It’s well know that fire plays a significant role in many of Victoria’s ecosystems and is an important factor in maintaining biodiversity over time.
Aus Eco Solutions trained and experienced staff implement ecological burning across a variety of habitats, however, most commonly amongst native grassland environments.
Native Grasslands benefit from ecological burning in a variety of ways including helping to increase native biodiversity by opening up inter-tussock space, burning can be used following herbicide treatments to reduce the weedy biomass, when preparing a site for an upcoming revegetation event, promotes germination of native dormant seed stock and is described by Morgan and Lunt (1999) as important part of Kangaroo grasses Themeda triandra life cycle. Weed control is a vital component to maximising the native biodiversity growth following a burn as the open ground is also an inviting environment for colonising weed species.
The following items must be considered when planning an ecological burn, no matter what the size.
Fire history
When considering an ecological burn, the floristic composition of the site should be investigated as species may indicate the past frequency of fire. The aim and outcomes of each burn must be clearly defined as in some cases where an increase in fire frequencies are needed for say, fuel reduction burns, these can have negative impacts on biodiversity. Many of the grassland reserves AES manage, our crews aim to burn 20% of each site annually to maintain a healthy system. We record burns on each site via reporting to clients and include GIS burn maps to visualise the progress through time.
Current natural regeneration
In particular cases ecological burning is needed to regenerate native grasses and the absence of fire can eventuate in the collapse of the native canopy. Kangaroo grass, Themeda triandra, seems to respond well to a five year burning cycle which provides sufficient regeneration of living plants and germination of the soil seed bank. When planning a burn natural regeneration is a key factor in determining the intensity of the fire needed to achieve positive results.
Fire frequency and timing
After considering the fire history and natural regeneration of a site, the fire frequency can be determined by combining the two. If your aim, for example, is to increase biodiversity of a Natural Temperate Grassland located in the Victorian Volcanic Plains and the site has had inconsistent episodic burning and low natural regeneration rates. Your best course of action would be to implement low intensity, mosaic in nature, Autumn burn, aimed at 20% of the total reserve. Burning in Autumn allows you to be confident that the Striped legless lizard is able to find refuge in the cracks in the soil, low intensity burns provide a more targeted approach of burning out patches of dead weedy biomass and burning in a mosaic pattern increases the potential of species diversity.
Firebreaks and fire suppression
Aus Eco Solutions maintain firebreak access tracks throughout native reserves via brush cutting and mowing, cut strategic fire breaks in for private customers and slash fire hazards for local councils. Our staff have the experience and equipment to develop and maintain strategic firebreaks for both residential and commercial situations. You can be assured that our crew have the identification skills to navigate through native vegetation without harming any significant species. We maintain firebreaks for clients such as Boral Property Group, SCT logistics, Vline, Moorabool Shire Council, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Eynesbury Development, DELWP and VicRoads.
Asset protection
Each site requires specific planning to ensure no damage is caused to any assets located on site. Both financial and environmental assets need to be protected whether that be a Vline station control box or a critically endangered Spiny Rice-flower. Following an site asset assessment steps will be followed to mitigate any risk of damage to each identified asset.
Burn plans
Aus Eco Solutions can provide you with a detailed burn plan including all state and local government notifications. The burn plan covers:
- Purpose
- Scope
- Considerations
- Site supervision
- Safe Operating Procedure
- Firebreaks
- Occupation Health and Safety
- Equipment
- Documentation
- Site specific prescribed burn plan
- Risk control Measures
- Burn operating checklist
Equipment
- 3000lt 4×4 water truck
- 600lt slip on quick spray firefighting unit
- 600lt slip on quick spray firefighting unit
- 500lt slip on quick spray firefighting unit
- 500lt slip on quick spray firefighting unit
- 400lt slip on quick spray firefighting unit
- 400lt slip on trailer firefighting unit
- 400lt slip on trailer firefighting unit
- 5 stihl brush cutters
- 5 firebug drip touches