Fire is pivotal to the functioning of Australian ecosystems. This course explores a range of important themes concerning bushfires in Australian and international environments. The inter-dependent relationship between fire regimes and biota is explored using evidence from experiments and theory. Techniques for measuring and modelling fire regimes, including dendrochronology, charcoal sampling and landscape simulation, are then investigated. These are used to understand fire regimes of the past, present and future, including during pre-human, Aboriginal, and European eras. The sensitivity of fire regimes to natural and human factors provides context for exploring the likely effects of climate change and other aspects of global change on future bushfire occurrence. Similarly, it provides context for understanding the role of bushfire management, including prescribed burning, in modifying fire regimes. Finally, these themes are brought together with an analysis of integrated bushfire risk management. Key components of the course are insights into ongoing research being undertaken in The Fenner School, the Bushfire CRC, CSIRO, University of Wollongong, Australian Institute of Criminology and an international network of GCTE scientists.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Explain the pivotal importance of fire regimes for Australian landscapes and their management, including the importance of fire regimes of the past, present and future during pre-human, Aboriginal and European eras
2. Explain methods for measuring and modelling fire regimes, including dendrochronology, charcoal sampling and landscape simulation
3. Explain how the sensitivity of fire regimes to natural and human factors provides a context for exploring the likely effects of climate change and other aspects of global change on the future occurrence of bushfires
4. Apply the principles of integrated bushfire management
5. Acquire, demonstrate and generate knowledge on bushfire dynamics, effects, measurement and management

Students must submit two laboratory sheets and attend 80% of reading discussion groups to attain a final grade. Assessment will be based on:

• One-hour mid-block examination on measurement and biological significance of past, present and future fire regimes in Australian and overseas environments (20%; LO 1, 2, 5)
• 2000-word practical report, either constructing computer simulation model of plant dynamics subject to recurrent fire or analysis of data from a long-term fire ecology experiment (35%; LO 2, 3, 4)
• Two and a half hour final examination on: significance, measurement and modelling of fire regimes; climate change and management impacts on bushfire dynamics; and integrated bushfire risk management in Australian and overseas environments (45%; LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Summer session (1-12 February 2010)

65 contact hours taught as a two-week block course, comprising lectures, practicals and field excursions

Bradstock, RA, Williams, JE & Gill, AM (Eds) (2002) Flammable Australia: The Fire Regimes and Biodiversity of a Continent, Cambridge University Press.