms andsedge understorey. Jenise Blaik, QPWS Teerk Roo Ra National Park (2011). melaleuca from more frequent regimes. adjacent fire adapted communities when standing water is present will limit impacts on Melaleuca communities can occur innarrow strips along drainage channels. Burning Jenise Blaik, QPWS, South Stradbroke Island Conservation Park (2011). 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 88 • • • • • melaleuca community: Some of thefollowing may indicate that fire is required to maintain a Rowena Thomas, QPWS, Glass House Mountains National Park (2009). monkey vine inthemidstratum which can also become dense intheabsence of fire. Dead material is accumulating inthefern /sedge ground stratum. Note thepresence of

stand of many closely spaced narrow trees. and begun to shade out ground layer. Sometimes these form awhipstick There has beenaflush of pine wildlings orgroundsel which have grown up the ground layer. There has beenamass germination of melaleuca inamongst orjust above Guide). accumulated to Highhazard (using theOverall Fuel Hazard Assessment Surface andnear-surface fine fuels such as leaf litter, bark andtwigs have Increasing density of monkey vine Parsonsia spp., inthemidstratum grasses are beginning to collapse (nolonger erect). There is adense accumulation of dead material (grasses/sedges/ferns) and 1/05/13 10:47 AM

88 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 5—Melaleuca communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 89 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 5—Melaleuca communities 89 Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities What is thepriority for this issue? • • • Discussion after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes

Very high Priority infrequent fires. be disrupted by too frequent high severity fires indry conditions or too an openeucalypt overstorey. Regeneration of these melaleucas may The endangered swamp tea-tree communities occur as low forests with arrangement which can result inamuch greater mortality of melaleuca. be of amuch greater severity dueto thecloseness of saplings andfuel Where athicket of young melaleucas has developed, theresulting fire can epicormic buds. melaleuca trees will oftenrespond post fire with aflush of regrowth from (depending uponweather conditions at thetimeandfire severity). Younger self extinguish without causing any damage particularly to mature trees will quickly run from thebase of thetree to thetop. Often these fires will The thick paperybark of somemelaleucas promotes ladder fires which High health isgood. Planned burn to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem significance. Planned burn required to maintain areas of special conservation Priority assessment 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 90 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof the QPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable refer to thecompendium of planned Select from below as appropriate for thesite: peat fire. not result ina burn does The planned stubble. remain as sedge bases or grass clumping > 90%of melaleuca. of mature mortality < 5% moderate. reduced to fine fuel near-surface surface and Combined Measurable Measurable objectives into apeat fire. carried into peat layer anddeveloped post burn to ensure thefire has not Ongoing visual assessment during and fire. clumping grass bases remaining after intensity) andestimate percentage of variability of landform andlikely fire more transects (taking into account the Select oneormore sites orwalk oneor months afterthefire). mature dead trees (approximately six severity); estimate thepercentage of variability of landform andlikely fire more transects (taking into account the Select oneormore sites orwalk oneor fuel inat least three locations. Guide, to visually assess theremaining Post fire: use theOverall Fuel Hazard How to beassessed peat fire. and developed into a carried into peat layer Not achieved: Fire peat fire. and develop into a carry into peat layer Achieved: Fire didnot < 75%bases remain. Not achieved: remain. 75–90 %bases Partially achieved: > 90%bases remain. Achieved: Not achieved: >5%. Achieved: <5%. still High. Not achieved: fine fuel reduced to Moderate. Achieved: fine fuel How to bereported (in fire report) 1/05/13 10:47 AM

90 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 5—Melaleuca communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 91 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 5—Melaleuca communities 91 Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities Fire ManagementFire System. observation points can beobtained from themonitoring sectionof theQPWS photographs andby recording observations. Instructions for establishing points beestablished. Observation points are usually supportedby keep observing theland. To support this it is recommended that observation Many issues are not resolved with asingle planned burn andit is important to Monitoring theissue over time Monitoring thepresence Sylvia Millington, QPWS (2005). appropriate fire. used as anindicator of Phaius australis can be endangered swamp orchid species such as the and condition of specific 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 92 • • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters Note: This table assumes good soil moisture and optimal planned burn conditions. Moderate

severity high (othermelaleuca of areas communities)Moderate small with Low class High Low Fire (M) (H) (L) to moderate to (Melaleuca opengrassy/ferny woodland).

150–500 intensity (kWm < 150 500– 1000 (during thefire) Fire Fire intensity -1 )

Average 0.5–1.5 1.5–3.0 height flame < 0.5 (m)

melaleuca melaleuca melaleuca 7.5–15.0 Average 20 mon 20 mon 2.5–7.5 height scorch scorch 8 mon (up to (up to (up to trees) trees) trees) < 2.5 (m) Fire severity (post-fire) or nocanopy scorch. scorching of elevated fuels. Little grass stubble retained. Some habitat trees, fallen logs, and layer retained. Nearly all retained but charred. Humus Significant patchiness. Litter Little ornocanopy scorch. Some scorch of elevated fuels. trees andfallen logs retained. stubble remain. Most habitat half thehumus layer andgrass scorched litter remains. About patchiness.Moderate Some (or nearly so). stratum burnt completely < 20mheight canopy, mid some canopy scorch inmoderate and fallen logs affected. At least remains. Some habitat trees Some patchiness. Some humus (loss of biomass) Description 1/05/13 10:47 AM

92 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 5—Melaleuca communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 93 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 5—Melaleuca communities 93 Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities • • • Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) ground assessment. of melaleuca areas with fire management may be required depending onon- can beplanned to achieve therecommended fire frequency. Direct targeting melaleuca community. Fire penetration into melaleuca (from surrounding areas) fire-adapted areas with a good awareness of moisture conditions within the fire management approach for melaleuca communities is burning surrounding Where they are not directly targeted as partof fuel management burns, themain Specific guidelines for melaleuca communities 4, for guidelines). standing water orwhenthepeat layer is water logged (refer to Chapter 10Issue vulnerable to peat fire inthedriermonths andshould always be burnt with communities seasonally inundated orwhere apeat layer has formed are Soil moisture: Burn with good soil moisture inmelaleuca woodlands. Melaleuca Wind speed: <15km/hr DI (KBDI):Ideally 60–80,but <100 FFDI: <11 Season: to January July (consider varying theseason of burn) burn planning. undesirable conditions andweather changes can beavoided, orto helpwith It is important to beaware of conditions priorto andfollowing burns sothat What weather conditions should Iconsider?

fern understorey twelve to twenty years. of six to twenty years; heath understorey eight to twelve years;sedge/ and moisture with abroad fire interval range for mixed grass/shrub understorey saic planned burnsConsider across theneeds thelandscape of melaleuca communities based onunderstorey and the maximum timeframe). to create varying stages of Apply patchiness andadjusted for wildfire risk anddrought cycles. assessment of vegetation health, fuel accumulation andprevious fire Fire frequency should primarily be determined through on-ground

mo

po st-fire response

(i. e.

r

ecently burnt at arange of frequencies

thr ough to 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 94 reduce emberspotting (dueto moisture being retained inbark). flammable. Planned burns following rain will helpprotect melaleuca trees and Be aware that thepaperybark andleaves of melaleuca are volatile andhighly Other considerations •

low overabundance is controlled, it is important to return to apredominantly impact oncanopy species recruitment. Therefore once midstratum be necessary to control sapling overabundance, it may also have an required to manage this issue. Although moderate severity fires may subsequent fires. It is likely that more than one planned burn will be to observepost fire germination and kill rates to ascertain theneed for For melaleuca andpinewilding overabundance, it is particularly important severity fire regime. Park (2011). Stradbroke Island Conservation Jenise Blaik, QPWS, South improve post-fire regrowth. fire to self-extinguish and soon afterrain will helpthe tree trunk. Planned burning Melaleuca draws fire upthe The paperybark of 1/05/13 10:47 AM

94 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 5—Melaleuca communities Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 95 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 5—Melaleuca communities 95 Issue 1: Maintain healthy melaleuca communities • • • suggested tactics. burn objectives. What is offered below is not prescriptive, rather atoolkit of burn tactics should bereviewed andadjusted as required to achieve the at thesame location (e.g. dueto topographical variation). Also, during the Tactics will besite-specific anddifferent burn tactics may need to beemployed What burn tactics should Iconsider? • • •

spot orstrip lighting oracombination of both. on available fuels andtheprevailing wind ontheday this may require either fire-line, a safe perimeter andpromote alow severity backing fire. Depending Commence lighting ontheleeward (smoky) edge to establish theinitial a minimum.Greater residence timeis useful inreducing overabundant trees. of residence time,while ensuring fire intensity and rate of spread are kept to more complete coverage of an area and ensures the fire has a greater amount against thewind onthesmoky edge ordown-slope) will generally result ina A backing fire with good residence time-Aslow moving backing fire (lit damaging junction zones forming within this community. lighting adjacent to melaleuca stands is preferred to limit thechance of hot Spot ignition.Useful to alter thedesired severity of afire. Well spaced spot community. both instances ensure good soil moisture is present within themelaleuca backing fire that travels down slope towards themelaleuca community. In drainage lines), utilise thesurrounding topography to create alow intensity away from thenon-target area. Or, where themelaleuca is low-lying (e.g. community may assist increating alow intensity backing fire that burns melaleuca, appropriate lighting patterns along themargin of the melaleuca surrounding fire-adapted areas where you donot want fire topenetrate into Limit fire encroachment into non-target communities. Whenburning in overabundant trees (through scorching). fire throughcarry moist orinconsistent fuels. This is also useful to reduce Line orstrip ignitionis used to create afire of higherintensity or to help greater mosaic and variability of timesince fire. Areas with standing water can beused to protect peat andcreate fires with a 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 96 Refer to Chapter 10(Issue 4),for fire management guidelines. Issue 2:Avoid peat fires Troy Spinks, QPWS, South Stradbroke Island Conservation Park (2005). burning inadjacent communities. Standing water will prevent peat fires and reduce likelihood of ignitionduring planned 1/05/13 10:47 AM

96 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 5—Melaleuca communities Issue 2: Avoid peat fires DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 97 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 5—Melaleuca communities 97 Issue 3: Manage exotic pine wildings Refer to Chapter 10(Issue 7),for fire management guidelines. Issue 3:Manage exotic pinewildings Graeme Bulley, QPWS, Bribie Island National Park (2008). community. A flush of pine wildings has formed adense thicket inthe understorey of this melaleuca 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 98 2. 1. Issues: Fire management issues and exposed rocky headlands (grassy orwind-sheared shrub). This fire vegetation group includes coastal fringing forests of swamp she-oak Chapter 6:Coastal fringing forests andheadlands 17 ha;+ Naree Budjong Djara National Park, 16ha. Proposed Addition To Conservation Park, 18ha; Coombabah Lake Conservation Park, Creek Conservation Park, 21ha; Ext to Poona National Park, 18ha; Barubbra Island - Eurimbula Resources Reserve,30ha; Southend Conservation Park, 21ha; Eudlo Park, 45ha; Beerburrum East State Forest, 42ha; Noosa National Park, 37ha; National Park, 110ha; Burrum Coast National Park, 68ha; Pumicestone National Sandy National Park, 148ha; Great Sandy Conservation Park, 115ha; Bribie Island Bay Islands National Park, 215ha; Curtis Island National Park, 203ha; Great Largest locations of this Eurimbula FVG: National Park, 406ha; Southern Moreton Appendix 1. Extent within bioregion 4259ha; < 1percent;Regional ecosystems: Refer to

Maintain health of rocky headlands. Maintain health of fringing swamp she-oak forests 1/05/13 10:47 AM 98 New England Tableland Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 6—Coastal fringing forests and headlands DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 99 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 6—Coastal fringing forests and headlands 99 Issue 1: Maintain health of fringing swamp she-oak forests Signs of where fire management is required infringing swamp she-oak forest: • • • • • Key indicators of health infringing swamp she-oak forest: Awareness of theenvironment 2011a). communities have anendangered biodiversity status (Queensland Herbarium be burnt inassociation with surrounding fire-adapted communities. These Fringing swamp she-oak forests are fire-adapted communities which should Issue 1:Maintain health of fringing swamp she-oak forests • • • •

These areas may besubject to tidal inundation. Few ornoweeds e.g. groundsel are present. of ground plants orwith reeds, sedges and/orferns. (e.g. marine couch); acover of fallen sheoak ‘leaves’ (cladodes) anddevoid The ground stratum may bepresent as asparse cover of salt-tolerant plants Melaleuca and/ormangroves may beintermingled onthemargins. Open to dense canopy of swamp she-oaks. litter, bark andtwigs. Accumulation of elevated fuels is high orabove. Build upof fine fuels such as dead grass material, leaf litter, suspended leaf Accumulation of dead material insedge/fern understorey where present. Increasing infestation of weeds, particularly groundsel. It is difficult to seethrough or walk into the forest. (2011). Rowena Thomas,QPWS understorey. forest with asedge Swamp she-oak 1/05/13 10:47 AM DEPNP10037_bp2005_SOUTH EAST QLD PBG D6.indd 100 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof the QPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable, refer to thecompendium of planned after fire, and by using counts where relevant. Estimations can beimproved by returning to thesame locations before and walk around andif visibility is good look about andaverage theresults. locations that will begood indicators for thewhole burn area. At these locations understorey or vegetation type.It is recommended that you select at least three Every proposed burn area contains natural variations intopography, Formulating objectives for burn proposals Assessing outcomes What is thepriority for this issue? communities fire-adapted surrounding with association burn in Mosaic Very high Measurable Measurable objectives Priority High health isgood. Planned burn to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem significance. Planned burn required to maintain areas of special conservation ground burnt within visual field. burn area estimating thepercentage of 300 ormore metres through planned ecosystems within burn area), walk of the variability of landform and In three locations (that take account burnt. determine thepercentage of area with GPS, plot onParkInfo andthereby Map theboundaries of burnt areas vantage points,orfrom theair. vegetation burnt—from oneormore Visual estimation of percentage of Choose oneof these options: How to beassessed Priority assessment burnt. < 15%or>85 Not achieved: 70–85 %burnt. Or between 15–40% Partially achieved: 40–70 %burnt. Achieved: How to bereported

(in fire report) 1/05/13 10:47 AM 100 Southeast Queensland Bioregion Planned Burn Guidelines: Chapter 6—Coastal fringing forests and headlands Issue 1: Maintain health of fringing swamp she-oak forests