POST-WILDFIRE LEAF PRODUCTION IN THE AUSTRALIAN SEAGRASS POSIDONIAAUSTRALIS

摘要

The effect of a nearby wildfire on Posidonia australis leaf production was examined through comparison with pre-fire values recorded the previous year and with control groups growing some distance from the fire. Post-fire leaf growth, leaf area and leaf width increased significantly over pre-fire levels measured the year before. Control groups showed no significant increases in these variables over the same time interval. The rapid, significant increase in post-fire leaf production suggests that, wildfires can have a major impact on summer P. australis growth, most likely through increasing nutrient availability.