Combustion temperatures and nutrient transfers when grasstrees burn

In conclusion, the foliage of grasstrees is a significant repository of mineral nutrients and is almost completely incinerated by fire. Nevertheless, grasstrees are able to recover from fire as the apical meristem is well-protected from the heat. Less than half the store of nutrients is usually returned to the soil while more than half may be transferred to the atmosphere, representing a major source of nutrient loss from fire-impacted ecosystems. Longer intervals between fires may result in greater export of P from ecosystems already low in available P when fire does occur. The disparate effects of different fire intervals on ecosystem nutrient dynamics needs to be recognized in management of fire-prone vegetation.