Ash forests rise and rise again

A new book that graphically documents the spectacular natural recovery of Victoria's ash forests after the Black Saturday bushfires also argues that wildfires are typical natural disturbances in these environments. Co-authored by researchers from The Australian National University, Forest Phoenix combines stunning colour photography of the ash forests? natural regeneration with scientific explanations of the many complex post-fire recovery strategies used by plants and animals. Lead author, Professor David Lindenmayer, who has studied the ash forests for nearly three decades, said better knowledge of fire ecology is essential. 'Understanding of how forests respond after fire matters, because fire is a key ecological process in almost all Australian landscapes,' said Professor Lindenmayer. ?In fact high severity fire is quite normal for environments like the Victorian ash forests. 'It is a common misconception that everything is burnt in large wildfires and that nothing remains afterwards. Yet contrary to the first impressions of total annihilation the forests are rising from the ashes,' he said.