Climate and recent fire history affect fuel loads in Eucalyptus forests: Implications for fire management in a changing climate

▶ In this study, we used a 22-year dataset to examine the relative influence of climate and fire history on rates of litterfall and decomposition finding both were affected by temperature, recent rainfall and fire history variables. ▶ Repeated prescribed burning did reduce steady state fuel loads, with fuel loads reaching pre-burn levels within 3 years of a fire. ▶ Modelling fuel loads under predicted climate change scenarios for 2070 suggests that while fuel loads are reduced, the levels are not significantly lower than those recorded in the study.