Bushfires are as natural as the sun and rain, and have been part of the Australian landscape for millions of years.They have shaped the country’s landscape, history, and its eco-system. Australia’s environment has evolved with the existence of bushfires, so much so that some vegetation have developed characteristics that promote the spread of fire.
It’s unlikely we will ever be able to stop bushfires, and nor should we want to. Our natural fauna and flora have evolved with bushfires, and are somewhat dependent on their occurrence. They are so important to the health of our bush because:
- Nothing else produces the chemicals in the ash to stimulate new growth – or in the smoke to stimulate the flowering and regeneration of particular species.
- Nothing else produces the heat pulse that removes growth-inhibiting toxins in the litter, or opens tightly-closed fruits to release new seed, or penetrates deep into the soil to stimulate the germination of long-buried seed.
- Nothing else produces the succession of plant development to which our native fauna have adapted to meet their requirements for food, shelter and reproduction.
(CSIRO, 2008)
As the indigenous people of Australia have done for thousands of years prior, we must adapt to our surroundings and learn to coexist with this natural phenomenon. I’m sure we’re all aware of the immense and indescribable beauty of the Australian bush, but we have to keep it that way. This blog will provide a place for people to learn more about how they can live with bushfires, to accept their occurrence, and better prepare their property and families for the inevitable event of a bushfire.
Ignite Change 2014 