Designing rapid on-ground reconnaissance surveys for post natural disaster (fire) to assess the status of species, ecological communities, habitats and threats

Date: 24, Nov, 2020
Author(s):   Darren Southwell
Publisher: TSR Hub

The 2019–20 bushfires were unprecedented in terms of their scale, intensity and timing. On-ground reconnaissance surveys are crucial for assessing the impact of the fires on native species. This project conducted a gap analysis of post-fire surveys across Australia for federally listed priority vertebrates. It aimed to predict the pre-fire distribution of priority species, and combine this information with remotely sensed fire severity maps and information on existing survey efforts to prioritise new survey locations. This project also reviewed design considerations for post-fire surveys with a focus on priority listed species.