SYDNEY, NOV 14 – More than half of Australia’s animal and plant species were wiped out following the country’s 2019-20 mega-fires, new research has found.
Research published by Deakin University in Nature regarding, analyzing the effects of bushfires Black Summer 2019-20 over 1,380 species of animals and plants found in Australia.
It found that 55 percent of species declined following fires – either because they became less abundant or occupied less habitat.
The 2019-2020 fires were among the worst in Australia’s history, affecting approximately 24.3 million hectares of land across the country, especially on the east coast, and causing 34 deaths from burns and hundreds more from smoke inhalation.
The new study also found that mammals were disproportionately affected by fires with average species declining twice as much as other animal groups.
However, the study also found that 44 percent of the species analyzed were more frequently found at post-disaster fire sites with increased numbers.
The report, compiled by more than 100 scientists, calls for a rethink of Australia’s current approach to fuel reduction burning.
Prescribed combustion or prescribed burning usually done across Australia in the run-up to the bushfire season to reduce flammable material such as plants, fallen branches, logs, leaves and bark.
Research has found that the practice can cause greater disruption to ecosystems when large fires occur. – Xinhua
