The research conducted by The Australian National University and the University of Nottingham suggests that ancient cultural burning practices carried out by Indigenous Australians in southeastern Australia played a vital role in limiting fuel availability and preventing high intensity fires for thousands of years. The study, published in Science, found that as Indigenous populations increased in the area, the intensity of forest fires decreased over time. This highlights the importance of understanding the link between human-induced climate change and the projected increase in the frequency and intensity of forest fires for improved forest management and conservation in Australia.
Dr Simon Connor from ANU emphasized the significance of recognizing the impact of Indigenous cultural practices on shaping Australian landscapes over tens of thousands of years. The research revealed unexpected changes in the shrub layer of forests and woodlands, which crucially allowed flames to climb from the ground to the canopy, leading to high intensity fires. By reconstructing ancient landscapes across southeastern Australia using tiny fossils preserved in ancient sediment, the team was able to analyze how human activity has influenced levels of shrub cover in Australian landscapes over time.
Lead researcher Dr Michela Mariani explained that the expansion of Indigenous populations and an increase in cultural burning practices resulted in a 50% decrease in shrub cover, leading to a decline in high intensity fires. In contrast, following British colonization and extensive fire suppression, shrub cover in Australia has increased to the highest levels ever recorded, significantly increasing the risk of high intensity fires in the future. Dr Mariani stressed the importance of rekindling ancient cultural burning practices in collaboration with Traditional Owners to reduce the risk of catastrophic blazes and help manage Australia’s fire crisis.
The team’s analysis of ancient landscapes and archaeological data highlighted the significant impact of human activity on vegetation changes and fire dynamics in southeastern Australia over time. By focusing on the shrub layer, the researchers were able to identify the critical role this layer plays in facilitating the spread of fires from the ground to the canopy. The findings underscore the importance of considering Indigenous knowledge and practices in forest management and conservation strategies, particularly in the context of increasing fire risks due to climate change.
The research team’s collaboration involved researchers from the University of Melbourne, Monash University, and the University of Tasmania, underscoring the interdisciplinary nature of the study and its implications for understanding and addressing the complex dynamics of fire management in Australia. By integrating geological, ecological, and archaeological data, the researchers were able to paint a comprehensive picture of the historical impact of cultural burning practices on fire regimes in southeastern Australia. These findings have important implications for contemporary fire management strategies and the need to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and practices into forest management policies to mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the future.