Course overview
This course will analyse key issues in fire management in Australia's natural environment, with key consideration to the role of cultural burning. Fire in the natural environment; effects of fire on flora, fauna, ecosystems and human communities; combustion; fuel; fire behaviour; fire effects; European management of fire; traditional Aboriginal management of fire; cultural burning.
Course learning outcomes
- Describe the effects of fire on human and natural ecosystems and the management strategies used to plan for protection and prevention of fires.
- Predict fire behaviour under a variety of weather conditions.
- Evaluate the pros and cons of different types of burning regimes.
- Analyse fire risks, benefits and fuel conditions for a particular site.
- Reflect on the role of cultural burning as a contemporary fire management tool.