The importance of fire in the success of a 15 hectare subtropical heathland translocation

Abstract

Fire is a key factor in the maintenance of many ecosystems; however, little is known on how it affects the success of translocated fire-dependent plant species and communities. Further, translocation success is currently limited, creating uncertainty around the effectiveness of translocations in mitigating the negative impacts of urbanisation on biodiversity. Translocation evaluations may improve future outcomes by providing vital information: therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term success of a large-scale subtropical heathland translocation as well as the impacts of a fire management regime eight years after it was completed. Original performance criteria and monitoring data combined with new site surveys were utilised to assess the ongoing success of the translocation. Specifically, the structure and composition of the heath vegetation and the population size and demographic structure of five specific threatened plant species were assessed. Results showed that translocation still met the performance criteria requirements and so can continue to be classed as a success. Fire played a key role in enabling the vegetation to meet the performance criteria by promoting regeneration of target species and maintaining community composition. This was likely supported by the immediate availability of seed through the preservation of the seedbank. Long-term success in translocated fire-dependent plant species and communities will depend largely on the application of appropriate fire regimes.