Warming climate could threaten regeneration after bushfires

Regeneration after bushfires could be compromised by climate change, new research shows. Scientists from the University of Tasmania’s School of Natural Sciences looked at how certain chemicals, produced by bushfires and crucial to stimulating new plant growth, respond to warming temperatures. In particular, researchers studied karrikins, which are among the most important group of chemicals which […]

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Mystery still surrounds origin of iconic button grass plains

Fifty years on, mystery still surrounds the origin of the iconic button grass plains of south west Tasmania. Situated across western Tasmania and occupying much of the World Heritage Area, ecologists and scientists have been divided for half a century over whether these landscapes naturally evolve or are created by fire management practices. “In 1968, […]

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Unique real-world experiment explores link between fire and herbivore activity

A real-world experiment drawing on the concept of renewal ecology to help explore the relationship between fire and herbivore activity in Tasmania’s Midlands will be carried out this month. Researchers from the University of Tasmania’s School of Natural Sciences, in collaboration with Bush Heritage Australia, will conduct a unique field experiment at Beaufront, a privately-owned […]

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