Litter Accumulation in Jarrah and Karri Forests

Abstract

SUMMARY Information on litter accumulation is necessary for planning prescribed burning and fire suppression in the jarrah and karri forests of Western Australia. This study related litter weight to time since the last prescribed bum and to density of the forest canopy. Neither time nor canopy cover alone were satisfactory predictors, but together they accounted for approximately 80 per cent of the variation in weight. There was no evidence of a levelling off in weight of accumulated litter after five or ten years, suggesting that decomposition was still relatively slow. The present results apply only to forests which have been burnt by mild prescribed fires. Rates of litter accumulation were faster in forest burnt by a severe summer fire.