The effect of patch area on birds in central Australian mulga (Acacia aneura) woodland of different times-since-fire.

A study at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park challenges the fire mosaic hypothesis, which posits that fine-scaled fire mosaics enhance biodiversity. Researchers found that while patch area did not significantly affect total bird density or species richness in mulga (Acacia aneura) woodland, it influenced the distribution of some bird species, with larger patches supporting higher densities for two key species. Notably, species turnover (ß-diversity) was greater in large patches within the burnt 2002 treatment compared to small patches. The study surveyed 55 fixed-area sites across different times-since-fire classes during winter and spring from 2005 to 2006, focusing on 20 key bird species. Contrary to expectations, patch area did not act as a mechanism for the fire mosaic hypothesis, as larger patches tended to increase avian diversity rather than smaller ones.

Leavesley, A. J., & Cary, G. J. (2013). The effect of patch area on birds in central Australian mulga (Acacia aneura) woodland of different times-since-fire. Pacific Conservation Biology, 19(1), 28–38. https://doi.org/10.1071/pc130028