EFFECT OF FIRES ON REGENERATION OF LEGUMINOUS SPECIES IN THE NORTHERN JARRAH (EUCALYPTUS, MARGINATA SM) FOREST OF WESTERN-AUSTRALIA

In the northern dry sclerophyll jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Sm.) forests of South‐west of Western Australia abundant germination of soil‐stored seed of leguminous species commonly occurs following wildfire. Broad scale regeneration of legumes does not occur following normal low to moderate intensity prescription burning. Regeneration of leguminous species has been achieved on several sites by high intensity prescription burning without significant damage to the boles of crop trees. Leguminous seed is redistributed both vertically and horizontally by ants following seed‐fall. The bulk of the seed occurs at depths at which there is no heat pre‐treatment during normal prescription burns. Promotion of native legume species by modification of prescription burning techniques could be used to improve the health of the forest. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved