BUSHFIRES AND KARST IN SOUTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES - 2001/2002 AND 2002/2003
ABSTRACT
Wild fires burnt across many significant karst areas in southern New South Wales in the summers of 2001/2002 and 2002/2003.
This paper describes some of the fires and their impacts - or lack thereof. Those in 2001/2002 had little impact. However, fire over the Cooleman, Yarrangobilly and Ravine karst areas this last summer was very dramatic - but not necessarily destructive.
Certainly there has been widespread vegetation alteration and there will be extensive soil loss. However, we can take the opportunity to have a better look at karst topography, think about the karst processes, time and judge what all this means for karst and its ecosystems.