The experiment comprises six different fire treatment plots, replicated three times (Blocks A, B & C). Each plot is one hectare in size, and the plots are laid out in a line along the western boundary of the Territory Wildlife Park. The six experimental fire regimes are described below:
E1
Early burn every year
E2
Early burn every 2 years
E3
Early burn every 3 years
E5
Early burn every 5 years
L3
Late burn every 3 years
Un
Unburned
Early burns are set in June at the start of the dry season, and late burns are set in September/October at the end of the dry season. Experimental burning will be conducted by the Bushfires Council NT, as part of the implementation of a broader Fire Management Plan for the Park.
Plot layout
A1
E3
A2
L3
A3
E1
A4
E5
A5
E2
A6
Un
B1
E5
B2
E1
B3
L3
B4
E3
B5
E2
B6
Un
C1
E3
C2
L3
C3
E1
C4
E5
C5
Un
C6
E2
Burn schedule
This provides us with an indication of which plots should be burnt each year. The burning schedule out to 2010 is as follows:
