Publication (Media): Cotter River catchment should survive its trial by fire
| Publication Type: | Media Release |
| Publication Name: | Cotter River catchment should survive its trial by fire |
Reference Information
| Ogden, R., Dyer, F. and Norris, R.H. (2003) Cotter River catchment should survive its trial by fire - Feb 18 2003, CRCFE, Canberra - Media Release. |
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Other information:
Cotter River catchment should survive its trial by fire
In spite of the drought, recovery is beginning in the Cotter River catchment after the January fires that burnt so much of the Brindabella Range in ACT. Some trees near the river are putting out green shoots, and birds or the occasional wallaby can be spotted, researchers found last Friday.
Dr Fiona Dyer and Ms Katarina Jonson of the CRC for Freshwater Ecology and the University of Canberra report that much of the undergrowth and tree litter has been burnt to the ground near Vanities Crossing, leaving streams and hillslopes exposed. In places the heat was so intense that it fractured rocks at the edges of channels and in exposed parts of the stream-bed.
But in-stream grasses are sending up new shoots already and the burnt eucalypts are making a recovery.
The burn has been patchy, leaving trees untouched in some parts of the catchment.
Some members of the research team have inspected the whole Cotter River valley from the air. Associate Professor Richard Norris and Mr Tom Nelson say that several areas of bush have been saved.
The research team is continuing its study of the freshwater creatures, stream flows and structure of the Cotter River. For several years they have been measuring the reactions of the river and its ecosystems to changes in flow. Drought and fire have now added new dimensions to their study. Fortunately, many of the site markers the research team installed at the start of their work have survived the fires.
A number of Canberra research and management groups plan new studies on the fires' effects in the Cotter catchment. On Friday this week they will meet, with the aim of coordinating their activities. Associate Professor Ralph Ogden of the CRC for Freshwater Ecology is the contact person for the session.
Photos:
Photos of the recovering Cotter catchment (on-ground and aerial) are available.
For interview:
Dr Fiona Dyer, phone 6201 2267, email dyer@scides.canberra.edu.au
Associate Professor Richard Norris, phone 6201 2543, email Norris@lake.canberra.edu.au
Further information about the meeting on Friday:
Associate Professor Ralph Ogden, phone 6201 5369, email rogden@enterprise.canberra.edu.au |
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| Created: | 09/10/2004 04:18 PM |
| Lodged by: | Gail Ransom |
| Last modified: | 03/18/2005 01:19:03 PM |
| Modification history: | 09/10/2004 04:18:16 PM
09/10/2004 05:09:10 PM
09/10/2004 05:45:43 PM
09/24/2004 05:59:58 PM
09/28/2004 06:44:13 PM |
| Modified by: | CN=Gail Ransom/OU=UC/O=CRCFE |
| Document Id: | E1C6BBEFCC063976CA256F0B0022A201 |