Animal taxa threatened by adverse fire regimes in Western Australia: a synthesis and outlook

Authors

• Tim S. Doherty, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
• Mark G. Allen, Murdoch University
• Karlene Bain, Python Ecological Services
• Stephen Beatty, Murdoch University
• Allan H. Burbidge, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
• Renee A. Catullo, University of Western Australia
• Sarah Comer, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
• Ben Corey, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
• Saul J. Cowen, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
• Robert A. Davis, Edith Cowan University
• Martin A. Dziminski, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
• J. Anthony Friend, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
• Bruce Greatwich, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
• Mark S. Harvey, University of Western Australia
• Hannah Killian, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
• Michael E. Klunzinger, WA Museum
• Damian C. Lettoof, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
• Nicola J. Mitchell, University of Western Australia
• Melinda Moir, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
• Harry A. Moore, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
• David L. Morgan, Murdoch University
• Ian J. Radford, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
• Michael J. Rix, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
• Tom Vigilante, Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation
• Adrian F. Wayne, University of Western Australia
• Corey Whisson, WA Museum
• Nicole Willers, University of Western Australia
• Matthew R. Williams, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-8-2026

Journal Title

Pacific Conservation Biology

ISSN

ISSN 1038-2097, EISSN 2204-4604

Keywords

biodiversity conservation, fire ecology, fire management, habitat preferences, inappropriate fire regimes, range-restricted, threatened species, wildlife.

Disciplines

Biodiversity | Entomology | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Natural Resources and Conservation

Abstract

Adverse fire regimes threaten biodiversity, potentially leading to population declines and increased extinction risk. Understanding how varying fire regimes affect threatened species is essential for effective ecosystem management, including in Western Australia where diverse ecosystems are exposed to wildfires, Indigenous burning, and prescribed fire. We compiled and synthesised data on the threat of adverse fire regimes to threatened animal taxa in Western Australia. Using a threat classification scheme, we ranked adverse fire regimes as having either no, low, medium, high, or unknown impact on each taxon. A total of 212 taxa were reviewed, 153 (72%) of which are considered fire-threatened: 29 high, 67 medium, 43 low, and 14 unknown impact. This includes 100% of threatened amphibians (3 taxa), 91% of threatened mammals (29), 71% of threatened invertebrates (85), 67% of threatened fish (6), 63% of threatened reptiles (10) and 61% of threatened birds (20). Only some bird (6), mammal (5), and invertebrate (18) taxa received a ranking of ‘high’. Across all fire-threatened taxa, we synthesised 330 fire response cases from 169 studies. Most taxa (75%) are considered fire-threatened due to small ranges and limited dispersal (primarily invertebrates and island taxa), with much smaller numbers reliant on long-unburnt vegetation ( > 10–40 years; 7%) or habitat features that take decades to form (e.g. tree hollows; 7%). Many taxa should be considered putatively fire-threatened until further information on their fire responses and the nature of fire regimes within their ranges is collected. We identify key research priorities to inform fire management and threatened species conservation.

Recommended Citation

Doherty TS, Allen MG, Bain K, Beatty SJ, Burbidge AH, Catullo RA, Comer S, Corey B, Cowen SJ, Davis RA, Dziminski MA, Friend JA, Greatwich B, Harvey MS, Killian H, Klunzinger MW, Lettoof DC, Mitchell NJ, Moir M, Moore HA, Morgan DL, Radford IJ, Rix MG, Vigilante T, Wayne AF, Whisson C, Willers N, Williams MR. (2026) Animal taxa threatened by adverse fire regimes in Western Australia: a synthesis and outlook. Pacific Conservation Biology 32, PC25051. https://doi.org/10.1071/PC25051