Grampians National Park - After the Fire

Grampians National Park - After the Fire

Spring has arrived and so have the wildflowers...

Fire creates a bed of ash, high in nutrients and open spaces available for light to penetrate. Many orchids and lilies respond well to fire and this spring has seen many areas of forest dominated by the large flowering colonies of a variety of species.

Some ground dwelling species that have responded well include Red beaks, Sundews, Wallflowers, Wax lips, lizard orchids and Spider orchids. Grasses and ferns have an ability to re-sprout quickly, and the forest floor has turned to a sea of green in areas that have had a little more rainfall.

In many areas, particularly along the Dunkeld Road , flowering grass trees dominate the roadside along with the advanced Epicormic growth on the eucalypt (gum) trees. Seedlings are now beginning to show adult leaves. These seeds may have been dropped from protective seed pods during the fire or may have been stored in the soil since the adult tree died or a fire last passed through.

There are many fascinating responses to fire in this ancient landscape. Time will reveal more as recovery continues. Visit now and visit again - there are many amazing sights to be seen.


Grass trees in flower overlooking the Wannon Divide Photo:T. Parkes	Wax Lip - Glossodia major (Massive colonies have dominated the heathy forest floor.)	Tall Sundews – Drosera auriculata (mini forests of sundews still dominate the forest floor) Photo:T. Parkes

Lizard orchid – Burnietta cuneata (a rare sight of mass flowering after a fire) Photo: T. Parkes	Lomandra species in flower Photo:T Schoo	Hakea seedlings

Red Beak Orchids – Lyperanthus nigricans (Large colonies only flower after fire) Photo:T Schoo	Candy Spider Orchid Photo:T Schoo	Wallflowers - Large colonies produce a sea of yellow

Grass treesXanthorrhoea australis Before flowering…	Grass trees in Flower Photo:T. Parkes

There is plenty to see and do in this rugged mountain range, renowned for its breathtaking rock views, rich culture and stunning wildflower displays. After the January 2006 wildfire many changes have taken place. A great number of plant and animal species have developed special adaptions to survive and recover from fire, some even rely on fire for their life cycle.

Visitors to the Grampians will experience breathtaking scenery and the amazing vegetation recovery.

Fire creates a bed of ash which is high in nutrients and open spaces for light to penetrate. It also stimulates regrowth from root suckers and dormant buds under the bark of trees, and germinates seed stored in the soil. Leaves, bark, branches and trees from burnt vegetation often fall to the ground, creating new hollows and providing habitat for insects and smaller animals - the start of regeneration. This process speeds up as green shoots and grasses reappear. The pictures below show some of these amazing processes in progress.

Grass tree, Photo:Pete Walsh

The grasses: one of the first to return

The landscape is everchanging and a wonderful sight to experience

The regrowth of plants has already begun. Many plants respond well to fires such as grass trees, ferns, eucalypts, grasses and bracken. Other plants such as hakea and banksia are expected to flourish as the heat causes their seeds to drop, an important first step in the regeneration process. Many other species seeds remain dormant until fire.

Hakea Pods, Photo:Andrew Dennis

Sundew, Photo:Tom Parkes

Eucalypt epicormic shoot

1-2 weeks after the fire, Photo:Andrew Dennis

2 months after the fire, Photo:Pete Walsh

3 months on and the greater variety of plants can be seen

Ferns along a creek provide a wonderful setting

Leaf litter provides habitat for insects and some protection for seedlings. The scene is set for the return of animal life.

After early Autumn rains the regrowth flourishes

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