The soils and landforms of the northern jarrah forest

Churchward, H.M.; Dimmock, G. M.

doi:10.1007/978-94-009-3111-4_2

Cited by 47 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…It ranges from a tall, open, and dry sclerophyll forest in the north to a tall closed forest in the south (Dell and Havel 1989). The NJF harbours over 850 known vascular plant species (in addition to many unnamed) contributing to SWWA being one of the 35 global biodiversity hotspots (Mittermeier et al 2011 (Churchward and Dimmock 1989). The soils are some of the oldest on the planet.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Sudden forest canopy collapse corresponding with extreme drought and heat in a mediterranean-type eucalypt forest in southwestern Australia

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Drought and heat-induced forest dieback and mortality are emerging global concerns.Although Mediterranean-type forest (MTF) ecosystems are considered to be resilient to drought and other disturbances, we observed a sudden and unprecedented forest collapse in a MTF in Western Australia corresponding with record dry and heat conditions in 2010/2011.An aerial survey and subsequent field investigation were undertaken to examine: the incidence and severity of canopy dieback and stem mortality, associations between canopy health and stand-related factors as well as tree species response. Canopy mortality was found to be concentrated in distinct patches, representing 1.5% of the aerial sample (1,350 ha).Within these patches, 74% of all measured stems (> 1cm DBHOB) had dying or recently killed crowns, leading to 26% stem mortality six months following the collapse. Patches of canopy collapse were more densely stocked with the dominant species, Eucalyptus marginata, and lacked the prominent midstorey species Banksia grandis, compared to the surrounding forest. A differential response to the disturbance was observed among cooccurring tree species, which suggests contrasting strategies for coping with extreme water stress. These results suggest that MTFs, once thought to be resilient to climate change, are susceptible to sudden and severe forest collapse when key thresholds have been reached.

show abstract

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Sudden forest canopy collapse corresponding with extreme drought and heat in a mediterranean-type eucalypt forest in southwestern Australia

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…1), covers an area of 1 127 600 ha (Havel 1975), and ranges in form from a tall open and dry sclerophyll forest in the north to a tall closed forest in the south (Dell and Havel 1989 (Churchward and Dimmock 1989). The climate is Mediterranean-type, with cool wet winters and most (~80%) rainfall falling between April and October (Bates et al 2008) and a seasonal drought that may last from 4 to 7 months (Gentilli 1989).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

How drought-induced forest die-off alters microclimate and increases fuel loadings and fire potentials

Ruthrof

Fontaine

Matusick

et al. 2016

Int. J. Wildland Fire

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Forest die-offs associated with drought and heat have recently occurred across the globe, raising concern that associated changes in fuels and microclimate could link initial die-off disturbance to subsequent fire disturbance. Despite widespread concern, little empirical data exist. Following forest die-off in the Northern Jarrah Forest, south-western Australia, we quantified fuel dynamics and associated microclimate for die-off and control plots. Sixteen months post die-off, die-off plots had significantly increased 1-h fuels (11.8 vs 9.8 tonnes ha -1 ) but not larger fuel classes (10-h and 100-h fuels). Owing to stem mortality, die-off plots had significantly greater standing dead wood mass (100 vs 10 tonnes ha -1 ), visible sky (hemispherical images analysis: 31 vs 23%) and potential near-ground solar radiation input (measured as Direct Site Factor: 0.52 vs 0.34). Supplemental mid-summer microclimate measurements (temperature, relative humidity and wind speed) were combined with long-term climatic data and fuel load estimates to parameterise fire behaviour models. Fire spread rates were predicted to be 30% greater in die-off plots with relatively equal contributions from fuels and microclimate, highlighting need for operational consideration by fire managers. Our results underscore potential for drought-induced tree die-off to interact with subsequent fire under climate change.

show abstract

“…Intense and long-lasting weathering resulted in a nutrient poor, deep (up to 50 m to granite bedrock) lateritic profile (Dell and Havel 1989). The topography is undulating with uplands averaging in elevation between 280 and 320 m intersected by shallow and steep valleys up to 100 m below (Churchwood and Dimmock 1989). Uplands generally consist of shallow, sandy to gravely topsoil's (10-20 cm deep) overlying a rock lateritic duricrust (0.5-2 125 m) and underlying clays with a relatively high water storage capacity (Schofield et al 1989).…”

Section: Geologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Valley floors predominantly hold loams and sandy loams overlying clays. Granite bedrock frequently intersects these profiles across the NJF forming distinct rock outcrops within the landscape (Churchwood and Dimmock 1989 (Heddle et al 1980). The dominant tree species are highly adapted to the climatic and soil conditions in the NJF, utilising water from the deeper clays during the summer drought using sinker roots penetrating the lateritic duricrust (Abbott et al 1989;Dell and Havel 1989;Schofield et al 1989).…”

Section: Geologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Landscape-scale assessment of tree crown dieback following extreme drought and heat in a Mediterranean eucalypt forest ecosystem

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mediterranean regions are under increasing pressure from global climate changes. Many have experienced more frequent extreme weather events such as droughts and heatwaves, which have severe implications for the persistence of forest ecosystems. This study reports on a 5 landscape-scale assessment investigating potential associated factors of crown dieback in dominant tree species following an extreme dry and hot year/summer of 2010/11 in the Northern Jarrah Forest of Western Australia. Analyses focussed on the influence of (i) geology, (ii) topography, (iii) climate, and (iv) fire history. The results showed that trees on specific soils were more likely to show canopy dieback. Generally, trees on rocky soils with 10 low water holding capacity were found to be affected more frequently. Other explanatory factors identified that dieback occurred (i) on sites that were close to rock outcrops, (ii) in areas that received a slightly higher amount of annual rainfall compared to the surrounding landscape, (iii) on sites at high elevations and (vi) on steep slopes, and (v) in areas that were generally slightly warmer than their surroundings. These results expand our understanding of

show abstract

The soils and landforms of the northern jarrah forest

Cited by 47 publications

References 4 publications

Sudden forest canopy collapse corresponding with extreme drought and heat in a mediterranean-type eucalypt forest in southwestern Australia

Sudden forest canopy collapse corresponding with extreme drought and heat in a mediterranean-type eucalypt forest in southwestern Australia

How drought-induced forest die-off alters microclimate and increases fuel loadings and fire potentials

Landscape-scale assessment of tree crown dieback following extreme drought and heat in a Mediterranean eucalypt forest ecosystem

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About