Environment Matters - August/Winter 2022

Get ready for bushfire When it comes to bushfire season… don’t wait until it’s too late! QFES have a quick and easy postcode checker to help determine if you live in a bushfire hotspot: Qfes.qld.gov.au/postcode-checker PREPARE BUILDINGS: clear roof and gutters of debris, maintain pumps and water systems, relocate flammable items away from your home PREPARE ACCESS: display your house number prominently PREPARE GARDENS: mow grass regularly, do regular garden clean ups PREPARE YOURSELF: keep a fully stocked first aid kit, have appropriate insurance, have an up to date Bushfire Survival Plan. Find more information at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/emergency

Native flora response to fire Fire is a delicate balance in Australian ecosystems. Burning too frequently, or not often enough, can endanger or eliminate plant species. A ‘beneficial’ fire interval may be five or 50 years, depending on the ecosystem.

Many of the first plants that appear after a fire, such as wattles (Acacias) and pea-flowering plants, have bacteria in the root nodules that convert nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form that can be used by plants. They rapidly rebuild the nitrogen supplies in the soil. Some plants hold their seeds in thick woody fruits or capsules.

The heat of fire helps open the capsules. The seeds land in the ash bed, which is high in nutrients needed for seedling growth. Fire helps clear thick undergrowth and opens the canopy for sunlight to reach the forest floor. It can also reduce some invasive weeds, allowing native species room to grow.

MANY PLANT SPECIES RELY ON FIRE TO REGENERATE OR REPRODUCE. Eucalyptus trees have ‘lignotubers’ at their base that sprout after fire. Many species have insulating bark with dormant buds called ‘epicormic shoots’ that sprout if the crown of the tree is damaged.

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