DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 101 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 101 Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns 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 •

group but generally towards thelower endof that range. undertaken within thefire frequency recommended for thefire vegetation Wildfire mitigation zones: Planned burns within wildfire mitigation zones are maintain arelatively low fuel hazard. are carried out as soonas possible afterthey can carry afire inorder to Protection zones: Fuel management planned burns within protection zones trunks). sufficient to reduce elevated fuels and bark hazard (i.e. allow fire to run up a regime that will promote low in amoderate highseverity. to Following this initial burn, aimto reinstate fuels (e.g. whenfirst establishing aprotection zone) theinitial fire may result Low Protection zones: 90percent burnt. andoccasionally moderate. Where there is ahighfuel load orelevated severity planned burns. Severity should be 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 102 amount of fuel, good soil moisture is desirable to: Soil moisture: While theaimof hazard reduction burning is to reduce the during hazard reduction burns. Cloud cover may also beof use. moderate-severity burn. This will reduce thepotential impact oninfrastructure Relative humidity (RH):Burn during highrelative humidity to achieve alow to 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? • • • • Wind speed: <15km/hr DI (KBDI):80–100 GFDI: <11 will allow agood coverage of fire. extinguish the fire. Daytime conditions where overnight conditions will Season: Burn intheearly seasons dry

conditions). favour grasses over woody species (woody species create undesirable fuel reduce thelikelihood of awoody thicket developing post-fire minimise theimpact onhabitat trees, soils andotherenvironmental values reduce scorch height andlimit leaf-drop post-fire Western (drier)areas Wind speed: <23km/hr DI (KBDI):80–180 GFDI: <11 hazard inthe very late season. dry fire. Avoid periods of increasing fire enough to ensure agood coverage of Season: Burn whenconditions are dry Eastern (moister) areas 8/05/13 9:10 AM 102 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 103 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 103 Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns • • • 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? •

spread. (grasses, leaf litter, twigs etc), while minimising fire severity and rate of residence timeandreduction of available fuels, particularly fine fuels in continuous fuel. This tactic ensures thefire has agreater amount of result inamore complete coverage of anarea anda better consumption A low intensity backing fire is usually slow moving, andwill generally of both. prevailing wind ontheday, use eitherspot orstrip lighting oracombination promote alow intensity backing fire. Depending onavailable fuels andthe Commence lighting ontheleeward (smoky) edge to contain thefire and loads etc. throughout theburn dueto changes inweather conditions, topography, fuel will result inalower intensity fire. The spacing of the spots will regularly vary merge andcreate hot junction zones) while increased spacing between spots fuels. Spots closer together will result inalineof agreater intensity (as spots particularly where there is ahighaccumulation of available and volatile Spot ignitioncan beused effectively to alter thedesired intensity of afire zones with thepreviously lit backing fire creating higher- intensity junction windward edge as thefire edge. If theplanned burn area is narrow, use caution whenlighting the intensity, contain the smoky side first, thenspot light thewindward (clear) and beaware of environmental impacts that may result. To create higher intensity may berequired indiscontinuous orelevated fuel.Use with caution While alow intensity backing fire is recommended, arunning fire of ahigher

and thepotential of fire escaping through a spot-over.

intensity may increase whenthefire converges 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 104 Nick Smith, QPWS, Bulleringa National Park (2012). retaining alevel of patchiness leading to increased diversity. impeding wildfires later intheseason andmeeting conservation outcomes such as spaced incendiaries. Intheright conditions techniques such as this will assist in Targeting rank orstandover grasses through broad-scale aerial ignitionwith widely 8/05/13 9:10 AM 104 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 1: Hazard reduction (fuel management) burns DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 105 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 105 Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites • • Key indicators of Indigenous cultural heritage sites: Awareness of theenvironment preparation will these helpto places, identify items andissues. and Heritage Protection (EHP)European cultural heritage branch during fire strategy (DATSIMA) Indigenous cultural heritage branch andtheDepartment of Environment the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander andMulticultural Affairs will not bespecifically identifiedin text oron maps). Consulting Traditional Owners, to note that somelocations will beculturally sensitive andtherefore theirlocation management. The local fire strategy shouldthese locations identify (it is important sites, items andplaces of Indigenous orEuropean heritage whenplanning fire It is important to have knowledge of thelocation of significant cultural heritage Issue 2:Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites • • • • •

bundles, wrapped material orbones inside. Rock shelters, especially if they have rock paintings, stone tools, artefact debris scattered ontheground can indicate thepresence of shell middens. Raised mounds (especially with visible shell debris) orthepresence of shell The presence of burial sites. stories are identified. Natural features which have significant cultural meaning andare associated with The presence of trees that have beenscarred orcarved. scattered ontheground. Arrangements of stones orraised patterns earth ontheground, orartefacts Engravings ontrees orrock faces. (2004). David Cameron, DNRM bases. up around their to fire if fuel builds potentially vulnerable shelters) are or temporary containers, canoes, trees (e.g. to make such as scarred Indigenous markings 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 106 Unspecified location. David Cameron, DNRM, to smoke impacts. material vulnerable may contain cultural asthis such Caves Bribie Island (2005). David Cameron, DNRM, operations. vehicle ormachinery line construction or radiant heat, fire vulnerable from are potentially midden. Middens the presence of a usually indicates a mound structure ground or visible in strewn across the Shell material (2002). Atherton David Cameron, DNRM, significance. have cultural heritage arranged are likely to been purposefully that appear to have Rocks ontheground 8/05/13 9:10 AM 106 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 107 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 107 Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites • • • • • • • Key indicators of European cultural heritage sites:

Markers from early European explorers are located. Historic fence-lines remain. Survey andtrigpoints present. Military artefacts such as old equipment andused ammunition are found. such as winders (timber tramways) andtimberjinkers (timberliftingwagon). Forestry artefacts including marked trees (shield trees), andold machinery iron orwood). Quarries andold minesites (sometimes deepholes covered with corrugated dumps, old machinery andiron debris. stumps, old fence posts, old stock yards, tombstones, wells, graves, bottle Presence of building remains, corrugated iron shacks, wooden house Dogwood CreekDogwood (2005). David Cameron, DNRM, base of thetree. built uparound the has fuel if especially be vulnerable to fire on trees. These may plaques, andpaint sometimes left marks, European explorers Sometimes early 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 108 prior to implementing theburn. fuel reduction (e.g. raking) is required tactics, chipped lines ormechanical particular mild weather conditions, When planning burns, consider if burning ormechanical fuel reduction. wildfire through appropriate planned fire, andneed to beprotected from areas, these are often vulnerable to Because of theirlocation inforested from huts andfire towers). campsite remains (andotherruins this timberwinch, springboard trees, timber getting equipment such as site), road signs (andothersigns), shield trees (this onemarks anapiary significance including from the top left: items that are now of cultural heritage getting operations left anumberof In bushland areas, forestry andtimber David Cameron, DNRM, various locations. 8/05/13 9:10 AM 108 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 109 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 109 Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites • • • Discussion • • • • •

heritage place (e.g. fences orgravestones). the place that does not contain objects orareas related to thecultural management of aheritage place involve burning only thearea surrounding places onNPRSRestate (DERM2010a,2010b)which recommends fire Be aware of QPWS policy andprocedures Management of cultural heritage units. people are, refer to theDATSIMA and/orEHPcultural heritage coordination societies andcultural heritage If experts. you are unsure whotheappropriate people may include Traditional Owners, indigenous rangers, historical there is aduty of care to ensure appropriate people are involved. Appropriate When planning burns inandadjacent to sensitive cultural heritage places Cultural Heritage Act 2003(Queensland Government 2004). sites). Also refer to theDuty of Care Guidelines provided intheAboriginal coordination units of DATSIMA (for Indigenous sites) orEHP(for European the location orartefacts have consult beenreported, thecultural heritage in place andtreat thelocation with respect. If you are not sure whether Do notdisturb any cultural heritage site orartefact.Leave all materials shelters) use wind to direct smoke away from thesite. For sites that may beimpacted by smoke (e.g. rock paintings androck broader-scale planned burns. burnt edge by backing fire away from these locations. Use this tactic prior to For larger culturally significant sites it may benecessary to create asecure completely undisturbed. of these. If it is not necessary to reduce fuel it is preferable to leave thesite levels thoughmanual, mechanical, orherbicide means oracombination To manage impacts from flameand radiant heat, consider reducing fuel damage paintings). the surface of rock sites, art flame can crack or burn items andsmoke can contact with flames, radiant heat andsmoke (e.g. radiant heat can exfoliate The key risks to cultural heritage sites andartefacts from fire are direct artefacts andsites. spread andseverity of wildfires giving better protection to cultural heritage landscape proactively managed with mosaic burning will helplimit the Large scale wildfires are known to damage cultural heritage values. A 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 110 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS 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? significant. heritage cultural of item orsite No impact on Very high Measurable Measurable Highest objectives Priority significance. Planned burn required to maintain areas of special conservation values. within protection zones to protect life, property, andconservation Fuel management through the implementation of planned burns after fire. supporting photographs before and Visual inspection of site oritems with How to beassessed Priority assessment site oritem. was someimpact on Not Achieved: There on site oritem. Achieved: Noimpact How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:10 AM 110 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 111 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 111 Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites Landscape mosaic Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) Soil moisture: Ensure good soil moisture or radiant heat coming into contact with sensitive cultural heritage sites. Wind direction: Closely monitor thewind direction to avoid smoke, flameand/ Wind speed: <15km/hr DI (KBDI):80–120 GFDI: <18 FFDI: <11 Season: Favour early season burning andmoist conditions avoided. and following burns sothat undesirable conditions andweather changes can be When planning aburn it is important to beaware of weather predictions priorto What weather conditions should Iconsider? • • • Fire severity What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters

heritage artefacts andsites. hazard, limit thespread andseverity of wildfires andbetter protect cultural A landscape proactively managed with mosaic burning will helpreduce fuel vegetation group within theplanned burn area. Be guidedby thefire zoning plan and recommendations for the specific fire Low Burn within theparameters recommended for thefire vegetation group. -severity fires will be less likely to impact on cultural heritage sites. 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 112 • • 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? •

is preferable to leave thesite completely undisturbed. radiation. Only undertake manual fuel management if required, otherwise it away from thesite to limit potential impacts from smoke, flameandheat raking, clearing (e.g. rake-hoe line),trimming orleaf blowing of surface fuels sites), assess theneedfor manual reduction of fuel. This may include the planned burns near sites of cultural significance (e.g. scar trees and rock art be sufficient to protect cultural heritage items. However, prior to undertaking Manual fuel management. Usually, burning inappropriate conditions should edge. that may result. To create higherintensity, spot light thewindward (clear) or uncured fuels. Use with caution andbeaware of environmental impacts intensity may berequired initially where there is anaccumulation of surface While alow intensity backing fire is recommended, arunning fire of ahigher the chance of highseverity junction zones developing. as it will promote aslow moving andmanageable low severity fire andlimit next to asite of interest. Widely spaced spots are preferred inthis instance particularly where there is anaccumulation of available and volatile fuels Spot ignition.Can beused effectively to alter the desired intensity of afire 8/05/13 9:10 AM 112 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 113 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 113 Issue 2: Planned burning near sensitive cultural heritage sites Natural features such as springs andwaterholes can have significant meaning to Mark Parsons, QPWS, Fishers Creek (2010). Using spot ignitionandstill conditions directed smoke away from this rock site. art QPWS, Bulleringa National Park. Traditional Owners. A very highpriority should beplaced ontheircareful management. 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 114 • • • Key indicators Awareness of theenvironment become more difficult to reintroduce. process known as woody thickening. As woody thickening progresses, fires forests can become more closed andgrasslands can become woodlands; a competition andshading. If left unmanaged, thestructure of woodlands and other species may reduce thehealth anddiversity of theground layer through Petalostigma spp., gutta percha Excoecaria parvifolia, Gardenia vilhelmii, or Acaciaspp., spp. andinsomeareas currant bush Carissa lanceolata, quinine In theGulf Plains bioregion anoverabundance of Melaleuca Eucalyptus spp., Issue 3:Reduce overabundant saplings andseedlings Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, Bulleringa National Park (2009). unmanaged will shade out grasses. ironwood Erythrophleum chlorostachys has thickened inthemid-stratum andif left Woody thickening can occur where fires have beenabsent orinfrequent. This Cooktown

becoming difficult to seethrough. Overabundant young trees are inthemidstratum. The midstratum is trees are scattered. layer plants. It is not an issue if thearea affected is small orisolated or young Significant numbers of young trees are beginning to emerge above ground health, diversity andabundance dueto shading. Grasses are becoming scattered, otherground layer plants are declining in

8/05/13 9:10 AM 114 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 115 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 115 Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings This gutta percha has thickened dueto highgrazing pressure. leading to reduced fuels for Lana Little, QPWS, Staaten River National Park (2009). an area can assist indetermining if thickening is anissue. location it is infact anatural canopy. Understanding thepast land use andfire history of Sometimes trees such as thetooth brush Grevillea can appear to have thickened. Inthis Bernie English, DAFF, Croydon District (2008). planned burning. 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 116 • • Discussion • • • •

fire will help determine if thickening has become aproblem. areas. Knowing thefire history of anarea and individual species response to the fire vegetation group inwhich they occur is adequate to maintain these natural fire ecology cycle. Implementing fire management appropriate to In someareas, an abundance of someshrubs andtrees are partof the issue. this in assist competitive advantage. Spelling pasture for atimebefore andafterfire may ‘toxic’ plants such as somequininetrees allowing woody species the concentrating onregrowth grasses intherecently burnt areas andavoiding overabundant seedlings/saplings. This is compounded further by cattle grazing reduces fuel loads, preventing fires of sufficient severity to manage is combined with repeated early season burns oralack of fire. Stock Woody thickening becomes much more severe where heavy stock grazing and consider implementing aplanned burn as soonas conditions allow. observe areas where past management practices have caused thickening thickening where it already occurs. Following highrainfall events, carefully a problem. However, rainfall triggered seedling recruitment may compound been maintained orgrazing pressure is low, this does not usually result in most likely to occur during highrainfall years. Inareas where fires have For eucalypts andsomeacacias andothertrees, seedling recruitment is to kill them. timeframeshort (sometimes only asingle year) it may nolonger bepossible fire should beapplied as soon as fuel and conditions allow, as within a very may bekilled by fire. If seedlings are andappearobserved to bethickening a root stock. Seedlings are more vulnerable however andgiven sufficient fuel rather they will bereduced to below thegrassy layer andregenerate from Melaleuca andeucalypt saplings are unlikely to bekilled outright by fire; subsequent fires. kill rate andgermination of these species inorder to ascertain theneedfor to address theissue. Post fire observations are essential to monitor the have caused thickening, it is likely that more than onefire will be required fire. Where this has occurred inareas where past management practices stock can build up, which is likely to lead to amass germination event after Certain eucalypts can germinate enmasse. Intheabsence of fire, seed response to: An overabundance of saplings intheunderstorey may betriggered in • • •

thickening (dueto oneof theabove causes). a highrainfall event orsevere fire event which has exacerbated heavy grazing a lack of, oralong absence of fire 8/05/13 9:10 AM 116 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 117 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 117 Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings What is thepriority for this issue? Bernie English, DAFF, Near Mt Garnet (2008). that these trees resulted from flooding that occurred in early 2008. Fire management of young trees inaeucalypt community (December 2008).It may be Medium Priority High Low has beensignificantly disrupted. Planned burn inareas where ecosystem structure andfunction recoverable. Planned burn inareas where ecosystem health ispoorbut health isgood. Planned burns to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem Priority assessment 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 118 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 at least two of thefollowing 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 grassland. the size of Increase reduced. saplings are mid stratum > 75%of Measurable Measurable objectives woodland retreating. check if thegrassland is expanding/ points. Return to these locations to woodlands establish photo monitoring boundary of grasslands and At anumberof locations onthe components) scorched. overabundant saplings (above ground intensity), estimate thepercentage of variability of landform andlikely fire more transects (taking into account the Select oneormore sites orwalk oneor How to beassessed eventually kill trees. may berequired to over along period * anumberof fires expand. to retreat/woodland Grassland continues Not Achieved: change. Partially Achieved: No retreating. expanding/woodland Achieved: Grassland Not Achieved: <25%. 25–75 %. Partially Achieved: Achieved: >75%. How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:10 AM 118 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 119 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 119 Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings Fire severity (refer to relevant chapter for theseverity table): Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) Mosaic (area burnt within anindividual planned burn) Other considerations • • • • Residence time What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters • • • •

seedlings. recommended fire frequency for atime to manage overabundant saplings/ In somecases it may be sufficient to apply fires at the lower end of the outcomes until overabundant saplings/seedlings are controlled. More than oneplanned burn will berequired to manage this issue. Monitor As much of thearea dominated by midstratum saplings as possible. for somespecies, where fuel loads are available. base of overabundant saplings/seedlings are agood management technique Slower moving backing fires that create ahigh residence timearound the group beresumed (refer to relevant chapter). Once the area has recovered, the recommended regime for the fire vegetation create amoderate to high-severity fire. of newseedlings, follow-up planned burn as soonas enoughfuel builds to to ascertain theneedfor subsequent fires. If theinitial fire triggers a flush It is important to observepost fire germination, regeneration and kill rates A fire regime of repeated low-severity burns will exacerbate the issue. severity burns. as this will exhaust fuel andreduce opportunities for subsequent higher- necessary. Use high-severity fire with caution. Avoid lower-severity fire, Where young trees are taller than 1metre, ahigh-severity fire might be Moderate for most situations where young trees are less than 1metre tall. 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 120 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? low. Wind speed: <23km/hr. Winds > 15km/hrcan helpfire wherecarry fuels are GFDI: 8–18 laterburns intheseason that will helpaddress overabundant saplings. surrounding healthy areas will make it much easier to achieve higherseverity Season: Progressive burning through the year as conditions allow in What weather conditions should Iconsider? • •

reducing these overabundant seedlings/saplings. rate of spread are kept to aminimum.Greater residence timeis useful in amount of residence time at thebase of theplant, while fire intensity and backing fire (lit against the wind onthesmoky edge) ensures agreater A backing fire with good residence time.For somespecies aslow moving fuel. burns may berequired. Poorer soils will take alonger timeto accumulate carry through moist orinconsistent fuels. Inthis instance follow-up planned Line orstrip ignitionis used to create afire of higherintensity or to helpfire surface fuels dueto grazing orshading orif thethicket is well developed. intensity may berequired initially where there is alack of surface andnear largely dependant upontheheight of thesaplings. A While amoderate severity fire is recommended to address this issue, this is running fire of ahigher 8/05/13 9:10 AM 120 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 3: Reduce overabundant saplings and seedlings DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 121 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 121 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds shrubland/woodlands inwhich fires become difficult to reintroduce. native species, form dense thickets andeventually replace grasslands with Prickly acacia is particularly damaging to grasslands where it can shade out and is able to form dense stands. similar circumstances to parkinsonia but can also invade opengrasslands dry Vachellia farnesiana (also known as mimosa bush orprickly mimosa) grows in woodland creek anddry beds. making fire difficult to apply. It is usually found inriparian areas, floodplain Rubber vine has theability to smothertrees andshrubs andshade out grasses through displacement of native species, erosion andclogging of watercourses. and inwetlands, endangering many threatened species andcommunities Parkinsonia forms dense thickets particularly along water courses, floodplains assist inthecontrol of somespecies. indica is causing considerable concern dueto therapidity of its spread. Fire may mesquite Prosopis spp. are also found but are less common. NeemAzadirachta bioregion. Otherwoody weeds such as Chineeapple Ziziphus mauritianaand and prickly acacia Vachellia nilotica are common within theGulf Plains Vachellia farnesiana (sometimes known as prickly mimosa ormimosa bush) Rubber vine Issue 4:Reduce woody weeds Cryptostegia grandiflora , parkinsonia Parkinsonia aculeata, 8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 122 using fire orfire alone would be insufficient: Key indicators of woody weeds insituations where care should betaken in • • • • Key indicators of where woody weeds can bemanaged with fire: Awareness of theenvironment Kerensa McCallie, QPWS, 30kmeast of Hughenden (2011). to control thesaplings andseedlings. However fire is much less effective on mature plants. Prickly acacia is of particular concern to native grasslands. If detected early, fire can be used • • • • •

of control methods is required. Control of woody weeds can not beachieved using fire alone.A combination infrastructure. Woody weeds are within oradjacent to fire-sensitive cultural sites or There is arisk of fire outside the burn plot (e.g. spotting across a creek). limited. Woody weeds occur infire-sensitive vegetation andfire spread cannot be Woody weeds occur inareas of insufficient fuel to sustain fire. parkinsonia affected with parkinsonia dieback). as acontrol method(e.g. rubber vine is infected with rubber vine rust or Biocontrol agents may bepresent andincrease theeffectiveness of fire Grass fuel crumbles inthehand meaning it is sufficiently cured to fire.carry the occurrence of woody weeds. Grass orforbland fuels are still sufficiently continuous to firecarry despite in fire-sensitive vegetation. Woody weeds occur infire-adapted vegetation orfire extent canbelimited 8/05/13 9:10 AM 122 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 123 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 123 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds (2003). Moorrinya National Park Eleanor Collins, QPWS, Moorrinya National Park. control of parkinsonia on has beenput into the Considerable effort (2003). Moorrinya National Park Eleanor Collins, QPWS, Parkinsonia flowers.

8/05/13 9:10 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 124 has since beeneradicated. Prickly mimosa (mimosa bush) likes wetter sites such as this dam bank. This infestation Eleanor Collins, QPWS, Moorrinya National Park (2009). Upstart (2008). Barry Nolan, QPWS, Cape extent. produces fires of limited flammable gel. The gel aerial ignitionusing fire is not desired is success inareas where technique used with by ‘heli-torch’. One Rubber vinecontrol 8/05/13 9:10 AM 124 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 125 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 125 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds Results of successful rubber vine control inafloodplain eucalypt community. Thefire was • • • • • • Discussion Carly Greig, EHP, Finucane Island National Park (2010). intense enoughto kill mature rubber vine andsmaller trees.

treatment orincrease accessibility. backing fire into the woody weeds may reduce thearea requiring chemical chemical control could also beuseful where grasses abut aninfestation. A mechanical orchemical control may benecessary. Acombination of fire and In areas where rubber vine orparkinsonia have shaded out native grasses, the best chance of re-establishing. when thesoil is moist to allow native species, especially grasses andforbs, Planned burning inareas with woody weeds should always beconducted than mature plants. Young plants/seedlings of woody weeds are more easily controlled with fire much easier to control at early stages. Care needs to betaken infestations to identify of newweeds, as they are seeds surviveintheseedbank orplants resprout. is dependant onspecies). Follow-up fires may be required should some plants of somewoody weeds where sufficient fuel is available (success rate A single fire can be used to reduce oreliminate seeds, seedlings and young do socould result inworsening theexisting infestation. ensure accurate identification before trialing any control method.Failure to Many species of woody weeds appear similar andcare should betaken to 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 126 Rubber vine Parkinsonia • • • • • • • • •

a methodof control. previously have extinguished, which may increase theeffectiveness of fire as increase residence timeorcarry thefire through areas where it may allowing grasses to grow. If this fuel occurs adjacent to thestems it can the rust increases fuel depthbelow infected plants andopens thecanopy vine rust occurs. While rarely killing mature plants, leaf-drop caused by Using fire to control rubber vine is more successful in areas where rubber other areas have beenreported. See tactics below. In someareas this methodhas been very successful but mixed results in flammable petroleum based gel is applied directly to the plant thenignited. communities, inaccessible areas orwhere chemical use is not viable. The A ‘heli-torch’ can beused to control rubber vine infire-sensitive or infrequent (Mackey et 1996). al. of organic material inthesoil.It is restricted to areas where fires are absent Rubber vine is not restricted to disturbed vegetation andprefers agood layer species, andchemical control may beabetter option). these areas depending onfuel availability andlikely impacts onfire-sensitive use fire with care andlimit fire spread (it may not be possible to use fire in should beconsidered partof rubber vine control. But infire-sensitive areas Fire is known to be very successful inkilling rubber vine. Therefore fire be more susceptible to control with fire. through thesoil infecting nearby trees. Parkinsonia plants with dieback may of dieback. Inwell established areas of dieback, thefungus will spread Brown staining within thestems andbranches may also beagood indicator the tips of thebranches, with dead leaves remaining attached to theplant. Parkinsonia affected with thedieback will appear to bedying back from promote therapid spread of this pathogen amongst thesurviving plants. Where ‘parkinsonia dieback’ (asoil-borne fungus) is present, fire seems to the viability of seeds remaining suspended ontheplant. Fire will kill seeds onorclose to theground andhas beenshown to reduce (there is still much to learn about fire and parkinsonia). observations, as this information is useful to guidefuture fire management affected to varying degrees. When trialing fire to control parkinsonia, record Parkinsonia is broadly distributed within thebioregion with most areas tracks andshould bewashed down afterexposure. Fire vehicles andmachinery can aidseedspread along firelines roads and Be aware of weed hygiene issues whenburning inareas with woody weeds. fire in to these communities. sensitive communities. Dead plant material orhighseverity fire could draw Care should betaken using fire where fire-adapted communities abut fire- 8/05/13 9:11 AM 126 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 127 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 127 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds Mesquite Mimosa bush orprickly mimosa • • • Prickly acacia • •

pulled andallowed toout. dry sufficient fuel remains for fire to carry, orin areas that have first been chain- shrub-form species. It is more effective at low andmediumdensities where of mesquite Prosopis pallida, but can also beused inthecontrol of some Fire can beused to control mesquite, is most effective onthetree-form suggests it is also common onflats inthenorth-west. indicate it’s occurrence within thesoutherngulf. Anecdotal evidence information is available on its distribution. Records from theherbarium response to fire. Vachellia farnesiana is found within thebioregion but little layer andprevent dense infestations. Record observations of this species observations suggest repeated fire may keep this species low intheground from thebase, however little published studies are available. Anecdotal Fire may not beauseful control methodfor this species as it resprout’s management as seedlings andsaplings are much more susceptible to fire. from thebase. Early detection of aninfestation is thekey to successful particularly fire resistant. Where top kill has occurred they tend to resprout Prickly acacia seedlings are known to be fire killed however mature plants are fires inmesquite with ahigh fuel load remaining have beeneffective. Fires needto beof ahighseverity. DNRM(2003)found that late season dry following wet season and follow-up control may berequired. of 2cm; however seedlings from undamaged seeds may appear afterthe Fire can also assist indepleting thesoil seedbank by killing seeds to adepth 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 128 What is thepriority for this issue? Kerensa McCallie, QPWS, Chillagoe (2012). may quickly regrow. Like other woody weeds chinee apple, seedlings are susceptible to fire but mature plants Medium Priority High recoverable. Planned burn inareas where ecosystem health ispoorbut health isgood. Planned burns to maintain ecosystems inareas where ecosystem Priority assessment 8/05/13 9:11 AM 128 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 129 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 129 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds Choose from below as appropriate: 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 plants. or mature and young saplings seedlings, number of reduction in > 60% Measurable Measurable objectives weeds killed. estimate thepercentage of woody the flight path inthree locations and If using the‘heli-torch’ method,retrace Or been killed. saplings/seedlings/mature tree have after fire estimate what percentage of density within burn area), one year the variability of landform andweed three locations (that take account of conditions, oragrowing season): In suitable germination/ establishment Before andafter theburn (after

How to beassessed fire was too severe. the plants and yet the have killed most of good outcome if you *It is not necessarily a < 40%plants killed*. Not Achieved: killed*. 40–60 %plants Partially Achieved: plants killed*. Achieved: >60% How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 130 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable, refer to thecompendium of planned monitor thereduction in rubber vine. Photo monitoring points are established onFinucane Island National Park to 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 weeds. of woody abundance reduction in Significant • • • • • Victoria Protocol [Parks Victoria 1995]): using thefollowing criteria (from Parks define thedensity of theinfestation conditions andgrowing season): suitable germination/establishment Before andafter theburn (after option is given here. Protocol (Parks Victoria 1995).One Pest Plant Mapping andMonitoring publications such as theParks Victoria Seek advice from resource staff and/or

(or nearly so)of target weed. Dense (>75%)=monoculture cover. proportions of native to ¾weed Medium-dense (51–75%)=equal weed to native species. weed cover to equal proportions of Medium (25–50%cover) =1/4 abundance than target weed. species have much greater Light (5–24%cover) =Native plantsrare. very Rare (0–4%cover) = Target weed density gets worse. category orweed change indensity Not Achieved: No category’. ‘drops’ one‘density Weed infestation Partially Achieved: the fire). the fire to light after medium-dense before (e.g. goes from ‘density categories’ infestation ‘drops’ two Achieved: Weed 8/05/13 9:11 AM 130 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 131 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 131 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds Fire frequency /interval (refer to Appendix 2for adiscussion) Rubber vine can bedense inareas onBulleringa National Park. Notice thescrambling • • • • Key factors What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters QPWS, Bulleringa National Park (2010). tree, eventually killing it. nature of therubber vine as it reaches into thetree. Without control it will smotherthe

regime for thefire vegetation group. Continue monitoring the issue over time. remove theinfestation. Once resolved, re-instate therecommended fire the seedbank). Insomecases fires further may be required to completely control (e.g. mature plants have re-sprouted orseedlings emerged from Apply afollow upburn if theobservations indicate that theissue is not under the issue. vegetation group inwhich woody weeds occur may besufficient to control In somecases, applying therecommended fire frequency for thefire once aninfestation is detected to increase its effectiveness. vulnerable to fire. Planned burning should be conducted as soon as possible Seeds, seedlings andsaplings of most woody weeds are thelife stages most (to scorch plants). This is species dependant. fire is required to kill mature trees althoughseverity can also beimportant The principal factor insuccessful control is residence time. Slow-moving 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 132 have beenconducted at 30–40ºC and40–60percent humidity, following rain. humidity and30ºC).Inthesoutherngulf successful burns targeting rubber vine been achieved using low humidity andhightemperatures (e.g. 20percent Other considerations: Insomewestern areas, greater woody weed control has fire will carry). infestation (denser infestation may require somefanning by wind sothat the Wind speed: <23km/hr Variable depending onobjective anddensity of the DI (KBDI):80–180 GFDI: <20 Season: Early toandoccasionally middry late dry 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? • • Fire severity

weed occurs. within therecommendations for thefire vegetation group inwhich the woody in combination with highsoil moisture. Fire severity should generally remain a slow moving backing fire with good residence timeat the base of the plant, Low scorched may result inabetter kill rate for somespecies. A moderate highseverity to fire may be required to ensure the canopy is to moderate to . Inotherspecies best results have beenachieved utilising 8/05/13 9:11 AM 132 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 133 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 133 Issue 4: Reduce woody weeds • • • 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? • •

act as elevated fuels. to dead rubber vine plants which remain hanging inthecanopy as they may mechanical methods could beused. Care should be taken whenapplying fire out grasses limiting fuel available for fire, initial herbicide treatment or As partof acontrol program. Inareas where dense woody weeds shade of low fuel ordense thickets orincrease scorch of trees. A running fire of ahigherseverity may berequired to carry fire through areas sufficient to impedethe passage of later fires. breaks orearlier-season burning having established areas of lower fuel the first rains. Containment of storm burns relies onimpending rain, natural Storm burning. Burns undertaken inthestorm season around thetimeof rubber vine. has details of this andothersuccessfully used tactics for themanagement of lighting’ could possibly beused with caution. Etheridge Shire Council (2011) communities with dense infestations othertechniques such as ‘central not ignite while thewoody weeds areenoughto dry burn. Infire adapted between ensuring thesurrounding vegetation is moist enoughthat it will moist to wet to ensure the fire doesn’t spread. A balance will need to bemet sensitive areas. Inriparian areas thesurrounding vegetation needs to be aerial incendiary using gelled gasoline to ignite theplants directly infire Aerial incendiary with a‘heli-torch’ may helpcontrol theissue. This involves killing seeds, seedlings, young andsomemature plants. a greater residence timeat ground level andhas proven to besuccessful in with good soil moisture (andpresence of sufficient surface fuels), ensures in theunderstorey, aslow moving, low to moderate-severity backing fire A low to moderate severity backing fire. Where woody weeds are scattered 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 134 courses andutility easements. tend to occur as aresult of disturbance andspread along firelines, roads, water grass you are dealing with andwhat its fire response is prior to burning. They it can beeffective as partof acontrol program. It is important to know which While fire may not bea recommended management tool for somegrass species, can carry fire into fire-sensitive vegetation resulting in considerable damage. death andloss of habitat features with flow oneffects to species. Exotic grasses which leads to increased fire severity and spread. This results ingreater tree have theability to increase fuel loads, fire intensity, spotting andflameheight presence is detected early. Note: beonthelook out for newly forming stands; control is much easier if their Guinea hymenachne Hymenachne amplexicaulis cv. Olive concern. Otherhigh-biomass grasses considered emerging weeds are olive established inCape York, is climatically suited to theGulf Plains andaserious quadrivalvis. The latter two are currently present. Gamba grass, already well Cenchrus grass Andropogon buffel gayanus, andgrader ciliaris grass Themeda stands. High-biomass grasses of concern intheGulf Plains are gamba grass Exotic grasses are capable of outcompeting native species to form dominant Issue 5:Manage high-biomass grasses • • • • Key indicators Awareness of theenvironment

Lots of mass and/ordead material. Generally taller than native species. Presence of single species dominated stands. infestation. The presence of high-biomass grasses, usually occurring inadense Megathyrsus maximus and thatch grass Hyparrhenia rufa , para Urochloa mutica, . These grasses. These 8/05/13 9:11 AM 134 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 135 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 135 Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, Normanton (2011). A close upof theflowering head and clump mass of buffel grass. Jubilee Pocket (2011). Kerensa McCallie, QPWS, Grader grass seedhead. 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 136 • • Discussion • • • • •

and Fairfax 2003). with herbicide and insomeinstances grazing (Melzer andPorter2002;Butler margin. Othertechniques which may beeffective include slashing, spraying to burn away from thenon-target community andlimit edge effects onthe within thesite andinsurrounding areas by implementing appropriate tactics of fuel management. This may involve implementing mild or‘cool’ fires both fire sensitive communities) the aimof the land manager oftenbecomes one Once anarea has beenimpacted by invasive grasses (inparticular within firelines andshould be washed down after exposure. biomass grasses. Fire vehicles andmachinery can aidseedspread along Be aware of weed hygiene issues whenplanned burning in areas with high Queensland. fire and record themin ParkInfo ortheinformationreport to Biosecurity encouraged to record observations regarding these species’ response to ability of these grasses to invade which is still poorly understood. You are There is arelationship between fire timing, frequency andseverity andthe damaging to fire sensitive communities. just highbiomass grasses inmostly monospecific stands) is also potentially communities. Be aware that acombination of dense invasive grasses (not fragmentation of theextent and/orloss of apopulation, of fire sensitive causing theloss of mature trees. This contributes to thegradual decline and during conditions) dry carrying into thecanopy of thecommunity and sensitive communities andalso increase therisk of wildfires (particularly High biomass andotherinvasive grasses cause theprogressive loss of fire conditions which may favour its andfurther spread. promoted orkilled) andotherfactors such as fire severity typeand weather occur become familiar with theresponse of thegrass to fire (e.g. if it is Prior to undertaking planned burns inareas where highbiomass grasses with wildfire. conditions with planned fire is more desirable than allowing them to burn be considered. Insomesituations, burning highbiomass grasses under mild however therisk of wildfire later producing aneven higherseverity fire must due to thelikely increase infire severity andthepotential to promote them; In many cases, it is desirable to avoid burning highbiomass invasive grasses established. if theirpresence is detected andaddressed early before it has become biomass grass infestations (Melzer andPorter2002). Control is ofteneasier (e.g. roadsides) andareas adjacent to ordown stream from existing high in disturbed areas, particularly those where disturbance is ongoing Be onthelook out for newly forming stands andbeespecially vigilant 8/05/13 9:11 AM 136 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 137 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 137 Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses • • • Cenchrus grass Buffel ciliaris • • • •

up to two years to germinate. when sown onburnt ground. Grass seeds sown onunburnt ground can take Buffel grass is promoted further by fire as seeds germinate more quickly been observedto occur with increased grazing pressure (Eyre et 2009). al. creating adisturbance which favours its spread. The same phenomenonhas fuel loads andthus damage to remnant vegetation, at thesame time buffel grass and hot fires (Butler and Fairfax 2003), in which buffel increases ‘positive feedback’ loophas beendescribed for therelationship between Fire aloneis not known to beaneffective tool to manage buffel grass. A season wildfires. (Miller et 2010).It al. cures later season inthedry thus promoting late has theability to carry afire at much intervals shorter than native grasses conditions suitable for germination (e.g. good soil moisture). Buffel grass advantage over native grasses which lived areandrely shorter on The regenerative traits of Buffel grass means that it has acompetitive et 2010). al. conditions (e.g. consecutive years of above average summer rainfall) (Miller It may beslow to establish but will spread quickly afterfavourable seasonal may live upto 15–20 years), that has become widespread intheGulf Plains. Buffel grass is along-lived perennial invasive grass (individual tussocks year (e.g. earlier orlater intheseason). may provide theopportunity to conduct plan burns at differing times of the soil moisture andwhenbuffel grass is green andunlikely to carry afire. This consideration should begiven to burning adjacent areas whenthere is good grasses andtends to remain greener for longer periods of time.Careful The curing rate for buffel grass differs from that of native tussock compete with native species over time(Chamberlain 2003). it stores reserves at that time.Late summer fires may reduce its ability to At theendof thegrowing season, buffel grass is more susceptible to fire as height). it poses athreat by altering fuel dynamics (connectivity, biomass and Where buffel grass occurs within oradjacent to fire sensitive communities, in achieving alow severity burn. of alow germinate enmasse afterfire and rain. Any fire applied to buffel should be site will needto becontinued for sometimeas buffel grass will usually as spraying orgrazing. Be aware that follow upspraying of theaffected control measure, fire may assist in facilitating other control methods such The use of fire to control buffel grass is oftendebated. While not adirect severity. Using night time burns where moisture is highmay assist 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 138 Guinea andthatch grass grass Para • • • grass Grader • • • • • •

fire andencroachment into riparian zones. the season for a variety of reasons including therisk of creating highseverity If guinea grass must be burnt, timing is acritical factor. Avoid burning late in Post fire herbicide control has beeneffective but needs to beongoing. cover. through disturbance mechanisms andpossibly through reducing canopy grass. However, frequent fire (everyone to two years) promotes their spread Fire is not known to beaneffective tool to manage Guinea andthatch with post-fire chemical control of sucker shoots. season). Burning has beenfound to bemore effective if used incombination swales which have driedout (limited windows of opportunity inthelate biomass. Fire is more effective where thepara grass is within ephemeral of para grass plants andby temporarily removes thelarge bulk of para grass where it occurs inswamps anddrainage lines. Fire kills asmall proportion Fire can beused with partial success for themanagement of para grass Found inwetter areas such as sedgelands andsprings. Seedlings which germinate following fire should be sprayed with herbicide. be limited to >five years. If fire can not beavoided inareas of grader grass, the fire frequency should the burning will openuptheground layer andencourage seedgermination. the fire can beimplemented prior to annual seedset in late February/March, Fire is not considered to beaneffective tool to manage grader grass. Unless spread. can expose seedallowing favourable conditions for establishment and Grader grass is aweed of disturbance. Soil disturbance (e.g. road grading) can quickly take hold andensure they are dealt with as amatter of priority. catchments (but does occur elsewhere). Be aware of newinfestations which coast of about north Normanton andwithin theGilbert and Walsh River Grader grass has beenrecorded gulf inthenorthern plains adjacent to the 8/05/13 9:11 AM 138 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 139 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 139 Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses Buffel grass can recover quickly afterfire andoutcompete native grasses. Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, Cloncurry area (2012). grass will increase fire intensity andflame height, contributing to tree death. A buffel grass infestation inagidgee Acacia cambagei woodland. The presence of buffel Justine Douglas, QPWS, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park (2012). 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 140 its height anddistinctive reddish colour wheninfruit. Kerensa McCallie, QPWS, Jubilee Pocket (2012). severity whenburnt. Guinea grass is much taller than most native grass species andgreatly increases fire Mike Ahmet,QPWS, Blackbraes National Park (2008). Grader grass forming amonospecific stand amongst native grasses is easy to spot due to

8/05/13 9:11 AM 140 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 141 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 141 Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses Choose from below as appropriate: 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? the burn. the result of increased as hasnot grass invasive of Distribution Measurable Measurable objectives Priority High be considered. effects can bemanaged andthepotential for effective control can (particularly where it is anewinfestation) sothat theirnegative It is important to beaware of thepresence of invasive grasses species. post burn distribution of theweed photographs. Compare thepre and the invasive grass inthe area ortake conditions): GPS theboundary of suitable germination/ establishment Before andafter theburn (after How to beassessed Priority assessment invaded areas. fuel loads in thenewly weed; will increase in thespread of the Significant advance Not Achieved: change. controlled) orno into burn area; easily individuals spread loads (e.g. scattered not increase fuel distribution; will of weed species Minor expansion Partially Achieved: the weed. in thedistribution of Achieved: Noincrease How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 142 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable, refer to thecompendium of planned Varies depending onspecies, refer to thediscussion above. Fire parameters grasses donot recover theiroriginal density. continue to monitor thesite to ensure it is not promoted andto ensure invasive When using fire to reduce thedensity of invasive grasses, it is important to 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 to low.to communities non-target adjacent to of fuels Reduction locations. the remaining fuel inat least three assess visually to Go, to isReady Burn Burn Guidelines: How to Assess if Your 2010b), or Step 5of theQPWS Planned Assessment Guide(Hines et al. Post fire: use theOverall Fuel Hazard reduced to low. hazard has not been Not Achieved: Fuel low. has beenreduced to Achieved: Fuel hazard 8/05/13 9:11 AM 142 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 143 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 143 Issue 5: Manage high-biomass grasses • 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, use thesurrounding topography to from thenon-target community. Where thenon-target community is present afternoon orat night will assist increating alow severity fire that burns away the grass is green, under mild conditions, early morning with dew, late Undertaking burning inareas adjacent to invasive grass infestations while a low intensity backing fire that burns away from thenon-target community. community incombination with favourable weather conditions, to promote lighting patterns (e.g. spot lighting with matches) along themargin of the Limit fire encroachment into non-target communities. Use appropriate dense. reducing theopportunity for somegrasses to spread orbecome increasingly Fire exclusion. Insomecases it is possible to completely exclude fire, fire intensity. spread are kept to aminimum.Lighting fires at night can assist indecreasing available fuels, particularly fine fuels, while ensuring fire intensity and rate of ensures thefire has agreater amount of residence timeand reduction of coverage of anarea andabetter consumption of available fuels. This tactic (against thewind ordown slope) will generally result inamore complete A low intensity backing fire. Aslow moving, low intensity backing fire topography andfuel loads. spots may vary throughout theburn dueto changes inweather conditions, spacing between spots will result inalower intensity. The spacing of the fire, particularly where there is a high biomass grass infestation. Increased Spot ignition.Can beused effectively to alter the desired intensity of a effective methodof control. Similarly, grazing can also reduce fuel loads. grasses followed upby chemical control of thenewshoots has beenan As partof acontrol program. Aninitial fire to reduce the biomass of invasive 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 144 Awareness of theenvironment weeds orcyclone damage occurs. if successive years of highrainfall have promoted fuels, orwhere fire-promoting from them,can enhance theirprotection. Their vulnerability to fire is increased communities are vulnerable, thetactics presented here such as burning away as moisture orinternal micro-climates andlow fuel loads. But where these if fire is used under appropriately mild conditions and/ordue to factors such and somedune communities. These communities are sometimes self-protecting Non-target fire vegetation groups include spring, vine thicket, acacia, mangrove vegetation communities Issue 6:Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire Rod Fensham, Queensland Herbarium, Currajong. guidelines to avoid peat fire. standing water is present orpeat is waterlogged. Refer to Chapter 5: Springs, for Springs are particularly vulnerable to even low severity fire whenpeat is dry. Ensure • • • • Indicators of fire encroachment risk:

The non-target community is within oradjacent to aplanned burn area. The non-target community is upslope of aplanned burn area. Invasive grasses orwoody weeds are invading fire-sensitive communities. extinguishes ontheedge of thefire vegetation group. Conditions are not mild enough orfuels sufficiently sparse to ensure fire 8/05/13 9:11 AM 144 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 6: Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire vegetation communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 145 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 145 Issue 6: Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire vegetation communities • • • • 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 What is thepriority for this issue?

Very high Priority while retaining mature habitat trees. communities inorder to promote structurally complex ground andmid-strata fire orat least minimise thefrequency andintensity of fire in many riparian and hence anincrease inthefire hazard. It is highly desirable to exclude and soil erosion andlead to greater production of fine fuel (mainly grass) may openupthecanopy. This inturn may increase therisk of weed invasion inhibits thedevelopment of structurally complex ground andmid-strata, and species and/orhabitat trees. Too frequent and/orsevere fire removes or Many riparian communities contain of ahighproportion fire-sensitive Issue 5). areas. If highbiomass grasses are present, use fire with caution (refer to contribute to thecontraction of fire-sensitive communities such as riparian The presence of invasive grasses increases theseverity of fire and may tactics may not berequired. fire-sensitive communities tend to self protect and additional protective Under appropriate planned burn conditions with good soil moisture, some fire-sensitive communities. one of thebest ways to reduce impacts of unplanned fire onnon-target and scale management of surrounding fire-adapted areas with mosaic burning is damage non-target andfire-sensitive fire vegetation groups. Proactive broad- (high fuel loads dueto successive highrainfall years), it has the potential to Because wildfire oftenoccurs orotherwiseunder dry unsuitable conditions important to avoid encroachment of fire. For burn proposals inareas with non-target communities, it is Priority assessment 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 146 System orconsider formulating your own. burn objectives found inthemonitoring sectionof theQPWS Fire Management If theabove objectives are not suitable, refer to thecompendium of planned edge). well defined (if there is a into theedge one metre thanfurther penetrates no Fire group. vegetation target fire of non- of margin No scorch Measurable Measurable objectives the edge. penetrated than further onemetre into and determine whetherthefire has of themargin inthree locations) sections (e.g. a100metre long section target community, orrepresentative soon after): walk the margin of the non- After theburn (immediately or very Or the air. one ormore vantage points,orfrom soon after): visual assessment from After theburn (immediately or very of margin scorched. locations) andestimate thepercentage long sectionof themargin inthree representative sections (e.g. a100m of thenon-target community or very soonafter):walk themargin After theburn (immediately or Or the air. one ormore vantage points,orfrom percentage of margins scorched from soon after): visual estimation of After theburn (immediately or very How to beassessed the edge. than onemetre into penetrates further Not Achieved: Fire the edge. than onemetre into penetrates nofurther Achieved: Fire > 25%scorched. Not Achieved: < 25%scorched. Partially Achieved: Achieved: Noscorch. How to bereported (in fire report) 8/05/13 9:11 AM 146 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 6: Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire vegetation communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 147 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 147 Issue 6: Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire vegetation communities Landscape mosaic Mosaic (area burnt within anindividual planned burn) • • Fire severity vegetation group. The below characteristics apply to fires inareas adjacent to thenon-target fire What fire characteristics will help address this issue? Fire parameters Soil moisture: Refer to therelevant fire vegetation group. Wind speed: <15km/hr DI (KBDI):Refer to therelevant fire vegetation group FFDI: Refer to therelevant fire vegetation group 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? •

movement of unplanned fires into fire-sensitive communities. for thehigherendof therecommended mosaic, as this will helpmitigate the Use therecommended mosaic for thefire vegetation group being Aim burnt. tactics andmoisture conditions will helpto limit scorch of non-target areas. being burnt, ahigher-severity fire may be required, inwhich case appropriate help ensure good coverage. If there are overabundant saplings inthearea the objective of limited fire encroachment is achieved. A backing fire will A low on non-target andfire sensitive communities. mosaic burning is oneof thebest ways to reduce impacts of unplanned fire Proactive broad scale management of surrounding fire-adapted areas with -severity fire inthe adjacent fire-adapted community will help ensure 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 148 • • • 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? • • •

low-intensity backing fire that burns away from thenon-target community. patterns along themargin of the non-target community. This will promote a its boundary or it is upslope of a potential run of fire) use appropriate lighting (e.g. thenon-target community is tooto dry ensure fire will self-extinguish on down slope towards thenon-target community. If conditions are unsuitable surrounding topography to create alow intensity backing fire that travels target community is present inlow lying areas e.g. riparian system, use the Limit fire encroachment into non-target communities. Where thenon- moisture differentials. and generally self-extinguish dueto milder conditions overnight orhigher a low severity fire that may trickle along theedge of these communities communities undertaken late intheafternoon. This will assist with promoting Afternoon ignition—planned burning inareas adjacent to non-target spot orstrip lighting oracombination of both. available fuels andtheprevailing wind ontheday this may require either vegetation group to promote alow intensity backing fire. Depending on Commence lighting ontheleeward (smoky) edge of thenon-target fire communities. edge of low lying communities to protect margins when burning inadjacent Do not create arunning fire. Use low intensity perimeter burns from the Test burn mosaic across large areas. communities’ for specific guidelines on establishing and maintaining a Broad-scale fire management. Refer to tactics inChapter 1‘Eucalypt of interface to ensure non-target areas donot burn. 8/05/13 9:11 AM 148 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 6: Limit fire encroachment into non-target fire vegetation communities DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 149 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 149 Issue 7: Cyclones and severe storms • • • • The changed fuel conditions following acyclone orsevere storm may lead to: vegetation communities onhilltops andridges. ecosystem types, particularly heavily wooded forests andwoodlands and the Gulf Plains, cyclones andsevere storms may increase fire severity insome or allowing fires to acrosscarry areas which previously acted as fire breaks. In can also beexpected, increasing heavy fuel loads, impeding fire lineaccess limbs can beleft hanging in the canopy creating ladder fuel.Many fallen trees suspended above theground as leaves, fine leaf shred andbranches. Snapped event, thecanopy of trees andshrubs may bestripped, accumulating onor In theevent of asevere tropical cyclone (Category 3orhigher) severe storm Issue 7:Cyclones andsevere storms • • •

scorch) the needto restore canopy health stress priorto further (e.g. avoid canopy following acyclone altered fire behaviour during planned burning operations inthetwo years an increased fuel hazard near to assets andinfrastructure the potential for extensive orhighseverity wildfires to absent/silted fuels for atime. an inability to conduct planned burns orreduced wildfires insomeareas due forest closed opportunity to re-introduce fire into areas that have beentransitioning to certain periods dry fire-sensitive communities becoming vulnerable to fire encroachment during l Mount Is a Longreac h l Ca To irns wnsville l l Ma Ro ck ck ay hampto l n Bundaber l BRISBANE Gympie g l l l David Clark, QPWS (2011). bioregion. the Einasleigh Uplands area continued well into the destructive winds in February 2011.Note Coast Cassowary the Yasi which devastated caused by tropical cyclone region of wind damage Illustrating theextensive 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 150 Justine Douglas, QPWS, Blackbraes National Park (2011). with extensive damage to vegetation as indicated above. The impacts of cyclone Yasi (February 2011)were felt hundreds of kilometres inland 8/05/13 9:11 AM 150 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 7: Cyclones and severe storms DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 151 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 151 Issue 7: Cyclones and severe storms hanging down. Fires could burn into thetree canopy by way of thebroken tree branches that are Leasie Felderhof, Firescape PtyLtd, Blackbraes National Park (2011). cyclone) at Blackbraes National Park with heavy timberremaining aftertheburn. Open woodland damage by cyclonic winds. Alow intensity burn (five months post Leasie Felderhof, Firescape PtyLtd, Blackbraes National Park (2011). 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 152 • • • Discussion • • •

(Felderhof andPoon 2011). to protect against wildfire andmore intense fires to remove woody debris areas. Atrade-off is required between fires of low intensity to reduce fuel necessary however to reduce thespread of late season wildfires insome a numberof years for thefallen timberto beremoved. These burns are Early, low intensity burns may not ‘clean up thecountry’ andit will take conditions is thefollowing storm season. Also, they are less likely to stress canopy. The next best timeto utilise moist control andallow disorientated anddistressed fauna to find refuge areas. time. Such fires have good fuel consumption, are of low severity, easy to and humidconditions create slow moving, trickling fires with good residence The best timeto act onpost-cyclone fuel reduction is soonafterrain. Moist incursion may increase theheavy fuel load andresult ingreater wildfire risk. less tolerant of salt. Inareas, thecombined impact of wind andsalt water breach dunes andrush upwaterways andmay result inthedeath of plants inundate vegetation communities that are not salt tolerant. Storm surges can some periodaftertheevent.Inaddition storm surges during cyclones can the ground fuel beabsent following flooding, fires will beimpossible for recovery of theunderstory vegetation would Inany beprudent. case, should that ceasing orlimiting planned burning, at least for awhile, to enable fire guidelines following prolonged flooding are unavailable, it is thought silt deposition oralack of light andoxygen (Noble andMurphy 1975). While susceptible to prolonged flooding. Understory vegetation can be killed by The low, flat topography of much of theGulf Plains make the bioregion the chances of anintense fire front developing. are fallen trees andbranches inopencountry, but thewider spacing reduces chances of anintense fire front developing (Felderhof and Poon 2011). There is likely to behigherthan opencountry where wider spacing reduces the In heavily timbered areas, thewildfire hazard following cyclonic events avoided. the health of thecanopy is restored, fires which may impact themshould be impactsto further (such as canopy scorch), andmay lead to tree death. Until The canopy of trees damaged by severe cyclones is particularly susceptible management guidelines). impact onanalready stressed canopy (refer to Chapter 8,Issue 1,for fire of extensive wildfires inthe following season dry andarisk of fires that will planned burning. However, without afuel reduction strategy, there is arisk After asevere tropical cyclone, people may not naturally think about 8/05/13 9:11 AM 152 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 7: Cyclones and severe storms DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 153 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues 153 Issue 7: Cyclones and severe storms • • •

conditions. moister seasonal conditions are strategies to compensate for changed fuel conditionsdry andreviewing scheduled planned burns to make use of Strategic planned burning with highsoil moisture, avoiding burning in establish andthus halt or slow thetransitioning process. planned burning may allow seedlings of canopy trees such as eucalypts to light andbare soil to establish. Temporarily reducing theunderstory through Species found ineucalypt forest andwoodland inparticular needabundant of transition to closed forest communities through shrubortree invasion. into grasslands oropenforests andwoodlands which are inthelate stages In somelocations cyclones may provide arare opportunity to reintroduce fire suffered prolonged flooding. the expected distance dueto alack of understory fuels inareas which have wetlands). Conversely, fires may beof alower severity or unable to carry would not normally (e.g. over gullies, over streams, over firelines, and over change theway fire behaves. Fire will bemore severe and may wherecarry it suspended andaerated fuel, opencanopies andcontinuous fuel will areas. Be aware that increased finer fuels, native orinvasive grass cover, management can continue, but only afterre-assessment of planned burn post cyclone oreven afterasevere storm. It is likely programmed fire Expectations of how fire behaves inanormal year must be reconsidered 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 154 Paul Williams, Vegetation Management Science PtyLtd, near Garnett Mt. post Cyclone Yasi (2011). fences are intact is important. Open woodlands are also effected by cyclones. Ensuring fire breaks are cleared and 8/05/13 9:11 AM 154 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Chapter 8—Common issues Issue 7: Cyclones and severe storms DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 155

155 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Glossary of fire terminology (Primary source: Australasian Fire Authorities Council 2012). Glossary of fire terminology distribution Age-class Available fuel Aerial ignition Backing-fire Burn severity Terminology and five years ago) (refer to Figure 1). (e.g. 25percent of afire vegetation group burnt between one represented as aplot of areas (y-axis) versus age-class (x-axis) burning inachieving varied habitat conditions. This is usually fire ecology this is used to indicate thesuccess of mosaic class) of aparticular vegetation community afterfire. In The distribution of groups of similar aged vegetation (age- current orspecified conditions. of thetotalThe portion fuel that would actually burn under incendiary devices ormaterials from aircraft. The lighting of fine fuels for planned burning by dropping minimal. down slope, where the flame height andrate of spread is The partof afire which is burning back against thewind or levels of biomass orecological function. Relates to theamount of timenecessary to return to pre-fire Percentage (%) area 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 F i g 1- u 56 r e 1 -1 : 01 I d 1- e 02 16-2 15 a l i s e d a 1- g 53 31-3 25 e Definition - A c g l e a - s c s l a d s 6- s 54 41-4 40 i ( s y t e r a Vegeta i r b s ) u t i 6- ti o 55 51-5 50 on communit n ( c o n c e 5- p 56 61-6 60 y t o n l y ) 6- 70 8/05/13 9:11 AM scale Beaufort Duff layer Duff (DI) Drought index Drought temperature Dew point Char height Crown scorch BOM Terminology visible effects uponland objects orseas surface. • wind speed • Beaufort force (orBeaufort number) • equates to: and relies on visual indicators rather than instruments. It Navy. It is useful infire management to indicate wind speed the early nineteenth century by Admiral Beaufort of theRoyal A system of estimating wind andreporting speeds, invented in Refer to ‘humus layer’. vegetation. reflecting thedryness of soils, deepforest litter, logs andliving A numerical value (e.g. theByram-Keetch Drought Index), drought.shtml> information, refer to information, refer to

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157 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Glossary of fire terminology Fireline Fire interval Fire intensity Fire extent Fire frequency FFDI/FFDR Rating (FDR) Fire Danger Index (FDI)/ Fire Danger Fire behaviour Terminology avoid theperception that afire will stop at abreak. shortcomings it should beused inpreference to ‘firebreak’ to NOT fire breaks. Although theterm ‘fi reline’ is not without its control line(e.g. access track to acampground). Firelines are should (usually) have aprimary purpose otherthan that of a be used inthemanagement of afire. Permanent fi relines fire trails orcontrol lines) orenvironmental features that can Constructed ortreated lines/trails (sometimes referred to as events (refer to Appendix 2). number of years that anarea should beleft between fire expressed as arange indicating aminimumandmaximum community inthesame point of thelandscape. Often The interval between successive fires for a vegetation Byram fire-line intensity). units of kilowatts permetre of thefireline (also known as the The amount of energy released perunit lengthof fire front, in Refer to patchiness. in thesame point of thelandscape (refer to fire interval). The frequency of successive fires for a vegetation community Forest Fire Danger Index/Danger Rating. fuel moisture andwind speed. spread, orsuppression difficulty for specifi c combinations of A relative numberandrating denoting anevaluation of rate of and topography. The manner inwhich afire reacts to variables of fuel, weather Definition 8/05/13 9:11 AM zone’. management and ‘fire group’ vegetation ‘fire terms over the Clarification group (FRG) Fire regime Fire regime Fire perimeter Terminology requirements. P2, P3, WM1, WM2, etc) each with specific fi re management identified as fi re management subzones (FMSz) (e.g. P1, are anumberof these other zones within astrategy they are override fi theFVG re regime requirements. Further, if there reference) will have specific management objectives that sustainable production, rehabilitation, exclusion, and (e.g. protection, wildfire mitigation, special conservation, reflected infi re strategies. Otherfi re management zones identified intheBioregional Planned Burn Guidelines andare fire management requirements. Fire regimes for FVGsare (FVGs)—groups of related ecosystems that share common management zone are basedfi onthe re vegetation groups The fire management requirements within aconservation fire detailed alternative for use with fire strategies or inmapping. requirements. Fire regime groups are provided as amore groups to provide more detail about specific fi re management mosaic etc. These are asub-grouping of the fire vegetation management regime including season, severity, recommended A group of related ecosystems that share acommon fire and season of burning. or area including thefrequency, intensity, extent, severity, type The recommended use of fire for aparticular vegetation type The outer containment boundary in which fire is being applied. Protection Conservation Wildfire mitigation, etc Fire management zone Definition Fire management sub-zone or Fire vegetation group FVG2 FVG1 W2 W1 P2 P1 Fireline Fire interval Fire intensity Fire extent Fire frequency FFDI/FFDR Rating (FDR) Fire Danger Index (FDI)/ Fire Danger Fire behaviour Terminology avoid theperception that afire will stop at abreak. shortcomings it should beused inpreference to ‘firebreak’ to NOT fire breaks. Although theterm ‘fi reline’ is not without its control line(e.g. access track to acampground). Firelines are should (usually) have aprimary purpose otherthan that of a be used inthemanagement of afire. Permanent fi relines fire trails orcontrol lines) orenvironmental features that can Constructed ortreated lines/trails (sometimes referred to as events (refer to Appendix 2). number of years that anarea should beleft between fire expressed as arange indicating aminimumandmaximum community inthesame point of thelandscape. Often The interval between successive fires for a vegetation Byram fire-line intensity). units of kilowatts permetre of thefireline (also known as the The amount of energy released perunit lengthof fire front, in Refer to patchiness. in thesame point of thelandscape (refer to fire interval). The frequency of successive fires for a vegetation community Forest Fire Danger Index/Danger Rating. fuel moisture andwind speed. spread, orsuppression difficulty for specifi c combinations of A relative numberandrating denoting anevaluation of rate of and topography. The manner inwhich afire reacts to variables of fuel, weather Definition DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 158 zone’. management and ‘fire group’ vegetation ‘fire terms over the Clarification group (FRG) Fire regime Fire regime Fire perimeter Terminology requirements. P2, P3, WM1, WM2, etc) each with specific fi re management identified as fi re management subzones (FMSz) (e.g. P1, are anumberof these other zones within astrategy they are override fi theFVG re regime requirements. Further, if there reference) will have specific management objectives that sustainable production, rehabilitation, exclusion, and (e.g. protection, wildfire mitigation, special conservation, reflected infi re strategies. Otherfi re management zones identified intheBioregional Planned Burn Guidelines andare fire management requirements. Fire regimes for FVGsare (FVGs)—groups of related ecosystems that share common management zone are basedfi onthe re vegetation groups The fire management requirements within aconservation fire detailed alternative for use with fire strategies or inmapping. requirements. Fire regime groups are provided as amore groups to provide more detail about specific fi re management mosaic etc. These are asub-grouping of the fire vegetation management regime including season, severity, recommended A group of related ecosystems that share acommon fire and season of burning. or area including thefrequency, intensity, extent, severity, type The recommended use of fire for aparticular vegetation type The outer containment boundary in which fire is being applied. Wildfire mitigation, etc Protection Conservation Fire management zone Definition Fire management sub-zone or Fire vegetation group FVG2 FVG1 W2 W1 P2 P1 8/05/13 9:11 AM 158

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159 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Glossary of fire terminology GFDI/GFDR Grid ignition content Fuel moisture Fuel load Fuel hazard Fuel Flame height group (FVG) vegetation Fire Fire severity Fire season Terminology Grassland Fire Danger Index/Danger Rating. set at apredetermined grid-like spacing through anarea. A methodof lighting prescribed fires where ignitionpoints are of theoven weight dry of thefuel particle(%ODW). The water content of afuel particleexpressed as apercentage structure. does not describe how thefuel is arranged, norits state or expressed as tonnes perhectare. Aquantification of fuel load weightThe dry of combustible materials perarea, usually ignited. flammability andthediffi culty of suppression if fuel should be such factors as quantity, arrangement, current orpotential The condition of thefuel andtakes into consideration measured intonnes perhectare. which can beignited andsustains afire. Fuel is usually Any material such as grass, leaf litter andlive vegetation, ground level, excluding higherflares. The vertical distance between theaverage tipof theflame and management, these ecosystems are treated as agroup. management requirements. For thepurpose of practical fire A group of related ecosystems that share common fire fire intensity. vegetation mortality, soil alteration). Can beused to indicate immediately afterthefire (e.g. vegetation consumption, A measure of theeffect of fire on vegetation andsoil control. spread andcause sufficient damage to warrant organised fire The period(s)of the year during which fires are likely to occur, Definition 8/05/13 9:11 AM grasses grasses High biomass Mineral earth pioneers Mesophyll Litter pattern Lighting mosaic Landscape Index (KBDI) Drought Keetch-Byram Junction zone duff layer) Humus (or Terminology increase threat to life andproperty. • • increase biomass • can lead to decreased biodiversity • are generally taller than native species • native species to form dense mono-specific stands. They: Tend to beexotic species of grasses which can out-compete material. Being completely free of any vegetation orothercombustible establish inneighbouring communities. Large-leaved (12.5–20cm long) rainforest tree species able to layer of theforest floor). needles, little altered instructure by decomposition. (Thelitter dead sticks, branches, twigs, andrecently fallen leaves and The top layer of theforest floor composed of loose debris of burning operations, orindirect attack. The lighting pattern adopted by fire fi ghters during planned broader area. planning aseries of fires across abioregion areserve, or A mosaic burn at alandscape level, usually achieved by litter, andheavy fuels andexpressed as ascale from 0–203. A numerical value reflecting thedryness of soils, deepforest fronts (orflanks) burning towards oneanother. An area of greatly increased fire intensity caused by two fire floor, the original vegetative structures still being recognisable. The mat of partlydecomposed vegetation matter ontheforest increase fire severity Definition GFDI/GFDR Grid ignition content Fuel moisture Fuel load Fuel hazard Fuel Flame height group (FVG) vegetation Fire Fire severity Fire season Terminology Grassland Fire Danger Index/Danger Rating. set at apredetermined grid-like spacing through anarea. A methodof lighting prescribed fires where ignitionpoints are of theoven weight dry of thefuel particle(%ODW). The water content of afuel particleexpressed as apercentage structure. does not describe how thefuel is arranged, norits state or expressed as tonnes perhectare. Aquantification of fuel load weightThe dry of combustible materials perarea, usually ignited. flammability andthediffi culty of suppression if fuel should be such factors as quantity, arrangement, current orpotential The condition of thefuel andtakes into consideration measured intonnes perhectare. which can beignited andsustains afire. Fuel is usually Any material such as grass, leaf litter andlive vegetation, ground level, excluding higherflares. The vertical distance between theaverage tipof theflame and management, these ecosystems are treated as agroup. management requirements. For thepurpose of practical fire A group of related ecosystems that share common fire fire intensity. vegetation mortality, soil alteration). Can beused to indicate immediately afterthefire (e.g. vegetation consumption, A measure of theeffect of fire on vegetation andsoil control. spread andcause sufficient damage to warrant organised fire The period(s)of the year during which fires are likely to occur, Definition DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 160 grasses grasses High biomass Mineral earth pioneers Mesophyll Litter pattern Lighting mosaic Landscape Index (KBDI) Drought Keetch-Byram Junction zone duff layer) Humus (or Terminology increase threat to life andproperty. • • increase biomass • can lead to decreased biodiversity • are generally taller than native species • native species to form dense mono-specific stands. They: Tend to beexotic species of grasses which can out-compete material. Being completely free of any vegetation orothercombustible establish inneighbouring communities. Large-leaved (12.5–20cm long) rainforest tree species able to layer of theforest floor). needles, little altered instructure by decomposition. (Thelitter dead sticks, branches, twigs, andrecently fallen leaves and The top layer of theforest floor composed of loose debris of burning operations, orindirect attack. The lighting pattern adopted by fire fi ghters during planned broader area. planning aseries of fires across abioregion areserve, or A mosaic burn at alandscape level, usually achieved by litter, andheavy fuels andexpressed as ascale from 0–203. A numerical value reflecting thedryness of soils, deepforest fronts (orflanks) burning towards oneanother. An area of greatly increased fire intensity caused by two fire floor, the original vegetative structures still being recognisable. The mat of partlydecomposed vegetation matter ontheforest increase fire severity Definition 8/05/13 9:11 AM 160

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161 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Glossary of fire terminology Planned burn plants Perennial Patchiness species) regenerating seed (obligate seeders Obligate Mosaic burn Terminology ecological manipulation), andprotecting life andproperty. or production resources of thearea (e.g. reducing fire hazard, the purposes of managing thenatural and/orcultural and/ QPWS operations: afire that is deliberately andlegally lit for planned resource management objectives. Inthecontext of the time,intensity, andrate of spread required to attain environmental conditions to apre-determined area andat The controlled application of fire under specifi ed or growing continuously like many shrubs. dying back aftereach season as someherbaceous plants do, Plants that last for more than two growing seasons, either burnt). affected by fire (i.e. 20percent patchiness =80percent (grasses, herbs andtrees/shrubs less than onemetre) not A percentage of orproportion theground layer vegetation species. should beburnt inorder to avoid thelocal extinction of these the minimumfrequency with which a vegetation community seeders to mature andestablish aseedbank oftenindicates bank to regenerate. Infire ecology, thetimeit takes obligate Shrubs that are killed by fire andrely onsoil-stored seed burn andat alandscape level (refer to Appendix 2). variation infire regimes. This can occur within anindividual An approach which aims to create spatial andtemporal Definition 8/05/13 9:11 AM Testfi re Strip burning Scorch height humidity (RH) Relative spread (ROS) Rate of burning Progressive Terminology behaviour. A controlled fire of limited extent ignited to evaluate fire preceding strip bums out. and thenburning successively wider adjacent strips as the Setting fire to anarrow strip of fuel adjacent to afire-line plants are turned brown by theheat of afire. Is theheight to which former green leaves still suspended on vapour theaircan hold at that temperature. expressed as apercentage of themaximum amount of water The amount of water vapour inagiven volume of air, hour. specified partof thefi re perimeter, defi ned as metres per The forward progress perunit timeof thehead fire oranother 10 September 2011). good conditions for regeneration (Mick Blackman pers. comm., fire where rain can bereliably expected to follow; providing January, is auseful way to achieve intense, wind supported where climatic conditions allow, from December through to often favour woody species over grasses. Storm burning, season andfires will not go Fires out. conditions indry will of leaves oftencrosses natural water features. This is thedry burnt the year before. Falling leaf season, where ablanket will burn through thenight andwill extinguish within areas burnt the year before. Secondary burn season where fires self extinguishes overnight andwill not burn through areas The early burn periodfollowing seasonal heavy rain where fire wet tropics (this will vary from moister to drierclimatic areas): climatic conditions, there can beupto four seasons inthe behaves differently indifferent seasons. Depending onlocal unburnt areas, andseasonal variability. Be aware of how fire burning helps create arich mosaic of intensities, burnt/ the year. They also provide fauna refuge areas. Progressive can provide opportunistic barriers to fire for burning later in small ignitions creating a fine scale mosaic. These burnt areas early inthe year afterheavy seasonal rain, with numerous conditions allow. Queensland, Innorthern ignitioncan begin where ignitionis carried out throughout much of the year as Progressive burning is anapproach to planned burning Definition Planned burn plants Perennial Patchiness species) regenerating seed (obligate seeders Obligate Mosaic burn Terminology ecological manipulation), andprotecting life andproperty. or production resources of thearea (e.g. reducing fire hazard, the purposes of managing thenatural and/orcultural and/ QPWS operations: afire that is deliberately andlegally lit for planned resource management objectives. Inthecontext of the time,intensity, andrate of spread required to attain environmental conditions to apre-determined area andat The controlled application of fire under specifi ed or growing continuously like many shrubs. dying back aftereach season as someherbaceous plants do, Plants that last for more than two growing seasons, either burnt). affected by fire (i.e. 20percent patchiness =80percent (grasses, herbs andtrees/shrubs less than onemetre) not A percentage of orproportion theground layer vegetation species. should beburnt inorder to avoid thelocal extinction of these the minimumfrequency with which a vegetation community seeders to mature andestablish aseedbank oftenindicates bank to regenerate. Infire ecology, thetimeit takes obligate Shrubs that are killed by fire andrely onsoil-stored seed burn andat alandscape level (refer to Appendix 2). variation infire regimes. This can occur within anindividual An approach which aims to create spatial andtemporal Definition DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 162 Testfi re Strip burning Scorch height humidity (RH) Relative spread (ROS) Rate of burning Progressive Terminology behaviour. A controlled fire of limited extent ignited to evaluate fire preceding strip bums out. and thenburning successively wider adjacent strips as the Setting fire to anarrow strip of fuel adjacent to afire-line plants are turned brown by theheat of afire. Is theheight to which former green leaves still suspended on vapour theaircan hold at that temperature. expressed as apercentage of themaximum amount of water The amount of water vapour inagiven volume of air, hour. specified partof thefi re perimeter, defi ned as metres per The forward progress perunit timeof thehead fire oranother 10 September 2011). good conditions for regeneration (Mick Blackman pers. comm., fire where rain can bereliably expected to follow; providing January, is auseful way to achieve intense, wind supported where climatic conditions allow, from December through to often favour woody species over grasses. Storm burning, season andfires will not go Fires out. conditions indry will of leaves oftencrosses natural water features. This is thedry burnt the year before. Falling leaf season, where ablanket will burn through thenight andwill extinguish within areas burnt the year before. Secondary burn season where fires self extinguishes overnight andwill not burn through areas The early burn periodfollowing seasonal heavy rain where fire wet tropics (this will vary from moister to drierclimatic areas): climatic conditions, there can beupto four seasons inthe behaves differently indifferent seasons. Depending onlocal unburnt areas, andseasonal variability. Be aware of how fire burning helps create arich mosaic of intensities, burnt/ the year. They also provide fauna refuge areas. Progressive can provide opportunistic barriers to fire for burning later in small ignitions creating a fine scale mosaic. These burnt areas early inthe year afterheavy seasonal rain, with numerous conditions allow. Queensland, Innorthern ignitioncan begin where ignitionis carried out throughout much of the year as Progressive burning is anapproach to planned burning Definition 8/05/13 9:11 AM 162

Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Glossary of fire terminology DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 163

163 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: References Firescape Science,Atherton. Felderhof L andPoon L 2011,Post-cyclone Yasi wildfire mitigationproject, Journal, vol. 31,pp. 293–305. variables, andrelationship with grass, forb andreptile species’, TheRangeland Queensland’s semi-arid woodlands: response to local andlandscape scale Eyre TJ, Wang J, Venz MF, Chilcott C,and Whish G2009,‘Buffel grass in Council, Georgetown. Etheridge Shire Council 2011,Aerial ignitionoperationsEtheridge Shire guide , spp.) inAustralia, Queensland Government, Cloncurry. manual mesquite: control and management options for mesquite (Prosopis Department of Natural Resources andMines (DNRM)2003,Best practice Queensland Government, Brisbane. Procedural guide–Management ofcultural heritage places onQPWSestate Department of Environment andResource Management (DERM) 2010b, Queensland Government, Brisbane. Operational policy –Management ofcultural heritage places onQPWSestate, Department of Environment andResource Management (DERM) 2010a, culturalheritage values, Queensland Government, Brisbane. Conservation management profile: Great Artesian Basin spring wetlands – Department of Environment andResource Management (DERM) 2005, Brisbane. 2011, Calotrope (Calotropis procera) fact sheet, Queensland Government, Department of Employment, Economic Development andInnovation (DEEDI) Communities, Attorney Conservation Act 1999, Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Commonwealth of Australia 1999,Environment Protection and Biodiversity Chamberlin J2003,Transcript from, Nairana NRMworkshop National Park. Restoration, vol. 4,pp. 120–125. woodland: acase study from central Queensland’, Ecological Management and Butler DW andFairfax RJ2003, ‘Buffel grass andfire inagidgee andbrigalow terminology, Australasian Fire Authorities Council, Canberra. Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) 2012,Glossary ofrural fire References ‑ General’s Canberra. Department, , 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 164 pp. 228–238, viewed 9May 2012, . flooding on understory vegetation’, Castanea Noble RandMurphy PK term 1975,‘Short effects of prolonged backwater Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane. Queensland. Version 3.1,updated September 2005,Queensland Herbarium, for survey and mapping ofregional ecosystems and vegetation communities in Neldner VJ, Wilson BA, Thompson EJandDillewaard HA2005,Methodology support afire-invasion feedback?’ The Rangeland Journal, vol. 32, pp. 353–365. ( grass Miller G,Friedel M,Adam PandChewing V 2010,‘Ecological impacts of buffel unpublished work. on conservation reserves, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane, Melzer RandPorterG2002,Guidelines for the management ofbuffel grass Department of Natural Resources: Brisbane). M 1996,‘Rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora) inQueensland’, (Queensland Mackey AP, Carsten K,James P, March N,Noble K,Palmer B, Vitelli J,and Vitelli Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Journal, vol. 60,pp. 1-14. Lucas C 2010,‘Ondeveloping ahistorical fire weather data-set for Australia’, Territory,Northern Tropical SavannasCRC. Johnson A2001,NorthAustralian grassland fuel guide,Bushfires Council biodiversity ofacontinent, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. JE Williams andAMGill (eds.), Flammable Australia: the fire regimes and functional processes andbiological diversity’, pp. 351–372,inRABradstock, Hodgkinson K 2002,‘Fire regimes inAcacia wooded landscapes: effects on Environment, Victoria. report no. 82,Fire Management Branch, Department of Sustainability and assessment guide,4theditionJuly 2010,Fire andadaptive management Hines F, Tolhurst KG, Wilson AAGandMcCarthy GJ2010b,Overall fuel hazard Environment, Victoria. report no. 82.Fire Management Branch, Department of Sustainability and assessment guide,1st editionApril 2010,Fire andadaptive management Hines F, Tolhurst KG, Wilson AAGandMcCarthy GJ2010a,Fuel hazard Canberra. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane. parrot Psephotus chrysopterygius 2003–2007,Report to Environment Australia, Garnett ST andCrowley GM2002,Recovery plan for the golden-shouldered Cenchrus ciliaris L.)invasion incentral Australia –does field evidence vol. 40,no. 3(September, 1975), 8/05/13 9:11 AM 164

Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: References DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 165

165 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: References Service, Queensland Government, Brisbane. the Burra Range, White Mountains National Park. Queensland Parks and Wildlife survival, growth and maturing rates of two fire-killed shrubs and a resprouter of Williams P, Collins E,Anchen G,andKimlin S 2007,Contrasting seedling Biological Conservation, vol. 137,no. 1,pp. 90–101. influences the response of bird assemblages to fire in tropical savannas’, Valentine LE, Schwarzkopf L,Johnson CNand Grice AC 2007,‘Burning season bioregional ecosystems, Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland. Sattler Pand Williams R(eds.) 1999, Theconservation status of Queensland’s gov.au/register/p02186aa.pdf>. Brigalow Belt bioregion -anoverview’, viewed 6June 2011,

Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: References DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 167

167 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 1–List of regional ecosystems common fire management intent for the purpose of practical fire management. Afire vegetation group is agroup of related regional ecosystems that share Appendix 1:List of regional ecosystems Springs anddune communities Acacia communities Melaleuca communities Grasslands andsedgelands Eucalypt communities TOTAL Other bioregions Other areas Mangrove andsaltmarsh communities Vine thickets Fire vegetationgroup Hectares within Gulf Plains bioregion 10 007486 22 232102 1 406517 5 344469 4 395268 356 970 154 969 551 315 3 333 3 969 Percentage 0.01 0.02 100 24 20 45 8/05/13 9:11 AM 6 2 1 2 DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 168 1 2 Chapter 2 1 1 Issues

Grasslands and Eucalypt communities sedgelands Fire vegetation group Eucalypt communities Grasslands and Eucalypt community (tussock grass dominated) sedgelands (spinifex or shrub dominated) Fire regime group

Map label (if required) K17. NON RE groupings used: C13,D32,C33,D20,D34,D35,D41, 2.3.11g, 2.3.11h,2.3.11i,2.3.11k,2.3.11x1,2.3.11x40. 2.3.11bx1, 2.3.11bx2, 2.3.11c,2.3.11d,2.3.11e,2.3.11f, 2.3.10x40, 2.3.10x41,2.3.11,2.3.11a,2.3.11ax1,2.3.11b, 2.3.10x11, 2.3.10x11a,2.3.10x11b,2.3.10x12,2.3.10x13, 2.3.10, 2.3.10a,2.3.10b,2.3.10c,2.3.10d,2.3.10e,2.3.10f, 2.3.15, 2.3.17,2.3.17a,2.3.17b,2.3.17c,2.3.17d,2.3.17e, 2.3.33x4, 2.3.8,2.3.9,2.3.9b,2.3.9c,2.3.9d,2.3.9e, 2.9.3a, 2.9.7,2.9.7x1,2.9.7x2,2.9.7x90,2.3.33,2.3.33x3, 2.5.9x50b, 2.5.9x51,2.9.1x90,2.9.1x93,2.9.2x2,2.9.3, 2.5.6x10e, 2.5.6x10f, 2.5.7,2.5.8,2.5.9,2.5.9a,2.5.9x50, 2.5.6c, 2.5.6x1,2.5.6x10a,2.5.6x10b,2.5.6x10c,2.5.6x10d, 2.5.5x12, 2.5.5x13,2.5.5x14a,2.5.5x14b,2.5.6,2.5.6b, 2.5.2x4, 2.5.3b,2.5.4,2.5.5,2.5.5x11,2.5.5x11a,2.5.5x11b, 2.5.10, 2.5.12,2.5.12a,2.5.12b,2.5.12c,2.5.2x2,2.5.2x3, 2.5.1a, 2.5.1b,2.5.1c,2.5.1d,2.5.1x10,2.5.1x11,2.5.1x11b, 2.3.35, 2.3.37,2.3.5,2.3.6,2.3.6x1a,2.3.6x1b,2.5.1, 2.3.25x1, 2.3.25x2,2.3.25x3,2.3.26,2.3.26a,2.3.27, 2.3.23x1a, 2.3.23x1b,2.3.23x1c,2.3.25,2.3.25b,2.3.25c, 2.3.22, 2.3.22x11,2.3.22x11a,2.3.22x11b,2.3.23,2.3.23b, 2.3.21f, 2.3.21g,2.3.21x1,2.3.21x12,2.3.21x13,2.3.21x2, 2.3.18a, 2.3.21,2.3.21a,2.3.21b,2.3.21c,2.3.21d,2.3.21e, 2.3.20e, 2.3.20g,2.3.20h,2.3.20i,2.3.20j,2.10.3,2.3.14, 2.2.2, 2.3.19,2.3.20,2.3.20a,2.3.20b,2.3.20c,2.3.20d, J19. NON RE groupings used: D23,D50,D51,G3,H23,H28,J16, 2.10.2x12, 2.10.2x2,2.12.1,2.12.1x1,2.8.1. 2.10.2a, 2.10.2b,2.10.2c,2.10.2d,2.10.2x1,2.10.2x11, 2.7.3g, 2.7.3i,2.7.3x1,2.7.4,2.7.5,2.10.1,2.10.1a,2.10.2, 2.5.3, 2.5.3a,2.7.3,2.7.3b,2.7.3c,2.7.3d,2.7.3e,2.7.3f, 2.11.1b, 2.11.1c,2.5.11,2.5.11b,2.5.11c,2.5.11d,2.5.13, 2.10.4, 2.10.4b,2.10.4x1,2.10.4x2,2.10.7,2.11.1,2.11.1a, NON RE groupings used: G17. 2.3.34x32, 2.3.38. 2.3.1x30, 2.3.1x31,2.3.1x51,2.3.12,2.3.12x4, 2.3.34,2.3.34x31, 2.3.1, 2.3.1a,2.3.1b,2.3.1c,2.3.1e,2.3.1x2a, 2.3.1x2b,2.3.1x2c, 2.9.1x91, 2.9.2,2.9.3b,2.9.3d,2.3.32, 2.3.32x11,2.3.16,2.3.2, 2.3.4x50, 2.9.1,2.9.1a,2.9.1ax40,2.9.1ax42, 2.9.1ax43,2.9.1ax44, 2.3.4a, 2.3.4x40,2.3.4x41,2.3.4x41a, 2.3.4x42, 2.3.4x43,2.3.4x44, 2.2.2a, 2.2.2e,2.3.3,2.3.3a,2.3.3ax40, 2.3.3b,2.3.3x40,2.3.4, (Sattler and Williams 1999; Queensland Herbarium Regional ecosystems 2011a; 2011b). 8/05/13 9:11 AM 168

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169 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 1–List of regional ecosystems 6 4 5 3 Chapter 1 1 1 1 1 Issues

Springs and dune Springs and dune Acacia communities Melaleuca communities Vine thickets communities communities Fire vegetation group

Vine thickets Dune communities Springs Acacia communities Melaleuca communities Fire regime group

Map label (if required) 2.7.1x4, 2.9.1x92,2.9.6,2.9.6a,2.9.6b,2.9.6x40. 2.5.16, 2.5.16a,2.5.16b,2.5.16x40,2.7.1x3a,2.7.1x3b,2.7.1x3c, 2.3.29x2, 2.3.29x40,2.3.29x40a,2.3.29x40b,2.3.29x41,2.3.29x42, 2.5.15c, 2.5.15d,2.5.15e,2.5.15x2,2.5.15x7,2.3.29,2.3.29x1, 2.5.14a, 2.5.14x1,2.5.14x50,2.5.14x51,2.5.15,2.5.15a,2.5.15b, 2.3.28x17a, 2.3.28x17b,2.3.28x40,2.3.30,2.3.31,2.3.36,2.5.14, 2.3.28x1, 2.3.28x11,2.3.28x12,2.3.28x13,2.3.28x15,2.3.28x16, 2.3.28a, 2.3.28b,2.3.28c,2.3.28d,2.3.28e,2.3.28f, 2.3.28g, 2.3.24x12, 2.3.24x12c,2.3.24x13,2.3.24x2,2.3.24x2a,2.3.28, 2.10.6, 2.10.6x1,2.3.24,2.3.24a,2.3.24b,2.3.24x1,2.3.24x11, 2.3.39, 2.10.8,2.3.33x1,2.3.33x2. 2.9.4x1a, 2.9.4x1b,2.9.5. 2.9.4ax40, 2.9.4b,2.9.4c,2.9.4d,2.9.4dx40,2.9.4e,2.9.4f, 2.9.4x1, 2.7.2x3, 2.7.2x4,2.9.1b,2.9.1bx40, 2.9.1cx40, 2.9.4,2.9.4a, 2.7.2c, 2.7.2d,2.7.2x1,2.7.2x2,2.7.2x2a,2.7.2x2c,2.7.2x2d, 2.5.2x1, 2.7.1,2.7.1x1,2.7.1x2,2.7.1x2b,2.7.2,2.7.2a,2.7.2b, 2.10.5x1, 2.10.5x2,2.3.13,2.3.7,2.3.7a,2.3.7b,2.3.7c,2.5.2, 2.2.2b, 2.2.2c,2.2.2x1,2.3.18,2.3.18b,2.3.3c,2.10.5,2.10.5a, 2.2.2f, 2.9.3c. NON RE groupings used: B4. 2.2.1, 2.2.2d, (Sattler and Williams 1999; Queensland Herbarium Regional ecosystems 2011a; 2011b). 8/05/13 9:11 AM DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 170 where noregional ecosystem codes existed as of 2012. 18January Non-regional ecosystem (Veg 1) Queensland Herbarium codes were also used, Vegetation Communities and Regional Ecosystems layer (20August 2010).NOTE: of Queensland spatial layer (16 September 2011)andtheDraft Pre-clearing and Mapping of 2006Remnant Vegetation Communities andRegional Ecosystems RE’s listed below donot have any matching records in version 6.1of the Survey section indicates if theRE is not of amappable size orif it has beenmoved. The In theRegional Ecosystem Description Database (REDD)system, thecomments as asub-dominant RE within thespatial data ortheRE has not yet beenmapped. been moved’ (i.e. it has beenreclassified into anewRE code), theRE exists only spatial data. This may bebecause theRE is ‘not of amappable size’, theRE ‘has Some of theregional ecosystems (RE)listed above will not bematched inthe CRC Vegetation layer (refer to Figure 1). Ecosystems” layer (20August Australia 2010)andtheNorthern Tropical Savannas (16 September 2011),the“Draft Pre-clearing Vegetation Communities andRegional Remnant Vegetation Communities andRegional Ecosystems of Queensland” layer The spatial data is derived from version 6.1of the“SurveyandMapping of 2006 7 Chapter Unmatched regional 1 1

ecosystems Issues

Mangrove and saltmarsh communities Fire vegetation group

Saltmarsh Mangrove Fire regime group

Map label (if required) 2.8.1, 2.2.2d,2.3.31 2.1.1, 2.3.13,2.3.15,2.3.19,2.3.27, 2.3.30,2.3.5,2.3.8,2.5.8, NON RE groupings used: A3. 2.1.4 NON RE groupings used: A1. 2.1.2, 2.1.3,2.1.3b,2.1.1,2.3.1x1. (Sattler and Williams 1999; Queensland Herbarium Regional ecosystems 2011a; 2011b). 8/05/13 9:11 AM 170

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produce thespatial fire vegetation group mapping product. Figure 1:Map of Queensland indicating thedifferent GIS data sources used to DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 172 and theirfire management needs. supported by photographs to help you assess thehealth of theecosystems a healthy ecosystem. This planned burn guidelineprovides key indicators fire management needs to appropriately apply fire inaway that maintains important to learn to observethehealth of thecountry andto understand its recommended fire frequencies. Irrespective of monitoring andGIS tools it is track interms of maintaining anage class distribution andconforming to evolve it will become easier to evaluate if thefire vegetation groups are on As ParkInfo/geographic information systems (GIS)andmonitoring tools species might belost. ecosystem can beleft without fire before it begins to decline inhealth and second fire, andthemaximum fi re interval represents theamount of timean of timeit takes for each species to regenerate sufficiently to tolerate a This is relevant because theminimumfire interval represents theamount fire interval (e.g. 12 years) (refer to Figures 1–5). minimum fire interval (e.g. eight years), orless frequently than themaximum required) but generally not burning any single patch more frequently than the years. Inthis case theland manager would apply mosaic burning (as oftenas A fire strategy might recommend burning with afire interval of between 8–12 the fire interval as aformula for applying fire. Consider thefollowing example: recommended fire frequency. Note that it is acommon mistake to interpret The land manager should apply mosaic burning andbeguidedby the Both are important. management area) orcan refer to thearea burnt within anindividual fire event. fire vegetation group is targeted within agiven year (across abioregion or practice can apply to burning at alandscape scale—how much of aparticular stages of response from fire (Figures 1–5provide asimplified example). This the patches overlay to build amore complex mosaic of vegetation at various ignition patterns to create apatchwork of burnt andunburnt areas. Over time weather conditions, variation intopography, frequency, intensity, season and In practice, mosaic burning is achieved through theuse of appropriate particular food source andall ecological requirements inbetween. prefer opencountry, those that needdense vegetation orthepresence of a provide agreater range of habitats for plants andanimals including those that scales, amosaic of vegetation indifferent stages of post-fire response can and maximise diversity within fire-adapted vegetation communities. At various Mosaic burning is anapproach to planned burning which aims to maintain Appendix 2:Mosaic burning 8/05/13 9:11 AM 172

Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 2–Mosaic burning DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 173

173 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 2–Mosaic burning Figure 2:Planned mosaic burn—year 8. (Recommended fire interval for fi re vegetation group is eight–12 years). Figure 1:Example area between fireline andcreek burnt inawildfire—year 0. Fir eli ne

Cr eek

Bu rn t area

Previo us

bu rn

8/05/13 9:11 AM Figure 3:Planned mosaic burn—year 20. Figure 4:Planned mosaic burn—year 28. Figure 2:Planned mosaic burn—year 8. (Recommended fire interval for fi re vegetation group is eight–12 years). Figure 1:Example area between fireline andcreek burnt inawildfire—year 0. Fir eli ne

Cr eek

Bu rn t area

Previo us

bu rn

DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 174 Figure 4:Planned mosaic burn—year 28. Figure 3:Planned mosaic burn—year 20. 8/05/13 9:11 AM 174

Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 2–Mosaic burning DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 175

175 Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 2–Mosaic burning Wildfire andmosaic burn patterns overlaid (with years since last burnt). Figure 5:Fire history summary—year 28. 8/05/13 9:11 AM Wildfire andmosaic burn patterns overlaid (with years since last burnt). Figure 5:Fire history summary—year 28. DEPNP10065_bp2013_GULF PLAINS PBG D4.indd 176 8/05/13 9:11 AM 176

Gulf Plains Bioregion of Queensland: Appendix 2–Mosaic burning 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

www.nprsr.qld.gov.au

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