FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Eucalyptus globulus | Bluegum Eucalyptus 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Most eucalyptus communities in Australia have evolved in the presence of
periodic fire [3].  Bluegum eucalyptus is highly flammable, but is
seldom killed by fire.  The bark catches fire readily, and deciduous
bark streamers and lichen epiphytes tend to carry fire into the canopy
and to disseminate fire ahead of the main front [3,7,8,50].  Other
features of bluegum eucalyptus that promote fire spread include heavy
litter fall, flammable oils in the foliage, and open crowns bearing
pendulous branches, which encourages maximum updraft [3,9].  Despite the
presence of volatile oils that produce a hot fire, leaves of bluegum
eucalyptus are classed as intermediate in their resistance to
combustion, and juvenile leaves are highly resistant to flaming [11].

Adaptations to fire include seedbanking, sprouting, and heat-resistant
seed capsules [3,7].  Seed capsules protect the seed for a critical
short period as the fire reaches the crowns; this protection delays
penetration of heat to the seeds.  Seeds were protected for about 4
minutes from a lethal rise in temperature when capsules were subjected
to a heat of 826 degrees Fahrenheit (440 deg C) [3].  Following all
types of fire, an accelerated seed shed occurs, even where crowns are
only subjected to heat scorch.
 


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Tree with adventitious-bud root crown/soboliferous species root sucker
   Ground residual colonizer (on-site, initial community)
   Crown residual colonizer (on-site, initial community)
   Initial-offsite colonizer (off-site, initial community)
   Secondary colonizer - off-site seed

Related categories for Species: Eucalyptus globulus | Bluegum Eucalyptus