Researchers report that overlaying data on recent and past fires in the Australian state of Victoria with ecosystem type, land use, and conservation values suggests that policy reforms in the context of climate, land use, and resource management should aim to reduce megafires, alter the mode of timber production, protect unburnt areas, restore repeatedly damaged ecosystems, and expand conservation areas, according to the authors.
Article #20-02269: "New spatial analyses of Australian wildfires highlight the need for new fire, resource, and conservation policies," by David B. Lindenmayer and Chris Taylor.
MEDIA CONTACT: David B. Lindenmayer, Australian National University, Canberra, AUSTRALIA; e-mail: david.lindenmayer@anu.edu.au
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences