Impact of 2019-2020 mega-fires on Australian fauna habitat
Date
2020
Authors
Ward, Michelle
Tulloch, Ayesha
Radford, James Q.
Williams, Brooke
Reside, April E.
Macdonald, Stewart L.
Mayfield, Helen J.
Maron, Martine
Possingham, Hugh P
Vine, Samantha J.
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Nature Publishing Group
Abstract
Australia's 2019-2020 mega-fires were exacerbated by drought, anthropogenic climate change and existing land-use management. Here, using a combination of remotely sensed data and species distribution models, we found these fires burnt ~97,000 km2 of vegetation across southern and eastern Australia, which is considered habitat for 832 species of native vertebrate fauna. Seventy taxa had a substantial proportion (>30%) of habitat impacted; 21 of these were already listed as threatened with extinction. To avoid further species declines, Australia must urgently reassess the extinction vulnerability of fire-impacted species and assist the recovery of populations in both burnt and unburnt areas. Population recovery requires multipronged strategies aimed at ameliorating current and fire-induced threats, including proactively protecting unburnt habitats.
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Nature Ecology & Evolution
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Journal article
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2099-12-31
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