Human-induced climate change has led to an increasing incidence of megafires globally. These fires have caused massive plant and animal mortality, shifted the composition of species in ecosystems, and driven vast areas of vegetation into highly vulnerable states. This has led to calls for bushfire management strategies to support better ecological outcomes.

The array of potential strategies for bushfire management that could deliver these outcomes is diverse and the capacity to manipulate ecosystems is varied. As such, successful bushfire management hinges on being able to estimate the outcomes of alternative strategies and measure their potential for delivering benefits. This presentation provides an overview of the application of fire ecology science in bushfire management in Victoria, a description of the technical capabilities and programs, and the view for the next five years of advancements in the field.

About the Speaker:

Dr Simon Watson is the Principal Scientist (Forest and Fire Ecology) for‪@DEECAVictoria‬. Simon joined the Department in 2018, after 12 years as a researcher in academia. Over these 17 years, Simon has contributed an extensive body of research investigating the effects of fire on biodiversity and conservation of species. His work within the Department aims to ensure that the Victoria’s bushfire management is informed by the best available scientific evidence.

Produced by the Royal Society of Victoria for "The Future of Victoria's Native Forests: A Public Symposium" with the support of the Alluvium Foundation. The symposium was delivered in partnership with the Alluvium Foundation, Friends of the Earth Melbourne and the Victorian National Parks Association.