The sum of small parts: changing landscape fire regimes across multiple small landholdings in north-western Australia with collaborative fire management
Authors:Wysong, Michael Legge, Sarah Clark, Alex Maier, Stefan Cowell, Stuart Mackay, Grey
Volume:31
DOI:10.1071/WF21118
Published:2022
Document Type:Article
Abstract:Fire is a natural process in tropical savannas, but contemporary cycles of recurrent, extensive, severe fires threaten biodiversity and other values. In northern Australia, prescribed burning to reduce wildfire incidence is incentivised through a regulated emissions abatement program. However, only certain vegetation types are eligible; also, managers of small land parcels are disadvantaged by the program's transaction costs and interannual variability in management outcomes. Both impediments apply to landholders of the Dampier Peninsula, north-west Australia. Nevertheless, Indigenous rangers, pastoralists and other stakeholders have collaborated for 5 years to manage fire across their small holdings (300-2060 km(2)). We used remote sensing imagery to examine the project's performance against seven fire regime targets related to biodiversity, cultural and pastoral values. At the scale both of individual landholders and the entire Peninsula (18 500 km(2)), the project significantly reduced the extent of annual fire, high-severity fire, mid-late dry season fire, fire frequency and severe fire frequency. The project significantly increased the graininess of burnt and unburnt areas and the extent unburnt for 3+ years more than tripled. The project demonstrates that cross-tenure collaboration can overcome the challenges of managing fire on small land parcels. However, this project's sustainability depends on securing ongoing funding.
Author Information
Corresponding Author:Legge, S (通讯作者)，Charles Darwin Univ, Res Inst Environm & Livelihoods, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia.;Legge, S (通讯作者)，Australian Natl Univ, Fenner Sch Environm & Soc, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
Reprint Address:Legge, S (通讯作者)，Charles Darwin Univ, Res Inst Environm & Livelihoods, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia.;Legge, S (通讯作者)，Australian Natl Univ, Fenner Sch Environm & Soc, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
Addresses:[Wysong, Michael] Nyamba Buru Yawuru, Environm Serv Unit, 55 Reid Rd, Cable Beach, WA 6726, Australia; [Wysong, Michael; Legge, Sarah] Charles Darwin Univ, Res Inst Environm & Livelihoods, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia; [Legge, Sarah] Australian Natl Univ, Fenner Sch Environm & Soc, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; [Clark, Alex] Kimberley Land Council, 11 Gregory St, Broome, WA 6725, Australia; [Maier, Stefan] Charles Darwin Univ, Maitec, POB U19, Darwin, NT 0815, Australia; [Maier, Stefan] James Cook Univ, Sch Sci & Engn, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia; Lot 19-20,First St,POB 2145, Broome, WA 6725, Australia; Beagle Bay Community, POB 2145, Broome, WA 6725, Australia; [Cowell, Stuart] Conservat Management, POB 4650,Bathurst St, Hobart, Tas 7000, Australia; [Mackay, Grey] Land Alliance, POB 3223, Broome, WA 6725, Australia
E-mail Addresses:sarahmarialegge@gmail.com