Thesis abstract:

«p»Climate change is predicted to alter natural disturbance regimes, including that of wildfires. Wildfires are expected to become more frequent and more severe, affecting species and their associated ecosystems. In Australia, the 2019/20 wildfires caused widespread devastation to vegetation and animals alike. Despite this, it remains largely unknown how species interactions, species composition and ecosystem function will be affected by repeated events of this magnitude. A camera array in the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (BMWHA) has been established to determine how fire severity and frequency affect species composition, species survival and recovery, and overall ecosystem function. The BMWHA is an area of international significance due to its extraordinary floral and faunal biodiversity. It is a historically fire prone area, but due to climate change is experiencing increasingly more severe and frequent wildfires. This projects findings will contribute not just to the continued persistence and function of the BMWHA, but to the protection of similar areas of high ecological and conservation value.«/p»