Bell-miner-associated dieback: an ecological perspective

Abstract

An interpretation of dieback within eucalypt forests might take account of (i) the consequences of the rapid evolutionary expansion of the eucalypt progenitor associated with continental drift; (ii) the nature of species patterns and pattern-environment relationships within the forests; (iii) the significance of stand structures and ecosystem processes in maintaining stable eucalypt forests; (iv) the destabilisation of forests and ecosystem processes associated with recurrent fires in the post-settlement period and the logging of the forests; and (v) specific site factors which may predispose disturbed ecosystems to decline, insect predation and dieback. Show more