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Forest recovery in NSW following 2019-20 wildfires and drought

23-Apr-2025

Researchers from Western Sydney University have investigated forest recovery after the megafires of 2019-20.

They found overall levels of tree mortality, topkill and seedling recruitment following the fires were similar to previous fire seasons, but the geographic extent of forest affected was far greater, leading to higher losses of trees at a regional scale. High levels of tree mortality and topkill were generally restricted to areas burnt at high or extreme severity, and were more likely for small and large trees, and trees with pre-existing injuries.

While the above-average rainfall after the fires likely boosted seedling numbers and tree regrowth, the compound impact of the preceding drought and 2019-20 fires may have led to demographic change to some forests, such as a shift toward mid- and smaller-sized trees.

Read More (in Project F4 Monitoring Impacts in Fire Affected Forestry Sites)