@article {bnh-6052,
	title = {Tree recruitment dynamics in fire-prone eucalypt savanna},
	journal = {Ecosphere},
	volume = {10},
	year = {2019},
	month = {03/2019},
	pages = {e02649},
	abstract = {<p>Savanna sites are idealized as exhibiting a demographic {\textquotedblleft}bottleneck{\textquotedblright} physiognomy comprising a lower stratum of abundant resprouting persistent {\textquotedblleft}juveniles{\textquotedblright} (albeit of indeterminate age), a mid-stratum comprising relatively few released {\textquotedblleft}saplings,{\textquotedblright} and a canopy-layer cohort of {\textquotedblleft}adults.{\textquotedblright} The magnitude and frequency of disturbance is considered to influence the critical transition from juvenile into adult phases. Under fire-prone Australian savanna conditions, an extensive suite of both observational and manipulative studies have explored the responses of tree recruitment to fire disturbances. These studies oftentimes have produced seemingly highly disparate responses, particularly with respect to the differential responses of relatively fast-growing eucalypts versus non-eucalypts under different fire regime, and overstory competition, conditions. This study contrasts the responses of tree recruitment height classes to (1) the effects of total canopy removal from severe Cyclone Monica in 2006 over a subsequent 10-yr period, (2) with observations from long-term monitoring sites under relatively stable overstory conditions at Litchfield National Park over a six-year period, (3) under ambient, frequent fire occurrence (mean \&gt; 0.5 fires/yr) at both locales including relatively severe late dry season fires. Recruitment at both study sites was represented mostly by resprouting, clonally reproducing juvenile trees \&lt;2 m tall, around half of which died over respective assessment periods. At post-cyclone assessment plots, there was substantial release of eucalypts, including within the first five years, into the \&gt;5 m height class, with negligible corresponding release of non-eucalypts. At Litchfield plots, there was negligible release of both eucalypts and non-eucalypts. In discussion, we contrast these results with findings from relevant regional studies. We contend that collective disparate observations feasibly can be reconciled as reflecting significant interactions between fire regime characteristics and variable site overstory competition effects, such that the rate of recruitment of fast-growing savanna eucalypt individuals into the midstory is relatively independent of the fire regime, but is significantly regulated by resource competition interactions especially with the overstory, whereas recruitment of non-eucalypts is relatively independent of overstory competitive effects, but is suppressed under fire regimes dominated by frequent, especially severe fires.</p>},
	keywords = {Australia; canopy competition; cyclone disturbance; density dependence; eucalypt; fire disturbance; fire regime; juveniles; recruitment dynamics; resprouts; saplings; savanna.},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2649},
	url = {https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ecs2.2649},
	author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Jay Evans and Harry MacDermott and Brocklehurst, Peter and Schatz, Jon and Erin Lynch and Yates, Cameron P. and Andrew C. Edwards}
}
@article {BF-2415,
	title = {Improving estimates of savanna burning emissions for greenhouse accounting in northern Australia: limitations, challenges, applications},
	journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire},
	volume = {18},
	year = {2009},
	month = {2009},
	pages = {1},
	abstract = {Although biomass burning of savannas is recognised as a major global source of greenhouse gas emissions, quantification remains problematic with resulting regional emissions estimates often differing markedly. Here we undertake a critical assessment of Australia{\textquoteright}s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGGI) savanna burning emissions methodology. We describe the methodology developed for, and results and associated uncertainties derived from, a landscape-scale emissions abatement project in fire-prone western Arnhem Land, northern Australia. The methodology incorporates (i) detailed fire history and vegetation structure and fuels type mapping derived from satellite imagery; (ii) field-based assessments of fuel load accumulation, burning efficiencies (patchiness, combustion efficiency, ash retention) and N : C composition; and (iii) application of standard, regionally derived emission factors. Importantly, this refined methodology differs from the NGGI by incorporation of fire seasonality and severity components, and substantial improvements in baseline data. We consider how the application of a fire management program aimed at shifting the seasonality of burning (from one currently dominated by extensive late dry season wildfires to one where strategic fire management is undertaken earlier in the year) can provide significant project-based emissions abatement. The approach has wider application to fire-prone savanna systems dominated by anthropogenic sources of ignition.},
	doi = {10.1071/WF08009},
	author = {Jeremy Russell-Smith and Murphy, Brett P. and Meyer, C.P. (Mick) and Garry D. Cook and Stefan Maier and Andrew C. Edwards and Schatz, Jon and Brocklehurst, Peter}
}
