While some eucalypts are hard to kill, climate change may test the ability of others to survive
Our two new studies suggest eucalypts are already adapting to drier conditions.
Eucalypt trees play a crucial role in Australian ecosystems, providing habitat for various animals and regulating forest dynamics. However, these trees face increasing threats from climate change and severe wildfires. A recent study examined the impact of the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires on eucalypt forests across eastern Australia.
The research found that large, old trees in wet forests were most affected by the fires, while forests at the dry edge of their natural range were at higher risk of being wiped out by future severe fires. The study also revealed that some resprouting species may not recover as expected due to complex factors like stem size, bark type, prior fire damage, and fire severity.
With climate change projections indicating more frequent and severe droughts followed by bushfires, eucalypt forests may face long-term challenges in regaining their structure and complexity.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
