Dry Rainforest-Fire Interactions in the Apsley-Macleay Gorges: Implications for Management

Abstract

This thesis aims to identify and develop fire management strategies to assist in the conservation of the dry rainforest of the Apsley Macleay Gorges in northern New South Wales. While rainforest is generally recognised as an important resource for conservation, the subgroup of dry rainforest has not been subject to the same degree of research and documentation as have the more mesic varieties. However, it has been recognised that dry rainforest is a unique vegetation community and is particularly restricted in its distribution. Fire is regarded as a major threat to this rainforest type. For conservation purposes, more information about both the dry rainforest and its interaction with fire is required. From this increased knowledge base an informed fire management schedule, which takes into account both cost and expediency, can be developed to assist in the conservation of this community. The dry rainforest of the Apsley Macleay Gorges represents the most extensive area of this community type in N.S.W., yet it remains poorly conserved and has been the subject of only limited research. To date, research of this community has been restricted to studies undertaken by King (1980), Floyd (1983) and limited work by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. To correct this deficit several strategies were developed and are documented in this thesis. The first strategy involved convening a workshop of experts in the area of dry rainforest and fire ecology. This established the current state of knowledge. Interviews with the numerous land managers in the Gorges comprised the second strategy.This permitted the development of a picture of the fire history and current management practices undertaken in the area. The third strategy involved a broad-scale examination of the dry rainforest resource. This examination considered the distribution and ecological characteristics of individual dry rainforest patches.